Best Reuben Sandwich Recipe Done Two Ways (2024)

Is there anything better than a toasted or grilled Reuben sandwich? Loads of corned beef, swiss cheese and sauerkraut? Actually, there is. When you make it two ways and include a delicious, spicy chipotle aioli sauce or this wonderful homemade dressing!

I have always LOVED corned beef. Once I started making it inside my Instant Pot I began making my Instant Pot Corned Beef as often as I could. I LOVE all of the corned beef recipes I have either shared or are in the process of sharing with you.

There are just so many. I get about 3 solid days of lunches and dinners from one corned beef so it is definitely worth it for us to make it as often as I do.

Today, I'm going to be showing you a toasted Reuben sandwich with a delicious chipotle aioli sauce done two, count 'em two, different ways!

Let me tell you that these sandwiches are amazing. Both of them.

The first uses chipotle mayo and for the photo below I did not use my cast iron press to flatten the sandwich as I did in all of my updated pictures.

I also have now shared my homemade dressing just in case the chipotle mayo doesn't interest you. Wait until you try it. This homemade dressing is that good. Well, we think so and I can't wait to see if you agree.

If both of those don't tickle your fancy please take a moment to have a look at our favorite dips post. There are even more dips to choose from!

Perfect for any occasion or sandwich for that matter!

History of the Reuben Sandwich

Although the Reuben Sandwich isn't that old, no one is quite sure where it actually comes from. There are two competing claims to the Reuben throne.

One states that the sandwich was invented sometime in the 1920s by Reuben Kulakofsky, while another story claims that the sandwich was created in 1914 by Arnold Reuben.

The Reuben Kulakofsky Claim

This story asserts that Reuben Kulakofsky, a grocer in Omaha, Nebraska, asked for a sandwich made of corned beef and pastrami at his weekly poker game which was held in the Blackstone Hotel from 1920 through 1935.

The story goes that the son of the Blackstone's owner, Charles Schimmel, made the first Reuben for Kulakofsky. The sandwich became a local hit with it was put on Blackstone's menu, and that fame spread when a former employee of the hotel won the national sandwich idea contest with the recipe.

The Reuben's Delicatessen Claim

The competing account states that the Reuben was created by Arnold Reuben, the owner of Reuben's Delicatessen, in New York City.

According to this version, Arnold Reuben created the "Reuben Special" around 1914 when the famed Broadway actress, Marjorie Rambeau visited the deli one night for a snack when the cupboards were low on everything.

Arnold Reuben created the sandwich with what he had on hand, and thus, the Reuben was born.

Whichever account is the correct one, we know one thing for sure. These sandwiches are delicious!

Toasted Reuben Sandwich with Aioli Sauce

This first of two delicious Reubens, I have to make this one every once in a while with my corned beef stash. I can not seem to help it. That delicious corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and tasty chipotle aioli sauce are just such a dream.

It's like I'm compelled to make up these sandwiches. That any my family begs me for them! We keep some chipotle aioli in our fridge at all times just for this sandwich. You should too!

Sandwich Ingredients

The ingredient list for this toasted Reuben is incredibly short. It's a delicious sandwich that is definitely more than the sum of its parts.

• corned beef, sliced
• swiss cheese, sliced
• sauerkraut
• chipotle aioli

Chipotle Aioli Sauce Ingredients

Chipotle sauce is a wonderful mix of spiciness from the chipotle and smooth creaminess from the mayo. When you add in the lime juice... Well, it's just about the best thing you'll ever make. AND making it is so easy you can make it fresh whenever you like. You only need a few ingredients.

• mayo
• chives
• garlic
• lime juice
• chipotle chile powder or chipotle hot sauce
• salt
• pepper

Making the Chipotle Aioli Sauce

Making aioli sauce is incredibly easy. It's just a few ingredients, and you just whisk them together. Easy peasy.

• In a small bowl whisk together mayonnaise, chives, garlic, lime juice, and chipotle chile powder or chipotle hot sauce.
• Adjust the amount of chipotle to taste.
• Season with salt and pepper and refrigerate until ready to use.

Making the Toasted Reuben Sandwich

Making this toasted Reuben sandwich is just as easy as making the chipotle aioli sauce. All you'll be doing is assembling the ingredients and then baking it for a few minutes. That's all there is to it!

• Preheat your oven to broil.
• Prepare a rimmed baking sheet with tinfoil and set it aside.
• Place all ingredients at your workstation.
• Slice your buns in half, place on your prepared sheet and put in the oven until browned and toasted.
• Remove toasted buns from your oven.
• Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees.
• Place corned beef on the bottom first.
• Next place sauerkraut and cheese.
• Bake open-faced at 350 degrees for 5 minutes.
• Remove from oven, add chipotle aioli and serve immediately.

Toasted Reuben Sandwich with Homemade Dressing

And now we've come to my second version of my delicious toasted Reuben sandwich. This version uses homemade dressing in place of the chipotle aioli sauce. It's a great option when you either don't feel like a kick of heat or no one else in the family likes spicy food.

This version is equally easy to make, so feel free to try both versions!

Ingredients

Just as with the first Reuben sandwich, the ingredient list of this sandwich is short and sweet. It doesn't take much to create this delicious hand-held family favorite.

• 4 tablespoons (½ stick) of butter
• 4 Pretzel Burger Rolls or your favorite rolls
• ½ pound thinly sliced corned beef from deli or leftover, check out my Instant Pot Corned Beef. It's incredible and super easy to do
• ½ pound Swiss cheese, sliced
• 1 cup Sauerkraut, drained or my super easy homemade

Homemade Dressing Ingredients

This homemade dressing is zesty, but not overly hot, and that works so well with the coolness of the mayo. It's a wonderful topping to your Reuben, and it's so easy to make.

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup chili sauce
• 2 teaspoons horseradish
• 1 teaspoon canned pimentos
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• ½ teaspoon paprika

Making the Homemade Dressing

Making this homemade dressing couldn't be easier. You'll only be blending with a blender and then... nothing. That's it!

1. Prepare the dressing by combining the mayonnaise, chili sauce, horseradish, paprika, canned pimentos, and Worcestershire sauce in a blender.
2. Blend until smooth. Pour the dressing into an airtight container and chill in the fridge overnight, or for at least 3-4 hours.

Making the Toasted Reuben Sandwich with Homemade Dressing

And now we come to it. Making the toasted Reuben sandwich with homemade dressing. This version is equally as easy to make as my chipotle aioli sauce version. You'll only need to do a touch of stove work to make this sandwich, but it won't take very long at all, and it's super easy to do.

• Prepare the Reubens by heating a large skillet over medium heat.
• Slice the pretzel roll in half (if it hasn’t already been done), and spread a dollop of the homemade dressing on the inside of the roll.
• Layer one side of the pretzel roll with alternating slices of Swiss cheese and corned beef (2 slices of each per sandwich).
• Place 2-3 spoonfuls of sauerkraut on top followed by another slice of corned beef and Swiss cheese, and finally the remaining half of the pretzel roll.
• Grease the skillet with at least a tablespoon of butter and place the sandwich on the skillet and firmly press the sandwich down. I like to use a cast iron press (pictured below) and leave it on top of the sandwich while it cooks.
• They are either round or rectangular and they are AMAZING.
• Honestly, I think everyone should have one. They make the best grilled cheese and every other grilled sandwich too.
• The one with the wood handle (pictured below) is cheaper but the handle can get hot. As a result, I have included this model for you to see that has a cool grip but is more than double the price.

• Have a look around for one at your local retail kitchen equipment kind of store and you'll find one. They are terrific to have around in my opinion.
• This cast iron sandwich press recipe is terrific. Think tuna melt or bacon, egg, and cheese. The possibilities are truly endless.
• Grill the Reuben until the bottom side is golden brown before carefully flipping the sandwich and pressing it down while the other side grills to golden brown as well.
• Repeat for each sandwich.
• Serve immediately.

Storing the Reuben and Homemade Dressing

You can store the Homemade Dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Leftover Rueben’s should also be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.

I recommend making Reuben sandwiches fresh and serving them nice and hot as the bread can become soggy when the sandwich is saved for later. They're edible, but they're not amazing like they are when they're fresh.

Try These Toasted Reuben Sandwich Recipes

Both of these toasted Reuben sandwich recipes are hands-down winners every time you serve them. Whether you choose the spicy chipotle aioli sauce or the homemade dressing which features more zest and less heat, your family will be in sandwich heaven.

Our Reuben Crescent Ring is always a crowd pleaser too.Give these recipes a try. You can thank me later!

More Reuben Goodness

If this post has you hungry for more delicious Reuben everything, you're in luck! I've got some more great recipes that involve everything we love about Reuben sandwiches from sauerkraut to corned beef.

Homemade Sauerkraut
Reuben Dressing
Reuben Sliders
Reuben Crescent Ring
Instant Pot Corned Beef
Corned Beef Stew

More Easy Lunches To Try

Tuna Egg Salad Roll Ups

Cheesy Honey Mustard Turkey Roll Ups

Cheesy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pinwheels

Easy Baked Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

Easy Crispy Chicken Salsa Wraps

Slow Cooker Chicken Salad

Easy Chicken Salad Snack Wraps

Easy Smoked Salmon Tortilla Roll Ups

Cheesy Ham Roll Ups

The Best Roast Beef Sandwich

Turkey Club Wrap