Classic Deli Reuben Sandwich Recipe

Did you know that, in Germany, Thousand Island dressing is referred to as American sauce? This makes total sense to us, since  there's nothing more true to American cuisine than a slathering of seasoned mayonnaise. Recipe developer Erin Johnson brings us this recipe for a classic deli Reuben sandwich. In this recipe, we have not only spread Thousand Island dressing on the sandwich, but we also put mayonnaise on the outer sides of the bread before cooking.

Johnson says, "Reuben's are my favorite deli sandwich, and are so easy to make at home. I get most of the ingredients from the deli section of my grocery store." We have to agree with Johnson — Reubens are the most flavor-packed sandwich a deli has to offer. Whenever we see one on the menu, we know we have to order it.

Keep reading to find out how to make these deli Reuben sandwiches. 

Gather the ingredients for classic Reuben sandwiches

To make this classic deli Reuben sandwich, you can start by gathering your ingredients. For this recipe, you will need rye bread, mayonnaise, Thousand Island dressing, corned beef, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese. Johnson notes: "I prefer to use a rye and pumpernickel swirl bread, but you can use whatever rye you prefer."

Assemble the sandwiches

To start, spread the mayonnaise on the outer sides of the bread. Then, add the Thousand Island dressing to the inner sides of the bread. To do this without getting mayonnaise all over your kitchen counter, Johnson recommends putting "two slices together mayo side to mayo side to assemble the sandwich." Then, add the corned beef first, then the sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese on the dressing side of the bread, before topping the sandwich with the other piece of bread. Remember, the mayonnaise should be on the outer edges of the sandwich to help it get nice and crispy in the skillet.

Cook and serve the sandwiches

Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high. Place the sandwiches mayo side down, and cook for about 3 minutes on each side, until crispy. Then, remove the sandwich from the skillet, slice in half, and enjoy. Johnson notes "Leftovers would keep in the fridge, but I'd suggest eating them within 1 day to avoid getting soggy."

Classic Deli Reuben Sandwich Recipe
5 from 27 ratings
It's hard to beat a good sandwich, and this classic Reuben recipe is a great deli-style sandwich for any meal.
Prep Time
5
minutes
Cook Time
6
minutes
Servings
4
servings
sliced reuben sandwich on plate
Total time: 11 minutes
Ingredients
  • 8 slices rye bread
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • ⅓ cup Thousand Island dressing
  • ½ pound corned beef, sliced thin
  • ½ cup sauerkraut
  • ¼ pound Swiss cheese, sliced
Directions
  1. Spread mayonnaise onto 1 side of the bread slices, then add a layer of Thousand Island dressing to the other side of the slices.
  2. On the side with the dressing, layer the corned beef, sauerkraut, and cheese onto 4 slices of bread. Top with other slice of bread.
  3. Place the sandwich in a hot cast iron skillet, mayo side facing out, and cook for 3 minutes per side. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories per Serving 438
Total Fat 35.2 g
Saturated Fat 10.5 g
Trans Fat 0.0 g
Cholesterol 67.7 mg
Total Carbohydrates 12.2 g
Dietary Fiber 1.5 g
Total Sugars 4.4 g
Sodium 1,195.3 mg
Protein 17.5 g
The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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