Easy Homemade Roast Beef Reuben Recipe That Wows Every Time

Crafting a classic roast beef reuben sandwich brings comfort and nostalgia to your kitchen table.

Layers of tender meat mingle with tangy sauerkraut and melted Swiss cheese.

Warm, toasted rye bread provides the perfect crispy foundation for this deli-inspired creation.

Rich, savory flavors promise a delightful culinary experience that goes beyond ordinary lunch fare.

Home cooks appreciate how simple ingredients can produce something truly spectacular.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of textures and robust tastes.

Come hungry and ready to savor this irresistible sandwich that feels like a warm embrace from your favorite deli.

Why Roast Beef Reuben Keeps Getting Requests

• Savor Quick Comfort: Simple sandwich transforms classic deli flavors into a home-cooked delight.
• Minimal Prep Magic: Whips up in just 10 minutes with basic kitchen tools, perfect for busy weeknights or lazy lunches.
• Crowd-Pleasing Twist: Delivers restaurant-style flavor without complicated techniques, making it a hit for family meals and casual gatherings.
• Flexible Flavor Fusion: Allows easy customization by adjusting meat quantity or swapping ingredients to match personal taste preferences.

Roast Beef Reuben Ingredient Collection

• Rye Bread: A hearty, tangy bread that adds a distinctive flavor and sturdy foundation for the sandwich.

• Roast Beef, Swiss Cheese: Tender, thinly sliced roast beef pairs perfectly with mild, melty Swiss cheese for a classic Reuben combination.

• Sauerkraut: Adds a tangy, fermented crunch that gives the sandwich its traditional Reuben character.
• Thousand Island Dressing: Creamy and slightly sweet, providing a zesty complement to the other ingredients.
• Butter: Helps create a golden, crispy exterior when grilling the sandwich.

Directions for Crafting Roast Beef Reuben

Step 1: Prepare Bread Canvas

Generously coat one side of each rye bread slice with creamy Thousand Island dressing, ensuring complete coverage from edge to edge.

Step 2: Build Delicious Layers

• Tender roast beef
• Tangy sauerkraut
• Melty Swiss cheese

Ensure the dressed sides of bread face inward, creating a flavor-packed interior.

Step 3: Butter Exterior

Spread softened butter evenly across the outer surfaces of both bread slices, creating a golden, crispy exterior when grilled.

Step 4: Activate Skillet

Heat a skillet over medium heat, creating the perfect cooking surface for transforming your sandwich into a crispy masterpiece.

Step 5: Grill to Perfection

Carefully place the assembled sandwich into the hot skillet, cooking for 3-4 minutes until the bottom turns a rich, golden brown.

Step 6: Flip and Complete

Gently flip the sandwich, allowing the second side to cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until equally golden and crisp.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Remove the Reuben from the skillet, slice diagonally to create two delectable halves, and serve immediately while warm and inviting.

Roast Beef Reuben Sandwich Tips That Melt Perfectly

• Mix homemade Thousand Island by combining mayonnaise, ketchup, and chopped pickles for a fresher, more vibrant flavor.
• Choose thick-cut rye bread to ensure a sturdy sandwich that holds ingredients without becoming soggy.
• Cover the skillet with a lid for 1-2 minutes to help Swiss cheese melt evenly and create a gooey texture.
• Use medium-low heat to prevent burning the bread while allowing the cheese to melt completely.
• Drain and pat sauerkraut dry to prevent excess moisture from making the sandwich soggy and compromising the crispy bread texture.

Keep Roast Beef Reubens For A Second Bite

• Store leftover Roast Beef Reuben wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil for up to 2 days in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent flavor loss.
• Revive the sandwich's crispy texture by reheating in a skillet over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes per side, which helps restore the bread's golden crunch.
• Warm the sandwich in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, placing it on a baking sheet to help recreate the original crispy exterior.
• Skip microwave reheating to prevent soggy bread and rubbery cheese, which can compromise the sandwich's delicious original texture.

Satisfying Bites with Roast Beef Reuben

• Pair with Crisp Complementary Pickle Spears: Tangy pickles cut through the rich, hearty flavors of the Reuben sandwich, providing a refreshing crunch and acidic balance.
• Create a Bold Beer Companion: Choose a medium-bodied amber ale or a German-style lager that matches the robust beef and complements the sandwich's savory Swiss cheese and sauerkraut profile.
• Serve with Zesty Coleslaw Side: A light, creamy coleslaw with a hint of vinegar adds freshness and helps cleanse the palate between bites of the dense, flavorful sandwich.
• Match with Classic Deli Potato Chips: Salty, crunchy potato chips provide a perfect textural contrast to the soft, melted Swiss cheese and tender roast beef, enhancing the overall eating experience.

Roast Beef Reuben with Zesty Flavor Paths

• Gluten-Free Option: Replace rye bread with gluten-free bread or cauliflower thins to make the sandwich celiac-friendly and reduce wheat-based ingredients.
• Low-Carb Version: Use large lettuce leaves instead of bread to create a Reuben wrap, maintaining all original flavors while cutting carbohydrate content.
• Vegetarian Adaptation: Swap roast beef with grilled portobello mushrooms or plant-based deli slices, keeping the classic sauerkraut and Swiss cheese components.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Select dairy-free Swiss-style cheese and use vegan butter or olive oil for spreading, ensuring those with lactose intolerance can enjoy the sandwich.

FAQs

• What makes a Reuben sandwich different from other sandwiches?

A Reuben is characterized by its combination of corned beef (or in this case, roast beef), Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing, all grilled between rye bread, creating a unique and tangy flavor profile.

• Can I use a different type of meat if I don't have roast beef?

While traditional Reubens use corned beef, this recipe allows flexibility. You can substitute roast beef with pastrami, turkey, or even ham depending on your preference.

• Do I need a special pan to make this sandwich?

No, any standard skillet or griddle works perfectly. The key is to use medium heat and ensure the bread gets crispy and golden brown on both sides.

• How can I tell when the sandwich is perfectly cooked?

Look for a golden-brown exterior and melted cheese inside. The bread should be crisp and the cheese should be fully melted, which typically takes about 3-4 minutes per side.

Roast Beef Reuben Recipe

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4.8 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Savory roast beef reuben brings classic deli flavors to your home kitchen with layers of tender meat, melted Swiss cheese, tangy sauerkraut, and zesty Russian dressing. Comfort meets culinary creativity in this irresistible sandwich that promises to satisfy your deepest cravings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 4 ounces (113 grams) thinly sliced roast beef

Cheese and Bread:

• 2 slices Swiss cheese
• 2 slices rye bread

Condiments and Extras:

• 1/3 cup (79 milliliters) sauerkraut, drained
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) Thousand Island dressing
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) butter, softened

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Instructions

1. Generously coat the interior surfaces of rye bread slices with tangy Thousand Island dressing, ensuring complete coverage.
2. Artfully arrange succulent roast beef, creating a hearty layer of meat across one bread slice.
3. Distribute fermented sauerkraut evenly over the roast beef, adding a zesty and textured element to the sandwich.
4. Layer delicate Swiss cheese atop the sauerkraut, allowing it to melt and bind the ingredients together.
5. Carefully close the sandwich, aligning the dressed sides inward to create a sealed package.
6. Liberally brush the exterior of both bread surfaces with creamy butter, promoting a golden, crisp exterior.
7. Preheat a skillet over medium heat, creating an ideal cooking environment for the sandwich.
8. Gently place the prepared sandwich into the heated skillet, listening for a subtle sizzling sound.
9. Allow the first side to transform into a rich, caramelized golden-brown color, approximately 3-4 minutes.
10. Skillfully flip the sandwich using a spatula, revealing the perfectly toasted first side.
11. Continue cooking the opposite side until it achieves a matching golden-brown hue and the cheese melts completely.
12. Remove the sandwich from the skillet, letting it rest momentarily to set the ingredients.
13. Slice the Reuben diagonally, creating two elegant triangular halves.
14. Serve immediately while warm, capturing the sandwich’s optimal temperature and melted cheese texture.

Notes

• Elevate flavor by using homemade Thousand Island dressing for a fresher, more vibrant taste profile.
• Choose high-quality, thinly sliced roast beef from the deli counter to ensure tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Drain sauerkraut thoroughly to prevent soggy sandwich and maintain crisp grilled exterior.
• Swap rye bread with gluten-free alternatives for those with wheat sensitivities, keeping the classic Reuben spirit intact.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 1300 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg