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Home » Dinner » Reuben Sandwiches from Scratch

Reuben Sandwiches from Scratch

September 16, 2014 by Tracy | Updated November 10, 2019 This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

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reuben sandwich being assembled and cut and stacked.
reuben sandwich being assembled and cut and stacked.
a bowl with mayo, ground mustard, hot sauce, celery, onion, and parsley.
corned beef in a crock pot with stout beer being poured on and then cooked and sliced and Pinterest text.

Reuben Sandwiches from Scratch are made with homemade bread, homemade sauerkraut, homemade Russian dressing, and Guinness corned beef!

a halved and stacked corned beef sandwich

I have been dreaming about these sandwiches for months. My husband loovveess a good Reuben and we decided to try making them from scratch literally 6 months ago and we've finally done it - because of ALL of the From Scratch ingredients!

From sauerkraut to the rye bread down to the homemade mayonnaise in the homemade Russian dressing, basically the only thing that's not from scratch is the swiss cheese! But of course, add the amount of From Scratch Flair you'd like! If I had to say one thing that this definitely needs, our NY Deli Rye Bread!

What is a Reuben?

Basically the best sandwich ever. Or a corned beef grilled cheese, but with rye bread, Russian dressing, and tangy sauerkraut! It can be enjoyed hot or cold, but the best (in my opinion) is a hot one with buttered grilled bread and melty swiss cheese!

Ingredients Needed

To make these bad boys, you do need to do a little planning ahead, not only because of all of the from scratch ingredients, but also because of (another) key to this recipe is the Crock Pot Corned Beef.

corned beef in a crock pot with stout beer being poured on

Corned beef and Guinness Beer! Perfect to slice for these Reubens, or also for your St. Patrick's Day dinner!

a bowl of mayo, hot sauce, celery, onion, parsley, mustard powder, sugar,

Next, the Homemade Russian Dressing! Easy to make in advance - especially if you're adding some from scratch flair to it!

  • Mayonnaise From Scratch - Make your own!
  • Dill Pickle - Make your own!
  • Worcestershire sauce - 10 pts if you can say this correctly the first time!
  • Diced celery and white onion - White is best for this one, red is a little too sharp of it.
  • Sugar, ground mustard, fresh parsley - Dried parsley would work, too.
  • Hot sauce (your favorite) and Sriracha - For a little heat.

You wont need all of this dressing for these sandwiches (or maybe you will, you make your sandwich your way!), so you can store this now in your fridge for up to a week to enjoy on your favorite salads!

russian dressing, corned beef, rye bread, swiss cheese, sauerkraut

Now, you're ready to get the sandwich ingredients together!

  • Rye Bread - Use your favorite rye, ours is of course our NY Deli Rye Bread!
  • Corned Beef - Fresh sliced from the Crock Pot.
  • Russian Dressing - Fresh made!
  • Sauerkraut - This is one that's also super fun to make from scratch, but takes quite some time. So use your favorite brand now, and start a batch to be ready in about 6 months for the next ones!
  • Swiss Cheese - Someday we'll make our own!

Assemble the Sandwich

a Reuben sandwich being assembled with rye bread, corned beef, sauerkraut

Now the good part. And the easy part. And the customizable part! Heavy on the corned beef? Light on the sauerkraut? Extra cheese? The choice is yours! You do you.

a rye bread sandwich grilling in a pan

Ok, now maybe this is the best part: grilled in a pan with butter! Let that bread toast with butter and let that cheese melt!

TIP: Don't add the butter to the pan, butter the outside sides of your bread. Otherwise, when you go to (gently) flip your sandwich, the second side won't get the butter that it deserves!

Rueben sandwich sliced in half

And done! Reuben Sandwiches From Scratch!  A hearty man-wich. We had them for dinner that night and my husband had them again for lunch and dinner the next day.  I always know it's a winner in our house when my husband's willing to eat it for multiple consecutive meals. He said it was the best Reuben he's ever had- although I think he may be a tad biased 😉  In any case, we finally fulfilled our Reuben cravings and decided we wont be waiting that long to have them again!

Other Favorite Sandwiches

  • Croque Monsieur
  • Spinach Tuna Melt
  • Avocado Tuna Sub
  • Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Enjoy! As always, if you make this recipe or any of my others, I love to hear what you think! Leave a comment below, email me, or you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!

a halved and stacked corned beef sandwich.

From Scratch Reuben Sandwich

Reuben Sandwiches from Scratch are made with homemade bread, homemade sauerkraut, homemade Russian dressing, and Guinness corned beef!

5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Sandwich
Cuisine: American
Servings: 2
Author: Tracy

Equipment

  • Crock Pot
  • Large frying pan or griddle
  • Large spatula

Ingredients

  • Corned Beef sliced thinly deli corned beef, or slow cooker corned beef, recipe follows
  • 1 cup Sauerkraut
  • 4 slices of Swiss Cheese
  • Russian Dressing - recipe follows
  • 2 tablespoons of butter

Guinness Corned Beef

  • salt
  • 3 lb corned beef brisket
  • 1 14.9 oz can of Guinness beer
  • water

Russian Dressing

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/8 -1/4 cup Sriracha
  • 1 tablespoon white onion, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Dill pickle, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Celery, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
  • 1/2 tablespoon mustard powder
  • 1/2 tablespoon hot sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon white granulated sugar
  • pinch salt

Instructions

Crock Pot Guinness Corned Beef

  • Remove corned beef brisket from packaging and rinse well. Add to slow cooker and sprinkle onto beef the spice packet from the package. Pour Guinness onto corned beef and then add water until brisket is completely covered.
  • Set to low and slow cook for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
  • When done remove from crock pot and slice thinly.

Russian Dressing

  • In a bowl, combine all ingredients except salt and whisk until well-blended together. Add salt to taste, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Build the Sandwich

  • Lay the rye bread slices on a clean work surface and spread 1 side of each slice with some of the Russian dressing. Layer 1/2 of the slices with some of the corned beef. Divide the sauerkraut evenly over the meat, then top the sauerkraut with the slices of cheese. Place the remaining bread slices on top, dressing sides down, and set aside.
  • Lay out the rye bread on a clean work surface. Assemble the sandwich by adding Russian dressing to each slice of bread and then layer 1/2 of the slices with the corned beef. Split the sauerkraut and layer on top of the meat. Add 2 slices of cheese on top of the sauerkraut and then top with bread slice.
  • Heat a large frying pan or griddle on stove top on medium. Gently butter one side of each sandwich, and then place that side of the bread down in the hot pan. Cook until slightly browned, bout 4 minutes.
  • Spread the rest of the butter on the unbuttered top side of the sandwich. Gently flip the sandwiches to cook on the second side until golden brown, crispy, and the cheese is melted, 3 to 4 minutes longer.
  • Slice sandwich in half and serve hot!

Notes

Substitute
Dried parsley for the fresh.  Substitute 1 teaspoon of dried for 1 tablespoon of fresh. 
Use your favorite deli cut corned beef instead of making it in the Crock Pot. 
Use your favorite hot sauce.
Russian Dressing
This recipe will make about 1 1/4 cup of dressing.  
Store Russian Dressing in an airtight container for up to a week. 
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Tag me @ServedFromScratch or use #ServedFromScratch!
Homemade Rye Bread, Homemade Sauerkraut, Homemade Russian Dressing AND Guinness Corned Beef! FROM SCRATCH Reuben Sandwiches!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Luke Allison

    March 23, 2021 at 2:03 am

    5 stars
    WOW! And I thought only Arbys could do a Reubens right...on my way to pick up the ingredients with a freshly boiled brisket in the fridge. 🙂

    Reply
    • Tracy

      March 23, 2021 at 6:27 am

      Enjoy!!

      Reply
  2. Christine

    August 18, 2015 at 1:48 pm

    OH man Tracy this is my kind of sandwich. That meat looks amazing!!!

    Reply
    • Tracy

      August 24, 2015 at 8:11 am

      Thank you, Christine! 😀

      Reply
  3. Stephanie @ The Cozy Cook

    September 18, 2014 at 9:42 am

    Even I have been waiting for these Reubens! Ever since you made the Sauerkraut!! They look sooooooo good, dying for a big bite now, I think it was worth the wait!

    Reply
  4. MamaD1xx4xy

    September 17, 2014 at 5:14 am

    This is my husband's favorite sandwich. Looks great!

    Reply
    • Tracy

      September 17, 2014 at 6:53 am

      Thank you! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Sue

    September 16, 2014 at 1:16 pm

    Probably my all time favorite sandwich. I am dying over here, dying!!!!! Fantastic and looks so scrumptious!

    Reply
    • Tracy

      September 17, 2014 at 6:51 am

      Thank you, Sue! My husband was too! 😉

      Reply
  6. Baby June

    September 16, 2014 at 8:49 am

    Mmm those sandwiches look great! Love that they're from scratch 🙂

    Reply
    • Tracy

      September 17, 2014 at 6:50 am

      Thank you! 🙂

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Tracy!

Mom of two, lover of cheese, spinach, and replacing a box or jar of premade anything with a from scratch version. Here you'll find our whole foods recipes that'll add some easy, approachable from scratch flair to your cooking! Read More…

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