Reuben Sandwiches

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Looking for a classic sandwich that is served warm?   Try our delicious Reubens with thin sliced corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and homemade thousand island dressing.

Every once in a while I go looking for an easy to make dinner.  This usually consists of making an entree salad, a one pot meal, or a sandwich.  

I’ve made a few sandwiches and wraps that I’ve really enjoyed. When we want a hearty sandwich in the summer our go to is the Hezzi-D Club Sandwich.  Another summer favorite is a cross between a wrap and a salad.  It’s the Chicken Caesar Lettuce Wrap. 

Of course most of the year I tend to go with hot sandwiches.  We love these Fried Tofu Sandwiches with slaw on top.  I can also get behind a Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese for dinner when I’ve had a hard day.

But one of my husband’s favorite sandwiches is a Reuben.   I try to make them a few times a year whenever corned beef is on sale.   I also make a turkey version of them for myself.

The thing that makes these sandwiches is the homemade thousand island dressing.  It’s so easy to make but it is so good on these sandwiches.

What is Thousand Island Dressing?

Thousand Island dressing is a creamy, tangy salad dressing and condiment made from mayonnaise, ketchup, pickles, sugar, and other ingredients like vinegar and spices.   It’s usually a pinkish orange color.

Another important part of this sandwich is the bread.   Don’t just use any old bread that you have laying around in the kitchen.  Get a good, hearty bread for this sandwich.

What type of bread can I use?

The classic sandwich uses a marble rye and that is what I prefer.  However, I can’t always find that.  Good alternatives are rye bread, pumpernickle bread, or sourdough bread.   It needs to be a hearty bread to hold up to all the ingredients.

Finally, the meat matters too.  Don’t just go and buy a hunk of corned beef and think you can cook it and it’ll be ready to go.  If you’ve never made corned beef before head to your deli and get them to slice you some.

What kind of Corned Beef should I use?

I always just buy deli meat corned beef.   Make sure to have them slice it thinly or shave it for you.  You don’t want thick pieces of corned beef on this sandwich.  You can also use corned beef that you’ve made at home as long as you are able to slice it thin.

Ingredients:

• corned beef
• Swiss cheese
• sauerkraut
• mayonnaise
• ketchup
• pickles (or pickle relish)
• onions (optional)
• Worcestershire sauce
• salt and pepper
• marble rye bread (or another hearty bread)

To make the sandwiches first start by combining all the ingredients for the thousand island dressing in a small bowl.  Mix well and refrigerate until ready to use.

Preheat the broiler.   In a small skillet heat the corned beef for 2-3 minutes over medium high heat or until it’s hot.  Remove from heat.  Spread butter on 4 slices of marble rye bread.  Put on a baking pan, butter side up, and broil 6 inches from heat for 1 minute.  Flip the bread over and place 2 slices of Swiss cheese on 2 slices of the bread.   Put sauerkraut on the other 2 slices of bread.  Broil 1 minute.  Place corned beef on top of the sauerkraut and the dressing on top of the corned beef.  Broil for an additional minute.  Top with the bread that has Swiss cheese on it.

This sandwich is so good!  The bread is toasted on the outside but the inside holds the melted cheese, corned beef, tangy sauerkraut, and creamy thousand island dressing.   Feel free to put some dressing on the side to dip your sandwich in!

Can I make the reuben ahead of time?

Because of the sauce and the sauerkraut you cannot make these ahead of time or else the bread will get terribly soggy.  The one thing you can make ahead of time is the dressing.  It can be made up to 3 days in advance and placed in the refrigerator.

We enjoy these sandwiches along with French fries, chips, or cole slaw.  Of course you can always serve them with macaroni salad, potato salad, or a side salad.

Reuben Sandwiches

Reubens with thin sliced corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and homemade thousand island dressing.

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 sandwiches

Author: Hezzi-D

Equipment

• 1 baking sheet
• 1 Mixing Bowl

Ingredients

For the sandwich:

• 8 slices marble rye bread
• 8 slices Swiss cheese
• 4 oz. corned beef thinly sliced
• 1 cup sauerkraut

For the Thousand Island Dressing:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 Tablespoons ketchup
• 2 Tablespoons finely minced pickles or pickle relish
• 1 Tablespoon finely minced onions optional
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

• In a small bowl combine all the ingredients for the dressing. Mix thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour before using.
• In a small skillet oven medium heat saute the corned beef until it is hot.
• Preheat the broiler to high. Place marble rye slices on a heavy baking sheet. Butter one side of each slice of bread. Broil 6 inches from heat for 1 minute per side. Remove from oven and flip over.
• Place 2 slices of Swiss cheese on 4 slices of the bread. Place 1/4 cup of sauerkraut on the other 4 slices of bread. Broil for 1 minute.
• Remove from the oven. Divide the corned beef and place on top of the sauerkraut. Place a tablespoon of dressing on top of the corned beef. Broil for 1 minute.
• Top with the bread that has the Swiss cheese on it. Serve immediately.

Notes

A Hezzi-D Original recipe