By Becky Hardin
Updated Oct 13, 2025
I made this classic Reuben sandwich recipe with rye bread, and stuffed it with tender corned beef, tangy sauerkraut, melty Swiss cheese, and creamy Thousand Island dressing. It’s such an easy recipe for me to prepare for St. Patrick’s Day or any lunch, really. I find the distinct flavor of these sandwiches is unbeatable!
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5-Star Review
“Hubby said, “I don’t know how you can make this any better!” I made homemade pumpernickel bread and used leftover corn beef brisket. Very delicious! Will make again!” – Leslie
Easy Reuben Sandwich Recipe
I have to admit, I think this is the best Reuben sandwich recipe. You only need a few ingredients to make this sandwich, but there’s so much flavor packed into it. Reuben sandwiches are one of my favorite St. Patrick’s Day foods .
The Reuben is a grilled sandwich consisting of corned beef, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing with Swiss cheese. It’s a North American sandwich that has been around for decades.
Though I’ve prepared my sandwich with the classic Thousand Island dressing, you can also use Russian dressing. And, if you’ve got leftover corned beef hanging around, this is the perfect way to put it to good use!
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 8 slices marble rye bread
- ▢ butter
- ▢ 1 lb. sliced corned beef
- ▢ 1½ cups sauerkraut drained
- ▢ 4 slices Swiss cheese
- ▢ ½ cup Thousand Island dressing
Video
Instructions
- Butter each slice of bread. 8 slices marble rye bread, butter
- Flip the slices over, and spread a thin layer of dressing on each slice. ½ cup Thousand Island dressing
- Top 4 of the slices with an equal amount of corned beef and sauerkraut, and 1 slice of Swiss cheese. 1 lb. sliced corned beef, 1½ cups sauerkraut, 4 slices Swiss cheese
- Place the 4 remaining slices of bread, buttered side up, on the top of the cheese.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
- Once heated, cook the sandwiches on the skillet for a few minutes on each side. Cover the skillet for a minute or two to ensure the cheese is melted and gooey.
Becky’s Tips
- Use Russian dressing instead: Combine 1 cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup ketchup, 1 tbsp finely chopped onion, 2-4 tsp jarred horseradish, 1 tsp hot sauce, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, ¼ tsp ground paprika, and ¼ tsp ground black pepper.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make a Reuben Sandwich Step by Step
Gather your ingredients.
Get the bread ready: Butter 8 slices of rye bread.
Add the dressing: Flip the bread over, and spread a thin layer of Thousand Island dressing on each slice.
Add the cheese : Top half of the bread slices with an equal amount of corned beef, sauerkraut, and 1 slice of Swiss cheese.
Grill the sandwiches: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Once heated, cook the sandwiches for a few minutes on each side and then cover the skillet for a minute or two so the cheese gets melted and gooey.
Serve: Serve the sandwiches hot and enjoy!
How to Store
As with most sandwiches, you’ll want to store ingredients separately and make the Reubens as you serve them for the best quality. If you’re making any of the ingredients yourself (like the corned beef, sauerkraut, or dressing), make them ahead of time so they’re ready to use at lunch time!
You can put a whole sandwich in the fridge if you like, either in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap/foil. But storing bread/sandwiches in the fridge means it might get a little soggy. They can be eaten warm or cold.
Serving Suggestions
When I make this dish, I love pairing it with something hearty and comforting like colcannon potatoes —creamy mashed potatoes mixed with tender cabbage and a touch of butter—or crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside Air Fryer baked potatoes . If I’m in the mood for something with a bit more tang, German potato salad is another great choice. For a pop of brightness on the plate, I’ll often serve it with refrigerator pickles or tangy pickled beets —both add that crisp, acidic bite that complements the sauerkraut beautifully.
more corned beef recipes
Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Sliders (with Guinness Mustard!)
Reuben Casserole
Reuben Egg Rolls
Corned Beef Hash
Reuben Sandwich Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 slices marble rye bread
- butter
- 1 lb. sliced corned beef
- 1½ cups sauerkraut drained
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
- ½ cup Thousand Island dressing
Instructions
- Butter each slice of bread. 8 slices marble rye bread, butter
- Flip the slices over, and spread a thin layer of dressing on each slice. ½ cup Thousand Island dressing
- Top 4 of the slices with an equal amount of corned beef and sauerkraut, and 1 slice of Swiss cheese. 1 lb. sliced corned beef, 1½ cups sauerkraut, 4 slices Swiss cheese
- Place the 4 remaining slices of bread, buttered side up, on the top of the cheese.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
- Once heated, cook the sandwiches on the skillet for a few minutes on each side. Cover the skillet for a minute or two to ensure the cheese is melted and gooey.
Video
Notes
- Use Russian dressing instead: Combine 1 cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup ketchup, 1 tbsp finely chopped onion, 2-4 tsp jarred horseradish, 1 tsp hot sauce, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, ¼ tsp ground paprika, and ¼ tsp ground black pepper.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
