Reuben Sandwich
Corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Russian dressing between rye, griddled in butter until the cheese runs and the bread is lacquered. A New York deli institution with a contested origin story.
Photograph credit: Reuben sandwich by sarahstierch · CC0 1.0 · Flickr
Method
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Whisk all the dressing ingredients together and chill 15 minutes.
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Squeeze the sauerkraut hard in a clean cloth until no more liquid comes out. Do this twice.
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Warm the corned beef briefly in a dry pan or steamer so it is not fridge-cold in the finished sandwich.
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Butter one side of each slice of rye. Lay four slices butter-side down.
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On each, build in this order: a slice of cheese, dressing, corned beef, sauerkraut, more dressing, a second slice of cheese. The cheese on both sides seals the wet filling away from the bread.
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Top with the remaining slices, butter side up.
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Griddle in a heavy pan over medium-low heat for 4 to 5 minutes, pressing gently with a spatula, until deep golden.
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Flip carefully and cook 4 minutes more, until the second side is browned and the cheese has fully melted at the edges.
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Rest 2 minutes, then cut in half on the diagonal and serve with pickles.
Chef’s Tips
- Medium-low heat. A Reuben cooked hot is burnt outside with cold cheese in the middle.
- Cheese against both slices of bread creates a moisture barrier. This is the professional trick.
- A Rachel swaps the corned beef for turkey and the sauerkraut for coleslaw, and is excellent in its own right.
Pairing Suggestions
- A dill pickle spear, non-negotiable
- Potato crisps or fries
- A cold lager or a cream soda
Storage & Reheating
Eat immediately. The dressing keeps 1 week refrigerated and is excellent on anything.
Common questions
How long does Reuben Sandwich take to make?
About 20 minutes in total — 10 minutes of preparation and 10 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 2.
What are the key tips for making Reuben Sandwich?
Medium-low heat. A Reuben cooked hot is burnt outside with cold cheese in the middle. Cheese against both slices of bread creates a moisture barrier. This is the professional trick. A Rachel swaps the corned beef for turkey and the sauerkraut for coleslaw, and is excellent in its own right.
What should I serve with Reuben Sandwich?
A dill pickle spear, non-negotiable; Potato crisps or fries; A cold lager or a cream soda.
How should Reuben Sandwich be stored?
Eat immediately. The dressing keeps 1 week refrigerated and is excellent on anything.
Is Reuben Sandwich suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is high-protein and no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Reuben Sandwich?
About 842 kcal per serving, with 46 g protein, 48 g carbohydrate and 52 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Nutritional Highlights
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.