Reuben Sandwich (2024)

This classic Reuben Sandwich is a satisfying and filling lunch or dinner. My homemade Russian Dressing is the perfect condiment to the sandwich, with its slightly spicier taste. I also have a Thousand Island Dressing that you could use if you prefer a sweeter-tasting Reuben Sandwich.

Reuben Sandwich

As a kid, I never liked sauerkraut, so I shied away from ever enjoying this popular Reuben Sandwich. I was definitely missing out! Since my taste buds have decreased (which they do as we get older), I actually have become of fan of sauerkraut’s salty and sour flavor! Plus, sauerkraut actually has some health benefits.

Okay, now that I have convinced you to give sauerkraut another chance if you were not already on board, you can pile it on my Reuben Sandwich. I loved this sandwich so much, that I went ahead and created Reuben Sliders!

Ingredients & Substitutions

This is a pretty classic take on a Reuben Sandwich, but I think my herbed butter takes it to an even more flavorful level, and it’s so easy to make!

• Corned beef:Deli-style corned beef worked just fine for this sandwich. I prefer a thicker cut and that is what I request at the deli. If you like a thinner cut, it works perfectly in this recipe as well! If corned beef is not your thing, I will have some variations you can try at the end of the recipe.
• Marble Rye bread:I bought the marble rye bread from the bakery section at a local grocery store, and it was delicious! You can use whatever bread you have on hand.
• Russian Dressing:As I stated at the beginning of this post, I made my own Russian dressing for the Reuben Sandwich, but you could use store-bought dressing as well. Or, don’t forget about Thousand Island dressing as an option.
• Swiss cheese:Swiss cheese is generally used for a Reuben Sandwich because of its mild flavor. You may also try mozzarella or provolone cheese, two more mild-tasting kinds of cheese.

What is the Difference Between Thousand Island and Russian Dressing?

Although Thousand Island Dressing and Russian Dressing can be used interchangeably, there is a difference between the two. Thousand Island dressing is more on the sweeter side whereas Russian dressing has a bit more tanginess and sharpness to it.

I refer to Russian dressing as my ‘spicier, sassier relative’ to Thousand Island. Both are delicious on a Reuben, so use your preferred dressing.

Can I Make a Reuben Sandwich Without Sauerkraut?

Well, you could, but then it really would not be a Reuben. Sauerkraut actually has some health benefits, being that it is a good source of fiber and the fermented cabbage produces probiotics that keep our digestive system on track. So, I would encourage you to give it a try on the sandwich!

Variations of a Reuben Sandwich

For some variations of this classic Reuben Sandwich, try it with fish, like Walleye, Grouper, or Tilapia! Of course, being in Minnesota, the walleye variation makes total sense to me 😀. You could also replace the corned beef and sauerkraut with pastrami and coleslaw to make the “Rachel” version. Not a meat-eater? You can make this Reuben Sandwich vegetarian style as well. Simply substitute the corned beef with zucchini, cucumbers, or mushrooms.