Reuben Sandwich Recipe

2022-12-01

By Sandwich Lover

American Cuisine

Main Course

The Reuben Sandwich is a classic American sandwich that is easy to make and perfect for lunch or dinner. This recipe features rye bread, corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and thousand island dressing. 

The Origin Story of the Reuben Sandwich

An American cuisine main course that originated in the United States, specifically in Omaha, Nebraska. It is a classic deli sandwich that is widely loved across the country. The origin of the Reuben sandwich is often credited to a grocer named Reuben Kulakofsky, who lived in Omaha in the early 20th century. According to popular legend, he created the sandwich in 1928 at the Blackstone Hotel in Omaha. 

Sauerkraut and Russian Dressing

The original version was made with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing, sandwiched between slices of rye bread, grilled until the cheese was melted and the bread crispy. 

 A Beloved American Main Course from Omaha

The Reuben sandwich soon became a local favorite and spread to other parts of the country over time. The combination of salty, savory corned beef, tangy sauerkraut, and creamy Swiss cheese became a winning concept. 

A Must-Try American Dish

The Russian dressing that is now a common accompaniment for the Reuben sandwich was added later, possibly to balance the strong flavors of the other ingredients. Today, Reuben sandwiches are a classic American delicatessen staple.

Pitfalls on Reuben Sandwich

 Choosing the Right Bread: Choosing the right bread is crucial for making a delicious Reuben Sandwich. It's essential to use high-quality rye bread, which provides a tangy flavor and sturdy texture to hold the sandwich fillings.

 Preparing the Corned Beef: Preparing the corned beef for Reuben Sandwich can be a challenge. It's essential to cook the corned beef slowly and low heat to make it tender and flavorful. It's recommended to cook the meat in advance and then slice it thinly.

 Sauerkraut Preparation: Sauerkraut is a crucial ingredient in Reuben Sandwich, and it's essential to prepare it correctly. It's recommended to rinse it to remove some of the salt and then cook it in butter and seasonings to enhance its flavor.

 Choice of Cheese: Choosing the right cheese for Reuben Sandwich can be a personal preference, but it's essential to select a cheese that melts well. Swiss cheese is a traditional choice for Reuben Sandwich, but other choices such as provolone or gruyere can also work.

 Assembling: Assembling the Reuben Sandwich can be challenging as it's essential to layer the fillings correctly to ensure even distribution of flavors. It's recommended to add the Thousand Island dressing or Russian Dressing to the slices of bread before adding the fillings so that the flavors penetrate the sandwich. Add the corned beef, sauerkraut, and cheese and grill the sandwich until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted.

 Serving: Serving Reuben Sandwich can be a challenge as it can be messy and fall apart easily. It's essential to serve immediately after grilling, wrapped in paper or served on a plate with a side of fries or potato chips.

Ingredients

• 8 slices rye bread

• 8 oz corned beef, thinly sliced

• 4 oz sauerkraut, drained

• 8 slices Swiss cheese

• 1/4 cup thousand island dressing

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

Instructions

1. Preheat a large skillet over medium heat.

2. Spread thousand island dressing on one side of each slice of rye bread.

3. Top 4 slices of the bread with Swiss cheese, corned beef, and sauerkraut, dividing evenly between the slices.

4. Top each of the sandwiches with the remaining slices of bread, with the dressing side facing down.

5. Spread softened butter on the topside of each sandwich.

6. Griddle the sandwiches for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted.

7. Slice the Reuben Sandwich in half and serve hot.

Preparation Time 15 min

Cook Time 10 min

Total time 25 min

Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 550

• Total Fat: 32 g

• Saturated Fat: 16 g

• Cholesterol: 120 mg

• Sodium: 1200 mg

• Total Carbohydrates: 36 g

• Dietary Fiber: 4 g

• Sugars: 4 g

• Protein: 25 g

Regional Ingredients Variations of Reuben Sandwich

New York, they may use corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing on rye bread, giving it a classic and tangy taste. This version of Reuben Sandwich is known as "New York-style Reuben."

Florida, they may use smoked turkey, provolone cheese, coleslaw, and honey mustard on a croissant, giving it a lighter and sweeter taste. This version of Reuben Sandwich is known as "Florida-style Reuben."

Texas, they may use pastrami, pepper jack cheese, jalapeño peppers, and chipotle aioli on sourdough bread, giving it a spicy and bold taste. This version of Reuben Sandwich is known as "Texas-style Reuben."

California, they may use vegan corned beet, vegan cheese, sauerkraut, and vegan Thousand Island dressing on gluten-free bread, giving it a plant-based and healthy taste. This version of Reuben Sandwich is known as "California-style Vegan Reuben."

Hawaii, they may use teriyaki glazed spam, pineapple, Swiss cheese, and mayo on a soft roll, giving it a tropical and sweet taste. This version of Reuben Sandwich is known as "Hawaiian-style Reuben."

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