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Reuben Sandwich with Homemade Russian Dressing

Juicy homemade Reuben Sandwich Recipe. Slices of rye bread piled with corned beef, cheese and loaded with sauerkraut and a homemade tangy Russian dressing. This Reuben is everything a grilled sandwich should be.

Homemade Reuben Sandwich stacked with a side of chips.

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Hey, hey! Valentina with Valentina’s Corner sharing the BEST Reuben Sandwich Recipe!

What is a Reuben Sandwich?

A classic Reuben is a sandwich consisting of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, Russian dressing between slices of rye bread that is grilled until the bread is crispy and the cheese melts.

Though the sandwich may be enjoyed hot or cold, we love serving it HOT. The meat is heated and cheese melts and the tangy dressing penetrates into the sauerkraut creating an irresistible grilled sandwich.

All of the needed ingredients for a Reuben arranged on a board.

What Ingredients go on a Reuben Sandwich?

  • MEAT- Corned beef that’s store-bought (deli dept), or use leftover homemade corned beef.
  • SAUERKRAUT- Homemade Sauerkraut or storebought will work great.
  • DRESSING- Tangy homemade Russian dressing.
  • CHEESE-  Swiss cheese is the classic cheese used.

How to Make a Reuben Sandwich?

  1. Prepare the Russian dressing – just stir it together.
  2. Butter one side of each slice of bread.
  3. Add the dressing, corned beef, sauerkraut and cheese to the bread and close to create a sandwich.
  4. Cook both sides of the bread slices as a grilled cheese until the cheese melts and bread slices are crispy.

Detailed step-by-step collage how to make a traditional Reuben Sandwich recipe.

How to Make Russian Dressing?

Though you can purchase Russian dressing or even substitute with Thousand Island dressing instead, the homemade dressing is SO GOOD and really easy to make.

  • In a bowl, whisk together the mayo, chili garlic sauce, lemon juice, creamy horseradish, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, onion, paprika, salt and pepper until creamy.

TIPS for Making a Reuben-

  • Bread- You want to make sure to use a good quality rye bread as it adds so much flavor to the sandwich.
  • Sauerkraut- Be sure to drain as much liquid from the sauerkraut as you can or the sandwich will be soggy. TIP- If you don’t like sauerkraut, you can use Coleslaw instead.
  • Garlic butter- If you really like garlic, sprinkle some garlic powder over the butter spread on the bread slices before cooking the sandwich.
  • Meat- Though corned beef is the classic meat used in a Reuben, you can substitute for pastrami.
  • Panini- You can use a panini press or a griddle to cook the sandwich instead of a skillet if you have one.
  • Dressing- The dressing does have some heat in it from the chili garlic sauce. If you don’t like spicy food, add the sauce to taste.

Classic Reuben on a plate with pickles and chips.

This Reuben Sandwich is not only great for a hearty lunch, but it’s also just as good for a quick dinner served with Baked Potato Wedges!

More Sandwich Recipes:

Classic Reuben Sandwich Recipe

5 from 169 votes
Author: Valentina Ablaev
Reuben Sandwich Stacked and loaded with meat, coleslaw and Russian dressing
Once you try this homemade Classic Reuben Sandwich Recipe, you'll never order it at a restaurant again. Slices of rye bread with corned beef, sauerkraut, Russian dressing, and cheese - grilled until crispy!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 3 servings

Sandwich-

  • 1/2 lb corned beef
  • ½ tsp olive oil
  • 6 slices rye bread
  • 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temp
  • 1/2 cup sauerkraut, drained
  • 6 slices Swiss cheese

Russian Dressing-

Instructions

  • In a bowl combine all the ingredients for the Russian Dressing, set aside.
  • In a skillet, over medium heat, add oil. Once hot, add the meat and cook just until heated.
  • Lightly butter one side of each slice of bread. Place the bread (butter side down) on a plate.
  • Add the toppings to each sandwich: Spread the dressing, top with the meat, cheese and sour kraut. Close bread slices to create a sandwich.
  • In a hot skillet, cook sandwiches over medium heat 4-6 minutes, flipping once. Cook until cheese melts and the bread is crispy.

Nutrition Per Serving

3g Serving746kcal Calories38g Carbs32g Protein51g Fat21g Saturated Fat120mg Cholesterol414mg Potassium5g Fiber6g Sugar739IU Vitamin A25mg Vitamin C502mg Calcium4mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Classic Reuben Sandwich Recipe
Serving Size
 
3 g
Amount per Serving
Calories
746
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
51
g
78
%
Saturated Fat
 
21
g
131
%
Cholesterol
 
120
mg
40
%
Potassium
 
414
mg
12
%
Carbohydrates
 
38
g
13
%
Fiber
 
5
g
21
%
Sugar
 
6
g
7
%
Protein
 
32
g
64
%
Vitamin A
 
739
IU
15
%
Vitamin C
 
25
mg
30
%
Calcium
 
502
mg
50
%
Iron
 
4
mg
22
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: reuben sandwich
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 746
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Valentina Ablaev

I am Valentina, the creator behind the food blog Valentina’s Corner where I share our family’s favorite recipes. When I am not in the kitchen, I enjoy spending quality time with my husband and 5 children. We invite you to join us on our blogging journey!

Read more posts by Valentina

5 from 169 votes (112 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Amy
    February 21, 2023

    Best recipe I’ve found. Husband devoured the sandwich. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 21, 2023

      Hi Amy! I’m so glad it was a hit. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply

      • Connie Hurley
        February 25, 2023

        I’m very fussy about Rueben’s. I did use pastrami and eye balled the dressing recipe. Probably made it a little spicier than called for. Oh man …. This is the best recipe ever. Loved it so so so much!

        Reply

        • NatashasKitchen.com
          February 25, 2023

          Hi Connie! That’s wonderful to hear. So glad you loved it.

          Reply

  • Tom
    February 16, 2023

    Best Rueben sandwiches I have ever made, thanks to the sauce. I do not like a sweet sauce, and this had just the right balance to make a great sandwich. Fresh cooked corned beef, machine-sliced thin, good Swiss cheese, sourcrout and rye. I’m keeping this as a family recipe to pass down.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 16, 2023

      Hi Tom! I’m so glad you loved the recipe. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply

  • Nichole
    February 16, 2023

    I’m a little late to the party, but wanted to say thanks for your awesome Russian Dressing recipe!! Definitely made these the best Reuben sandwiches ever.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 16, 2023

      Hi Nichole! You’re very welcome. Thank you. 🙂

      Reply

  • Janice
    February 7, 2023

    In lieu of the homemade or even store-bought Russian (Thousand Island) dressing, used a prepared Honey Dijon dressing. Also, drained sauerkraut and sauteed it with chopped Granny Smith apple until apple was soft and sauerkraut was slightly browned. Delicious and filling!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 7, 2023

      Thanks for sharing, Janice! So glad it was delicious!

      Reply

  • Susan Freeman
    December 5, 2022

    Wow! Hubby and I just polished off a batch of these Reuben sandwiches. I’ve certainly made Reubens before, but this far exceeded any other I’ve purchased or made. I made the dressing using homemade mayo and used a little ancho chili powder with an extra clove of garlic since I didn’t have the chili garlic paste on hand. I also used my home fermented sauerkraut. When I tasted the sauce, I was a little worried because it’s very different from any other I’ve used. I though it would overpower the sandwich. OMG! It was utterly perfect. I can’t wait to make these over and over again. Thanks for such a great recipe!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 5, 2022

      You’re welcome! I’m glad you loved them. 🙂

      Reply

  • Mike
    October 30, 2022

    This is the best Reuben I have every tasted. I used my left over corned beef from my home cured brisket.
    What a treat to eat!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      October 30, 2022

      Wow! Thank you for the awesome feedback!

      Reply

      • Mike
        October 31, 2022

        I think your homemade dressing could be added to some rice pilaf fish dishes. Cannot say enough about the flavor boom you get!

        Reply

        • Natasha's Kitchen
          October 31, 2022

          Thank you and yes good idea!

          Reply

  • Jennifer W.
    August 25, 2022

    excellent. I add a touch of yellow mustard to the sauce and… perfect-o!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      August 25, 2022

      I’m glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Skid Rowe
    July 1, 2022

    Forget those other reubens: it’s all about the dressing. That red Russian dressing: throw it out for the sugar/corn syrup alone. Thousand island? Sawdust compared to this dressing. It’s all about this.

    Terrific on other sandwiches/salads as well . . So double your batch.

    Reply

  • LeeAnne Gelfand
    May 13, 2022

    Second time in two weeks that I made these sammies. That sauce is what brings the smoked meat sandwich to another level closer to heaven. Soooooo delicious. This is defs a two thumbs up.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 13, 2022

      Hi LeeAnne! That’s great to hear, I’m happy you enjoy this recipe.

      Reply

  • Pat
    April 13, 2022

    Hi Natasha I made this sandwich and it was the best Rueben I ever made and husband loved it! Have made quite a few of your dishes all great! Thank you

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 13, 2022

      That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Pat!

      Reply

  • Vanessa
    April 7, 2022

    Natasha, why does it say Valentina at the top of the recipe? did she make this recipe, also why is it sometimes i see natalyas kitchen, then valentinas corner, and sometimes natashas kitchen’s icon at the end of the recipe? please elaborate, my curiousity needs to know

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 7, 2022

      Hi Vanessa, this is a “guest recipe” we like to share our favorite recipes from other bloggers on here, and we invited/collaborated with Valentina to post her recipe on our site! We also note who’s recipe is and link to their blog if we have a guest recipe. I hope that helps 🙂

      Reply

  • Joanne Martin
    April 2, 2022

    Like the other colitis patient, I cannot do garlic and onion. For the garlic-chili sauce I got the heat from powdered chili (chipotle is medium hot, a bit smokey), and a tiny pinch of the dried crushed red pepper you find in pizza places. I also added 1 teaspoon ketchup. Because I had to use coleslaw instead of kraut, I added a tablespoon of chopped garlic-free dill pickle to add sourness.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      April 2, 2022

      Thank you for sharing your version. I’m sure that will be helpful to others who are looking to substitute.

      Reply

  • Doug M.
    March 26, 2022

    Pretty good, using Chili garlic sauce makes it fairly hot, so maybe not for everyone. If you don’t want the added heat then use regular chili sauce (Heinz) which is more like ketchup.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 26, 2022

      Thank you for sharing with us, Doug. I appreciate the feedback and the review!

      Reply

  • James
    March 20, 2022

    I am an old time Reuben sandwich maker l used your Russian dressing recipe and it is outstanding I’ve got plans for that dressing for other things (love you r cooking shows thank you)

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 20, 2022

      I’m so glad you loved it, James!

      Reply

  • Linda
    March 19, 2022

    Made this tonight for supper. It was very good. Thanks for the recipe. Will make again.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 19, 2022

      You’re very welcome! So happy you enjoyed this recipe.

      Reply

  • TCRider
    March 19, 2022

    Just a different take on assembly. At my restaurant we would take the portion of sauerkraut with a pat of butter and put it on the griddle. Butter the bread slices and griddle with Swiss on one side. Once the bread is near done we we would quickly heat the corned beef on the griddle and put it on the slice of bread without the cheese. Add kraut on top of that. Give a squirt of secret sauce on the kraut and put the Swiss slice as a lid. Worked perfectly.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 19, 2022

      Thank you so much for sharing that with me!

      Reply

    • Susan
      December 5, 2022

      For, TCRider, just an FYI…sauerkraut is an amazing probiotic IF it’s not vigorously heated. I make my own sauerkraut and would hate to miss out on all the great health benefits by heating the sauerkraut itself on a griddle. I’m sure it would still taste great, but, by combining the filling as written, all those good fermented bacteria in the sauerkraut would still be alive to nourish your gut biome.

      Reply

  • Lee
    March 17, 2022

    Delicious!! The homemade Russian dressing made a huge difference!!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 17, 2022

      Glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Rachel Gallagher
    March 17, 2022

    You are correct!! Better than you get in an Irish Pub! Ruebens are my favorite, and this is – hands down- the best I’ve had!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 17, 2022

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Rachel!!

      Reply

  • Mitzi
    March 6, 2022

    My corned beef is in the crock pot; just made your delicious dressing. About to pile on the rye bread. Our initial taste of the dressing is, “WOW!” Thank you for sharing. God bless you and prayers for Ukraine. ❤️

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 7, 2022

      You’re very welcome. Enjoy and I hope you’ll love all the recipes that you will try.

      Reply

  • carolyn
    January 13, 2022

    Yum we added 1 teaspoon of dill relish. Super good Thank you Natacha. Delicious.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 13, 2022

      You’re most welcome! I’m happy that you liked it.

      Reply

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