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Why You’ll Love My Recipe

While sandwiches may have originated in England, it was in America that they truly came into their own. The Classic Reuben sandwich is a perfect example – it’s a simple but iconic combination of tender corned beef, hearty rye bread, sauerkraut, and creamy Russian dressing!

Most delis swap Thousand Island for Russian dressing, which is sweeter and less spicy. For the true Reuben experience, try making your own Homemade Russian Dressing using my recipe! Prefer a heartier bite? My Copycat Disneyland Monte Cristo Sandwiches and Submarine Sandwich recipe won’t disappoint!

Reader Review

Great recipe — so easy! Equal parts of 1000 Island dressing and salsa for a perfect and quick “Russian” dressing. Delicious!

– M. Paton

Karlynn’s Recipe Notes

Skill Level: This Classic Reuben Sandwich is super easy to make – ideal for a quick lunch or a cheesy weeknight dinner!
Total Time: Your sandwich is ready in about 20 minutes from start to finish.
Variations: Not a fan of Russian dressing or want to tone down the tang? Swap it for a thick smear of mayonnaise! You can also add a little heat with spicy chilies or hot sauce to mimic the piquant flavor of traditional Russian dressing. Serve your sandwich with classic deli sides like Mom’s Potato Salad, Air Fryer French Fries, or a warm Tomato Bisque for the ultimate comfort meal.
Tools For This Recipe: You will need a knife for buttering and slicing the bread, a large skillet, and a spatula for flipping the sandwiches.

What You’ll Need for Ingredients

Corned Beef: If you have one nearby, head to your local kosher deli – their freshly cooked corned beef is rich, tender, and packed with incredible flavor. No deli? No problem! The deli counter at the supermarket usually carries sliced corned beef as well. Karlynn’s Tip: If possible, try to avoid prepackaged sandwich meat from the fridge section. It’s convenient, but it can’t match the texture or taste of freshly sliced beef.

Rye Bread: Rye bread adds intense, nutty notes that perfectly balance the fatty corned beef. If you can’t find it at the supermarket, check a local bakery! Most bakeries carry crusty rye loaves that make this sandwich shine.

Swiss Cheese: Mild, buttery Swiss cheese melts beautifully over the corned beef, adding creaminess that complements the meat and the tang of the sauerkraut.

Sauerkraut: Sauerkraut adds a tart, slightly crunchy bite to your Reuben. Karlynn’s Tip: Drain it really well and press out the excess liquid to prevent soggy bread!

Russian Dressing: Use store-bought dressing if you prefer it, but for a classic Reuben flavor, try my Homemade Russian Dressing. It’s sweet, spicy, and takes your sandwich to the next level!

How To Make a Classic Reuben Sandwich

This is a quick overview of the recipe. The full list of ingredients & complete step-by-step instructions are in the recipe card below.

Preheat your skillet on medium-high heat and add the butter.
Heat the corned beef in the pan to warm it up, being careful not to burn it.
Spread butter on one side of the bread and slather Russian dressing on the opposite side.
Build your sandwich by layering cheese, corned beef, and sauerkraut on one slice of bread, then top it with the other slice, Russian dressing side down.
Grill your sandwiches in a pan, butter side down, then brown until crispy and the cheese is melted.

Karlynn’s Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Classic Reuben Sandwich

Rye Bread Matters: Rye may have fallen out of fashion in recent years, but it’s still the ultimate choice for a Reuben. If possible, use a marbled rye! The mix of light and dark rye dough gives it an incredible depth of flavor.
Make It Your Own: This sandwich is delightfully flexible! Stack your corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing in any order you like. The order can subtly influence the taste of every bite, so don’t be afraid to experiment and find your perfect combination!
Browning the Bread: Getting that golden, crispy crust can be a little tricky. Keep your pan on medium heat instead of high to give the butter time to caramelize without burning. Alternatively, try spreading mayonnaise on the outside of the bread instead of butter. Mayonnaise has a higher smoke point, which means it browns beautifully without burning – this is a trick we use for grilled cheese all the time!

Reuben Sandwich on a white plate with russian dressing in the background

Storage Instructions

These Classic Reuben Sandwiches are best enjoyed fresh, but you can easily store your leftovers for a quick and satisfying meal!

Refrigerator: Wrap your sandwiches tightly in foil or plastic wrap and store them in the fridge for up to 2 days. To enjoy later, reheat your sandwich in a skillet or oven until warmed through and the bread is crispy again.

Freezer: If you want to prep ahead, wrap each sandwich individually in foil and place them in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 1 month, following USDA food safety guidelines. Reheat in the oven from frozen until hot and melty.

More Delicious Sandwich Recipes

If you loved this Classic Reuben, you’ll want to try more reader-favorite Sandwich Recipes next:

My Grilled Chicken Sandwich pairs juicy grilled chicken with fresh toppings. It’s perfect for a light and versatile meal!
Layers of turkey, bacon, avocado, lettuce, and mayo make this Turkey Club Sandwich a true comfort classic.
This Classic Tuna Melt Sandwich is warm, cheesy, and full of flavorful veggies and tuna!

And just like that, your Classic Reuben Sandwich is ready to enjoy! The tangy Russian dressing, tender corned beef, and melty Swiss cheese all come together perfectly – I hope you love this sandwich as much as we do.

Serve it up, dig in, and don’t forget to share in the comments how your Reuben turned out. I always love hearing how you make these recipes your own!

Happy Cooking!

Mike (Mr. Magpie)