Best Reuben Sandwich Recipe

Stacked Reuben sandwich with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese on toasted rye

This classic Reuben sandwich recipe is made with rye bread, corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing for a hot, crispy deli-style sandwich at home.

Marina Sestan

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 12

Total Time 22

Serving Size sandwiches

Ingredients

4 slices of rye bread
6 pieces of corned beef or roasted deli beef thinly sliced
8 slices of Swiss cheese
4-6 tbsp Sauerkraut well drained
3 tbsp Russian dressing or Thousand Island dressing
2 tbsp butter for grilling

Instructions

Butter the bread

Spread butter on the outside of each slice of rye bread.

Build the sandwiches

On the inside of 2 bread slices, spread the Russian dressing. Top each with 2 slices of Swiss cheese, 3 slices of corned beef, and 2 to 3 tablespoons of drained sauerkraut. Add 2 more slices of Swiss cheese on top, then close with the remaining bread slices, butter side facing out.

Drain the sauerkraut very well so the bread stays crisp.

Grill the sandwiches

Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place the sandwiches in the pan and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until the bread is golden brown and crisp and the Swiss cheese is melted.

Medium heat works best so the bread toasts without burning before the cheese melts.

Rest and serve

Let the sandwiches rest for 1 minute, then slice and serve hot.

Notes

Tips

Russian dressing gives a sharper, more classic deli taste.
Thousand Island dressing works too if you like a sweeter dressing.
A quality rye loaf gives the sandwich a stronger deli style.
Serve with pickles, coleslaw, or potato chips for a classic deli-style menu.

Variations

Use pastrami instead of corned beef for a deli-style twist.
Make it on a panini press if you want extra crisp bread.
Turn the recipe into baked sliders for a party or St. Patrick’s Day spread.
Use roast beef if that is what you have, though a true classic Reuben usually uses corned beef.
Light rye is a good option if you want a milder bread flavor.

Easy Russian Dressing Option

If you want homemade Russian dressing, mix mayonnaise, chili sauce, minced dill pickles, horseradish, paprika, and a little Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl. It gives the sandwich a creamy texture and bold flavor that works especially well with corned beef and Swiss cheese.

Storage and Make-Ahead

This sandwich is best served fresh while the bread is crisp and the filling is warm. You can prep the ingredients ahead by draining the sauerkraut, slicing the cheese, and mixing the dressing, but cook the sandwich right before serving for the best texture.