Description
Reuben Sandwich: Savor corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing on rye for a quick, crowd-pleasing delight.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 slices rye bread
- 1 pound thinly sliced corned beef
- 8 slices Swiss cheese
- 1 cup sauerkraut, drained well
- 1/4 cup Russian dressing
- 4 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Russian dressing In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish (if using), lemon juice, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until smooth and set aside. This can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator for maximum flavor development.
- Step 2: Prepare the sauerkraut Place sauerkraut in a fine-mesh strainer and press firmly with paper towels to remove excess moisture. For extra flavor, you can sauté the drained sauerkraut in 1 teaspoon of butter for 2-3 minutes to mellow its flavor slightly and remove additional moisture.
- Step 3: Assemble the sandwiches Lay out 8 slices of rye bread on your work surface. Spread the outside of each slice with softened butter. Flip the bread and spread Russian dressing on the inside of each slice. On 4 of the slices, layer in this order: 1 slice Swiss cheese, ¼ of the corned beef, ¼ of the sauerkraut, another slice of Swiss cheese. Top with the remaining bread slices, dressing-side down.
- Step 4: Cook the Reuben Sandwiches Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Place the assembled sandwiches on the heated surface, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the bottom is golden brown. Carefully flip each sandwich and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the cheese is completely melted and the second side is golden brown. If the bread is browning too quickly, lower the heat slightly.
- Step 5: Serve Transfer your Reuben Sandwiches to a cutting board and let them rest for 1 minute before slicing diagonally with a sharp knife. This brief rest allows the cheese to set slightly, preventing the fillings from sliding out. Serve immediately with crispy dill pickles and potato chips for the complete deli experience.