When it comes to yummy, messy, tasty hot sandwiches, it’s tough to beat a Reuben. This classic grilled sandwich has sliced corned beef, melted Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and either Thousand Island or Russian dressing, all stacked between two slices of toasted rye bread. Not many other sandwiches can match the tangy deliciousness of a Reuben

If you’re hungry for a Reuben sandwich, here are some places you can try:

1. Schlotzsky’s:

This chain makes Reubens with pastrami instead of corned beef. It comes with Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, Thousand Island dressing, and their special sauce on a sourdough bun.

2. Pickle’s Sandwich Shop:

You can mostly find this place in central California and along the West Coast. They make Reuben sandwiches with pastrami, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing on toasted marble rye bread.  They even give you cookies with your sandwich.

3. Jason’s Deli:

A popular chain offering the Reuben the Great sandwich. You can choose half a pound of hot corned beef or pastrami, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island Dressing on toasted marbled rye. They also include free ice cream with every meal.

In conclusion:

Whether you’re in New York City, California, Wisconsin, or Melbourne, there’s a Reuben sandwich waiting for you. So, listen to your cravings, explore your neighborhood, and enjoy every messy bite of this iconic dish for your lunch.

What Is a Reuben?

A Reuben typically consists of:

• Corned beef
• Swiss cheese
• Sauerkraut
• Thousand Island dressing
• All sandwiched between slices of rye bread.

The History of the Sandwich

The story behind the creation of the Reuben sandwich is not entirely clear, as there are two competing tales:

1. Reuben Kulakofsky (1920, Omaha, Nebraska):

• Reuben, a Lithuanian man, is said to have invented the sandwich during a weekly poker game at the Blackstone Hotel.
• It became popular among poker players and was eventually added to the hotel’s menu.
• The hotel owner entered it into a contest, leading to its nationwide fame.

2. Reuben’s Delicatessen (1914, New York):

• A German deli owner in New York is credited with introducing the sandwich.
• The deli, appropriately named Reuben’s Delicatessen, helped to popularize it.

Types of Reuben sandwiches

There are many variations of Reuben sandwiches, but here are ten common types:

1. Classic Reuben: Made with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, Thousand Island dressing, and rye bread.

 

2. Pastrami Reuben: Similar to the classic, but with pastrami instead of corned beef.

 

3. Turkey Reuben: Substitutes turkey for corned beef or pastrami.

 

4. Rachel Sandwich: Similar to the Reuben but uses turkey instead of corned beef or pastrami, along with coleslaw instead of sauerkraut.

 

5. Veggie Reuben: A vegetarian version made with ingredients like grilled or roasted vegetables, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing.

 

6. Corned Beef Hash Reuben: Features corned beef hash as the main filling instead of sliced corned beef.

 

7. Slaw Reuben: Uses coleslaw instead of sauerkraut, offering a different texture and flavor profile.

 

8. Irish Reuben: A twist on the classic, typically including ingredients like Irish bacon, Irish cheddar cheese, and a mustard-based sauce.

 

9. BBQ Reuben: Incorporates barbecue sauce into the sandwich, adding a smoky and tangy flavor to the traditional ingredients.

 

10. Breakfast Reuben: A breakfast sandwich, often featuring ingredients like scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, cheese, and Thousand Island dressing on a toasted English muffin or bagel.

These are just a few examples, and there are countless ways to customize a Reuben sandwich to suit different tastes and preferences.

When it comes to yummy, messy, tasty hot sandwiches, it’s tough to beat a Reuben. This classic grilled sandwich has sliced corned beef, melted Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and either Thousand Island or Russian dressing, all stacked between two slices of toasted rye bread. Not many other sandwiches can match the tangy deliciousness of a Reuben

Recipes for each type of Reuben sandwich:

Certainly! Here are simplified recipes for each type of Reuben sandwich:

1. Classic Reuben:

Ingredients:

• Thick slices of tender corned beef
• Creamy Swiss cheese
• Tangy sauerkraut
• Thousand Island dressing
• Freshly baked rye bread

Instructions:

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
2. Toast two slices of hearty rye bread until golden.
3. Layer one slice of bread with corned beef, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut.
4. Spread Thousand Island dressing on the other slice of bread.
5. Put the sandwich together and grill it in the skillet until the cheese melts and the bread is crispy.
6. Serve the savory masterpiece hot and enjoy the blend of flavors.

2. Pastrami Reuben:

Ingredients:

• Thin slices of flavorful pastrami
• Melty Swiss cheese
• Zesty sauerkraut
• A drizzle of Thousand Island dressing
• Freshly baked rye bread

Instructions:

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
2. Lightly toast two slices of rye bread until crunchy.
3. Layer one slice of bread with pastrami, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut.
4. Spread Thousand Island dressing on the other slice of bread.
5. Assemble the sandwich and grill it in the skillet until the cheese melts and the bread is crispy.
6. Serve this Pastrami Reuben with a side of nostalgia and innovation.

3. Turkey Reuben:

Ingredients:

• Thinly sliced roasted turkey breast
• Creamy Swiss cheese slices
• Crunchy coleslaw
• A drizzle of Thousand Island dressing
• Freshly toasted rye bread

Instructions:

1. Toast two slices of rye bread until warm and fragrant.
2. Arrange turkey slices and Swiss cheese on one slice of bread.
3. Add crunchy coleslaw for extra crunch and freshness.
4. Drizzle Thousand Island dressing over the other slice of bread.
5. Bring the components together and toast the sandwich in a skillet until everything melds into a delightful harmony.
6. Enjoy your Turkey Reuben with a smile—it’s a flavor journey worth savoring!

4. Rachel Sandwich:

Ingredients:

• • • Thinly sliced pastrami (or turkey, for a lighter version)
    • Swiss cheese slices
    • Coleslaw (for a refreshing crunch)
    • Russian dressing (instead of Thousand Island)
    • Freshly toasted rye bread

Instructions:

1. 1. 1. Begin by toasting two slices of rye bread until they achieve that perfect crunch.
      2. On one slice of bread, layer the succulent pastrami (or turkey) and the creamy Swiss cheese.
      3. Pile on the vibrant coleslaw for that refreshing crunch and a touch of tanginess.
      4. Drizzle the zesty Russian dressing over the other slice of bread.
      5. Assemble the sandwich, bringing together the layers of flavor.
      6. Grill it in a skillet until the cheese melts into a luscious blend, and the bread turns irresistibly crispy.
      7. Serve your Rachel Sandwich hot and savor the delightful combination of textures and tastes.

 

5. Veggie Reuben:

Ingredients:

• Grilled or roasted vegetables (like bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms)
• Swiss cheese slices
• Sauerkraut
• Thousand Island dressing
• Rye bread

Instructions:

1. Cook the vegetables on the grill or roast them until they’re soft and tasty.
2. Toast two slices of rye bread.
3. On one slice of bread, layer the grilled or roasted vegetables and Swiss cheese.
4. Add some sauerkraut and a good amount of Thousand Island dressing on top.
5. Put the other slice of bread on top and grill until everything is warm and the cheese is melted.
6. Enjoy your Veggie Reuben—a healthy twist on the classic!

 

6. Corned Beef Hash Reuben:

Ingredients:

• Corned beef hash
• Swiss cheese slices
• Sauerkraut
• Thousand Island dressing
• Rye bread

Instructions:

1. Heat up the corned beef hash in a skillet until it’s hot.
2. Toast two slices of rye bread.
3. On one slice of bread, layer Swiss cheese and sauerkraut.
4. Spoon the heated corned beef hash on top and drizzle with Thousand Island dressing.
5. Put the other slice of bread on top and grill until the cheese melts and the bread is crispy.
6. Serve this comforting Corned Beef Hash Reuben hot—it’s a hearty treat!

7. Slaw Reuben:

Ingredients:

• Freshly shredded coleslaw
• Creamy Swiss cheese slices
• Tangy Thousand Island dressing
• Two slices of rustic rye bread

Instructions:

1. Toast the rye bread slices until they’re golden.
2. Spread Thousand Island dressing on one slice of bread.
3. Place Swiss cheese on top to let it melt a bit.
4. Add the crunchy coleslaw on top for texture.
5. Put the other bread slice on top to make a sandwich.
6. Toast the sandwich in a skillet until the cheese melts and the bread is crispy.
7. Enjoy the mix of textures and flavors in your Crunchy Coleslaw Reuben!

8. Irish Reuben:

Ingredients:

• Thinly sliced Irish bacon (or rashers)
• Rich Irish cheddar cheese slices
• Coleslaw for an Irish twist
• Zesty mustard sauce
• Freshly baked rye bread

Instructions:

1. Toast two slices of rye bread until they’re warm and smell great.
2. On one slice, layer the tasty Irish bacon and Irish cheddar cheese.
3. Add the coleslaw on top for a unique Irish touch.
4. Drizzle zesty mustard sauce over the other slice of bread.
5. Put the sandwich together.
6. Grill it in a skillet until the cheese is melted and the bread is crispy.
7. Serve your Irish Bacon Reuben hot—it’s a delicious Irish treat!

9. BBQ Reuben:

Ingredients:

• • • Sliced barbecue beef or pork
    • Swiss cheese slices
    • Coleslaw
    • Barbecue sauce
    • Rye bread

Instructions:

1. 1. 1. Begin by toasting two slices of rye bread until they’re golden and crisp.
      2. On one slice of bread, layer the succulent barbecue beef or pork and the melty Swiss cheese.
      3. Pile on the refreshing coleslaw and generously drizzle with barbecue sauce.
      4. Cover with the other slice of bread and grill the sandwich until everything is heated through and the cheese turns gooey.
      5. Sink your teeth into this BBQ Reuben—it’s smoky, tangy, and utterly satisfying!

10. Breakfast Reuben:

Ingredients:

• Scrambled eggs
• Crispy bacon or savory sausage
• Swiss cheese slices
• Thousand Island dressing
• English muffin or bagel

Instructions:

1. Toast an English muffin or bagel until it’s nicely browned.
2. Cook some fluffy scrambled eggs and your choice of crispy bacon or savory sausage.
3. Place Swiss cheese on one-half of the toasted muffin or bagel.
4. Add the scrambled eggs, followed by the bacon or sausage.
5. Drizzle Thousand Island dressing over the top for that classic Reuben flavor.
6. Cover with the other half of the muffin or bagel to complete your breakfast masterpiece.
7. Serve your Breakfast Reuben hot and enjoy the tasty twist to start your day!

 

FAQ:

Is a Reuben sandwich Irish or German?

The Reuben sandwich originated in the United States, not in Ireland or Germany. It’s a classic American deli creation.

Should a Reuben have pastrami or corned beef?

Traditionally, a Reuben sandwich includes corned beef. However, some variations use pastrami instead. Both versions taste great, so it all depends on what you prefer!

Is a Reuben sandwich healthy?

While Reuben sandwiches are delicious, they’re not typically seen as a healthy option. They often contain high amounts of calories, fat, and sodium due to ingredients like cheese, dressing, and sauerkraut. It’s the best choice to eat them in moderation

How many calories are in a Reuben sandwich?

A Reuben sandwich typically contains around 745 calories. This classic Jewish deli favorite combines corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and either Thousand Island or Russian dressing, all nestled between two slices of toasted rye bread¹. So, if you’re indulging in this savory delight, be mindful of those delicious calories!

What is the main difference between a Reuben sandwich and a Rachel sandwich?

• Reuben: Made with corned beef.
• Rachel: Made with pastrami.

Here’s a concise comparison between the Reuben and the Rachel sandwiches:

 Reuben Sandwich:

•   Ingredients: Corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, Russian dressing.
•   Flavor: Salty, tangy, and savory.
•   Origin: Associated with New York or Nebraska.
•   Cooking Method: Griddled in butter like a grilled cheese sandwich.
•   Signature Flavor: Earthy, salty, and tangy.

 Rachel Sandwich:

•   Ingredients: Pastrami (or turkey), Swiss cheese, coleslaw, Russian or Thousand Island dressing.
•   Flavor: Flavorful pastrami with creamy coleslaw.
•   Cooking Method: Also griddled in butter.
•   Signature Flavor: Flavorful pastrami with a crunch from coleslaw.

 Both sandwiches are delicious and perfect for a hearty meal.

What is a Georgia Reuben sandwich?

A Georgia Reuben is a variation of the classic Reuben sandwich. It typically includes corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing, all grilled between slices of rye bread.

What is a cowboy Reuben?

The Cowboy Reuben puts a twist on the original. It features ingredients like pastrami or roast beef, pepper jack cheese, coleslaw, and barbecue sauce, served on rye bread.

What is a super Reuben?

The Super Reuben takes indulgence to the next level. It often includes extra layers of corned beef or pastrami, more cheese, and additional toppings like bacon or avocado.

 What’s in a Katz Reuben sandwich?

The Katz Reuben, popularized by Katz’s Delicatessen in New York, sticks close to tradition. It boasts corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing on rye bread.