If you like a good sandwich, you’ll love this hearty Reuben Sandwich made with melted Swiss cheese, satisfying corned beef, and tangy sauerkraut. It’s a beloved deli classic that you’ll want to make again and again!

Classic Reuben Sandwich

A good Reuben sandwich is more than just a quick bite – it’s an experience. I say that because the sandwich ingredients are all so different and bring a lot of bold, contrasting flavors to the recipe. This isn’t the kind of sammich you bring to work in a baggie. It’s a melty, saucy, meaty recipe that may or may not get a little messy – in a good way!

On top of all of the amazing ingredients at play (seriously, corned beef and sauerkraut alone is a drool-worthy combo), this is a grilled sandwich. Meaning that the bread is buttery and toasty… the cheese is melty and… it’s. so. good.

Why Is the Sandwich Called a Reuben?

This is a hotly debated question. Some claim that the Reuben Sandwich was invented by Arnold Reuben, a New York restaurant and deli owner, in 1914. Others say the kitchen manager of the Blackstone Hotel in 1920’s Omaha, Nebraska made the sandwich for his poker buddy, a guy named – you guessed it – Reuben.

These two stories have been compared and argued over quite a bit, but the main thing we all need to remember is this: Reuben sandwiches are delicious. We should all make more of them. That is all.

The Ingredients You’ll Need

Leaving controversy aside, what do you need to make a Reuben sandwich? The ingredients are very straightforward. You will need:

• Bread: Rye bread is the traditional choice.
• Butter: Soften the butter so you can spread it on the bread.
• Russian Dressing: See below for the ingredients for homemade Russian dressing.
• Swiss Cheese: I like to use a generous amount of Swiss cheese! You can use a bit less if you prefer.
• Corned Beef: Thinly sliced corned beef – you can get this at most grocery store delis and deli sections.
• Sauerkraut: Drain the sauerkraut well, so that you don’t get a soggy sandwich.
• Pickles and Potato Chips: For serving, optional.

Russian Dressing Ingredients

• Mayonnaise and Sour Cream: To make the creamy salad dressing base.
• Ketchup and Chili Sauce: These give the sauce its iconic color and that sweet, spicy, tomato-ey flavor. You can use a hot chili sauce or a sweet chili sauce, according to your taste – or just use all ketchup.
• Hot Sauce: For a little kick. If you don’t like hot sauce, feel free to leave it out. 
• Shallot: Peeled and grated.
• Horseradish: Horseradish is related to mustard and wasabi. If you don’t like spicy food, you can leave this out, but it adds a lot of flavor, so I recommend using it.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Worcestershire sauce adds so much flavor! It’s a strong-tasting sauce, so remember that a little goes a long way.
• Salt and Pepper
• Paprika: Sweet paprika. If you like, you could use hot paprika or smoked paprika, but sweet adds a more neutral, earthy taste.

Is a Reuben Sandwich Made with Corned Beef or Pastrami?

You might have seen Reuben sandwiches made with pastrami – and of course, pastrami on rye is a pretty amazing sandwich. However, a traditional Reuben is made with corned beef. Still, if you’d like to swap the corned beef for pastrami, go for it! 

How to Make an Authentic Reuben Sandwich

Let’s get into the cooking method for making a classic Reuben sandwich. It’s easy, especially if you’re already comfortable making sandwiches like grilled cheese. Here’s how to do it.

• Make the Dressing. In a bowl, whisk together all of the dressing ingredients until smooth. Taste the dressing, and adjust the seasoning as needed. Cover the Russian dressing and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, to allow the flavors to meld.

• Assemble the Sandwich. You’ll want the outside of the bread slices buttered, for grilling. Spread Russian dressing on the inside. Then layer the ingredients in this order: 2 slices of Swiss cheese, the corned beef, the sauerkraut, and two more slices of cheese.

• Grill the Sandwich. Next, heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Carefully place the sandwich on the heated skillet, and cover it with a lid. Let the sandwich gently grill for about 3 minutes per side, or until the bread is golden and crispy and the cheese is melted. 

Tips for Success

Are you excited to make your own deli-style Reuben at home? It’s destined to become a favorite. But before you start layering and grilling, be sure to check out these helpful tips:

• Bread Options: If you don’t have rye, or just want to change things up a bit, try serving this sandwich on rye-pumpernickel swirl, plain pumpernickel bread, or sourdough.
• Fry the Sauerkraut: If you want to be a little extra, get out a second skillet and lightly fry the drained sauerkraut in oil for a caramelized addition to the sandwich.
• Russian Dressing: It’s not necessary to make the dressing. Use bottled Russian dressing, Thousand Island dressing, or a mix of mayo, ketchup, and Worcestershire.

What Do You Serve with a Reuben Sandwich?

Chips or pickles are great with a Reuben. Almost any deli- or picnic-style side would be a good choice, though. Try these and you’ll see what I mean:

• Potato Wedges: Everyone loves warm, garlicky potato wedges. This recipe for Grilled Potato Wedges is easy to make, whether you heat up a grill or use a grill pan.
• Potato Salad: Who could resist homemade potato salad? This American Classic Potato Salad is so creamy and satisfying. Plus, you can make it ahead of time.
• Soup: A cup of Roasted Tomato Basil Soup is one of my favorite dishes to serve with any sandwich, especially a cheesy, grilled sandwich like this one.

Storing and Reheating

• The Russian dressing will keep for up to a week in your fridge, but I don’t recommend refrigerating the actual sandwich for more than a day or so. Sandwiches like this can become very soggy if they aren’t enjoyed fresh.

Can I Freeze This?

• Actually, yes – you can make extra Reuben sandwiches and freeze them ahead of time for a quick, easy dinner later on. Just make the sandwiches as directed, and then allow them to cool to room temperature. Wrap in a layer of plastic wrap, and then place in freezer bags. Press out as much air as you can before sealing. 
• Freeze the Reuben sandwiches for up to one month. To serve, unwrap the sandwiches and bake at 400°F until heated through – about 20 minutes.

More Savory Sandwich Recipes

• Baked Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
• Classic Patty Melts
• Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe