Name: Reuben Sandwich
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 8 slices rye bread; 4 tablespoons butter; ½ cup thousand island dressing; 4 slices Swiss cheese; 1 cup sauerkraut (drained and squeezed dry); 16 ounces corned beef (* sliced)

Reuben sandwiches are a deli favorite for good reason, with crispy rye bread, melty Swiss cheese, tangy sauerkraut, and layers of savory corned beef. They’re easy to make at home in just 20 minutes and every bite is rich, crispy, and loaded with flavor.

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Flavor: Savory corned beef, tangy sauerkraut, creamy dressing, and nutty Swiss in every bite.
Pro Tip: Spread mayo on the outside of the bread for extra-even browning and an ultra-crispy crust.
Serving Suggestions: I love serving it with extra dressing for dipping. I often pair a Reuben with classic deli sides like chips, pickles, and coleslaw.

Key Ingredients That Matter

Corned Beef: Use store-bought deli slices or leftover homemade corned beef. Slightly thicker slices work especially well, just ask at the deli counter. Pastrami is also a delicious option.
Sauerkraut: Use sauerkraut in a jar or can, but make sure to squeeze it very well so it doesn’t make the sandwich soggy.
Swiss Cheese: Swiss cheese is classic and melty. Use 2 slices per sandwich for maximum melt, or try baby Swiss for a milder bite.
Dressing: I love Thousand Island dressing for a Reuben. It can be swapped for Russian dressing, or mix mayo, ketchup, and chopped pickles for a quick homemade version.
Variations: If your rye is mild, sprinkle in a few caraway seeds to boost the flavor. For extra cheesy goodness, add another slice of Swiss or a thin layer of shredded Swiss for even, melty coverage in every bite. Add some horseradish and a sprinkle of paprika for a spicier bite.

open faced reuben sandwich in a frying pan

How to Make a Reuben Sandwich

Butter one side of each slice of bread and spread the dressing on the other side.
Layer with Swiss, sauerkraut, and beef. Top with the second slice.
Place the butter side down in a skillet. Cook until golden (full recipe below).

half of a reuben sandwich on a wood plate

For the perfect crisp: Use medium-low heat so the bread crisps slowly while the cheese melts.
To prevent soggy bread: Squeeze sauerkraut very dry with paper towels.
For a warm Reuben: If using thick or extra meat, warm the corned beef first so the center heats before the bread gets too dark.
For the perfect melt: Add a skillet lid for 30 to 60 seconds to help the Swiss melt faster (just keep an eye on the browning).

Make-Ahead and Storage Smarts

Reubens are crispiest right out of the skillet. Store Reuben ingredients separately when possible.

Cooked corned beef will keep for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. If already grilled, the assembled sandwich will keep in the fridge for up to 1 day. Avoid freezing. Reheat in a warm skillet over low heat, flipping once, until crisp again.

More Leftover Corned Beef Recipes

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image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

5 from 42 votes

Author Holly Nilsson

Reuben Sandwich

Author Holly Nilsson

Servings 4 sandwiches

A classic Reuben Sandwich with crisp rye, melty Swiss, tangy sauerkraut, and savory corned beef, grilled until golden.

Save Rate Print

Servings 4 sandwiches

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Equipment

Skillet

Ingredients

▢ 8 slices rye bread
▢ 4 tablespoons butter
▢ ½ cup thousand island dressing
▢ 4 slices Swiss cheese
▢ 1 cup sauerkraut drained and squeezed dry
▢ 16 ounces corned beef * sliced

Instructions

Butter each slice of bread. Place 4 slices, butter side down, on the table or a cutting board.
Spread the slices with 1 tablespoon dressing and top with 1 slice of cheese (or more to taste), ¼ of the sauerkraut and ¼ of the corned beef.
Spread remaining dressing on the second piece of bread and place on top of sandwich, butter side out.
Place in a skillet over medium low heat and cook until just golden and crisp. Flip and cook on remaining side.
Cut in half and serve with additional dressing for dipping.

Notes

Corned Beef: Use leftover cooked corned beef or deli corned beef. Ask the deli to slice the corned beef extra thick if possible.

If you are loading up your sandwich with lots of meat or using thick corned beef, I find it best to heat the corned beef first. This ensures a hot sandwich without the bread burning.

For a nice crispy exterior, use mayonnaise in place of the butter on the outside of the bread.

5 from 42 votes

Nutrition Information

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine American

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