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This corned beef Reuben sandwich is stacked with tender corned beef, tangy sauerkraut, melty Swiss cheese, and creamy Reuben sauce, then grilled until golden and crisp. It’s a classic deli-style sandwich you can easily make at home.
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What is a Reuben Sandwich
A classic Reuben sandwich is made with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and zesty Reuben sauce layered between slices of rye bread. It’s grilled until the bread is crisp and the cheese is melted. The combination of savory corned beef, tangy sauerkraut, nutty Swiss, and creamy dressing creates the signature balance that makes a Reuben so popular.
How I Perfected The Corned Beef Reuben
My obsession with homemade Reuben sandwiches started decades ago while working at an Irish restaurant, where I ate far more than my fair share. It quickly turned into a lifelong quest to find one that could match theirs. Years later, while managing a deli, I added a classic corned beef Reuben to the menu, inspired by all that field testing. Countless sandwiches later, I am convinced the best Reuben sandwich strikes the perfect balance of tangy, savory, salty, and sweet with just a little spice. Now I am sharing my easy recipe so you can make a classic-inspired corned beef sandwich in your own kitchen.
What You’ll Need
- Corned Beef – Deli-sliced works for convenience, but cooking your own corned beef gives better flavor and value, especially if you’re making more than a few sandwiches.
- Sauerkraut – The tangy bite balances the richness of the corned beef and cheese. Packaged sauerkraut works perfectly for this recipe.
- Swiss Cheese – Mild, slightly sweet, and nutty, Swiss melts beautifully and gives a classic grilled Reuben its signature texture.
- Rye Bread – Traditional rye gives the sandwich its distinct flavor and structure. Jewish rye, Russian rye, sourdough rye, or marble rye all work well.
- Butter – A thin layer on the outside of the bread helps create that golden, crisp finish when grilled on a skillet or griddle.
- Reuben Sauce – A creamy, zesty dressing made with mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire, and a touch of heat. It’s similar to Russian dressing, and Thousand Island is also a popular substitute.
How to Cook Corned Beef for Reuben Sandwiches
While deli-sliced corned beef works, cooking your own delivers better flavor and value, especially if you’re planning leftovers. Tender, sliceable corned beef makes a big difference in a homemade Reuben sandwich. For an easy from-scratch option, try my Instant Pot Corned Beef or Slow Cooker Corned Beef. Both are perfect for piling onto rye with Swiss, sauerkraut, and creamy Reuben sauce.
How to Make a Reuben Sandwich
Start with the Reuben sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, horseradish, ketchup, sriracha, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
Prep the sandwich: Preheat a skillet over medium heat, butter the rye bread slices, and place them in the skillet butter-side down. Spread Reuben sauce on the top-facing sides, add Swiss cheese, warmed corned beef, and well-drained sauerkraut. Of course, you can add another layer of Swiss cheese if you like.
Grill the Reuben: Cook until the rye bread is golden and crisp and the cheese is melted, flipping once as needed.
Serve your delicious Reuben. Cut in half, serve, and devour!
Variations
If you’d like to change things up, swap the corned beef for sliced roasted turkey breast or pastrami to make a Rachel. You can also bake the sandwiches if you’re making several at once. Assemble with the outside buttered, and bake on a sheet pan in a 350°F preheated oven loosely covered for about 15 minutes, or until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted.
What to Serve with a Reuben
For a fresh twist, whip up this easy coleslaw recipe to replace the sauerkraut or serve it on the side for crunch. Store-bought kosher or homemade refrigerator dill pickles add the perfect tangy bite to a hot Reuben. For a heartier plate, serve with crispy baked smashed potatoes or dill red potato salad.
📖 Recipe
Corned Beef Reuben Sandwich
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Video
Note about scaling
When scaling, the light gray ingredient notes after the comma don’t change. Adjust as needed.
Ingredients
For the Reuben Sauce
- ¼ cup Mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons Ketchup
- 1 teaspoon Horseradish
- ½ teaspoon Sriracha
- ⅛ teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- pinch Salt and Black Pepper, to taste
For the Reuben Sandwich
- ½ pound Cooked Corned Beef
- 1 tablespoon Butter, softened
- 4 slices Rye Bread
- 4 slices Swiss Cheese
- ½ cup Sauerkraut, drained
Instructions
Make the Reuben Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together MAYONNAISE, KETCHUP, HORSERADISH, SRIRACHA, WORCESTERSHIRE, SALT, and PEPPER until smooth. Set aside.
Make the Reuben Sandwich
- Preheat a large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat.
- Add the CORNED BEEF to the warm skillet and heat gently just until warmed through, about 1–2 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Butter one side of each slice of RYE BREAD. Place two slices of bread, butter-side down, in the skillet and spread Reuben sauce on the top sides.
- Layer SWISS CHEESE, warmed CORNED BEEF, and well-drained SAUERKRAUT. Top with another slice of SWISS CHEESE and close the sandwich, butter-side facing out.
- Cook 3–4 minutes, until the bottom is golden brown. Carefully flip and cook another 3–4 minutes, pressing gently with a spatula, until the cheese is melted and the bread is crisp.
- Rest a few minutes before slicing. Serve warm.
Recipe Notes
Equipment
- mixing bowl for the sauce
- 12 inch skillet or griddle
Nutrition
Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary based on brands, ingredients, and portions.
Heidi says
This is one good looking and incredibly tasty sandwich! Your lovely homemade corned beef gives the sandwich such a wonderful, flavorful upgrade. And your simple, homemade reuben sauce is a delicious must. This is just what my St. Patty's day was looking for!
Traci says
Yay!! Thank you for reaching out. It's my fav hot sandwich for sure! Enjoy 🙂 Have a great St Pat's Day!
Sheila says
Sandwiches came out awesome. Followed receipe.
Traci says
Yay! So glad to hear you enjoyed them. Such a favorite! Thanks for trying my recipe!
debbie wheaton says
My husband said “that Reuben is money!”. Which means he loves it and thinks I could sell it…lol. I didn’t make my own Russian dressing this time but I definitely will the next time. I actually hadn’t seen Russian dressing in the grocery store in a long time so I just grabbed a bottle. But yours sounds delish! I used my corned beef from St. Patty’s day (I actually cooked a whole separate one just for Reuben’s bc they are my favorite sandwich…ever.
Traci says
Woohoo!! Husband-approved is the best! Just like you, I bought a separate round of corned beef just for Reuben's too LOL. Great minds! Thank you for bringing my recipe into your kitchen – and for coming back to leave this feedback. Enjoy!!
Alison Libby says
I make mine the same way, but thanks for the tip to warm the meat first. Makes perfect sense. I will try your sauce in the future. And I am a 2 cheese cook, top and bottom. I think it makes flipping easier.
Traci says
Yay! So glad you're enjoying my method. And yes to the Reuben sauce! It's my favorite. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Ana F. says
My hubby is a loves a good Reuben Sandwich and this one did not disappoint! He's asking for me to make it again already lol! The sauce came out so good. Thanks for the recipe!
Traci says
Awesome and you are so welcome! This is music to my ears 🙂 Yes, the Reuben sauce is a must! So glad you enjoyed and thanks for the comment. Cheers!
Maayke says
I've never had a Reuben sandwich before but it looks fantastic! I will definitely try this recipe!
Traci says
Yay! So glad you can enjoy this one 🙂 Thanks so much. Enjoy!
Jill says
Well now I'm hungry! I appreciate that your recipe has a homemade sauce. That totally puts it over the top. Thank you for the recipe!!
Shashi says
That sauce is money! This is one heck of a good looking Reuben!
Ned says
My boy and I made these and totally enjoyed em! Thank you for an awesome sandwich recipe that I can keep coming back to. Thank you!
Traci says
Awesome, Ned! Glad to hear it was enjoyed by both of you 🙂 Thanks for saying so! Cheers!
Stephanie says
I had my first reuben at 46 years old. My daughter had ordered food, and they brought her a reuben instead of what she ordered. So I ate it. And it was AMAZING! I haven't had one in a while, but I'm definitely making this shortly!
Traci says
Yay! I'm glad you can enjoy this one. Enjoy!
Dannii says
I never knew that was how the sauce was made. I can't wait to give this a try.
Traci says
Thanks! I'm glad you can enjoy this one. Enjoy!
Amanda says
What a perfect sandwich, with just the right amount of crunch and meat.
Traci says
Yes! I'm glad you can enjoy this one. Thanks so much!
Kushigalu says
LOve the combination of flavors in this sandwich recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Traci says
You're so welcome! The Reuben sandwich is definitely known for flavor which is why it's one of my favorites, for sure! Enjoy!
Sara Welch says
This was everything a gourmet sandwich should be, and then some! Easily, a new favorite recipe; hands down delicious!
Traci says
Yay! So glad you love it as much as I do 🙂 It's an easy fav here too! Thanks. Enjoy!
JB says
This grilled Reuben is as good as any you'd get in a deli. You don't really think you need a Reuben sandwich recipe ... until you go to make one LOL. I love your step by step instructions and your Russian dressing knocks it out of the park! Another winner KG!
The Kitchen Girl says
You're so right about needing a recipe, or at least the steps 🙂 I'm glad you love it as much as I do!
Alisa Infanti says
Such a classic. This recipe nailed it!
The Kitchen Girl says
Yay! Glad you enjoyed 🙂 Thanks!
Tayler Ross says
We made these reubens over the weekend and OMG were they fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!
The Kitchen Girl says
Yayyy! So glad you enjoyed 🙂 They're one of my favorite sandwiches for sure! Thanks!
Sara Welch says
This was everything a gourmet sandwich should be, and then some! So hearty and delicious; easily, a new favorite recipe!
The Kitchen Girl says
Ohhh I'm so glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the feedback. Reuben sandwich is one of my top favorites for sure! 🙂
Jamie says
This reuben sandwich made a hearty and satisfying lunch! My family loved it!
The Kitchen Girl says
Awesome!! Thanks for letting me know and glad everyone enjoyed 🙂
Kris says
Absolute perfect textures and flavors! Thank you for another winner. 🙂
The Kitchen Girl says
Yayy! So glad you're enjoying it 🙂 Thanks!