There are sandwiches, and then there are sandwiches that require two hands, several napkins, and a willingness to accept that some of the contents will eventually end up on your shirt.
The Reuben belongs proudly in the second category.
It's a glorious combination of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and tangy dressing, grilled between two slices of rye bread until everything is hot, crispy, and just messy enough to qualify as a proper meal.
And unlike many of Captain Moonboot's culinary adventures, this one can be completed in about 20 minutes, leaving plenty of time for more important activities, such as explaining to the government why you haven't received the money they already agreed to send you.
⏱️ Recipe Information
Servings: 2 hearty sandwiches
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10–12 minutes
Total Time: 20–22 minutes
The preparation time includes mixing the homemade Russian dressing, draining the sauerkraut and assembling the sandwiches with corned beef, Swiss cheese and rye bread.
The cooking time allows the sandwiches to become golden and crispy on both sides while the cheese melts and the filling heats through.
Two generously filled sandwiches make two proper Harriston-sized servings. No single-slice-of-French-toast nonsense from the Department of Portion Control!
🛒 Ingredients
For the Sandwiches
- 4 slices rye bread
- 6–8 oz (170–225 g) sliced corned beef
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
- ½ cup sauerkraut, well drained
- 2 tbsp softened butter
- 4 tbsp homemade Russian dressing (recipe below)
For the Russian Dressing
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1½ tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp prepared horseradish
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp sweet pickle relish
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika
- Pinch of black pepper
🥣 Step 1: Make the Dressing
In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, pickle relish, smoked paprika, and black pepper.
Stir until smooth.
Taste and adjust the horseradish if you'd like a little more kick.
Set aside.
Moonboot Kitchen Observation: Russian dressing apparently has very little to do with Russia. This is reassuring, because Captain Moonboot has no intention of obtaining an import permit just to make lunch.
🥬 Step 2: Prepare the Sauerkraut
Drain the sauerkraut thoroughly, pressing out as much moisture as possible.
This step is important.
Wet sauerkraut produces soggy sandwiches, and soggy sandwiches are generally considered a failure of both engineering and lunch preparation.
If you prefer a milder flavour, rinse the sauerkraut briefly under cold water before squeezing it dry.
🥪 Step 3: Assemble the Sandwiches
Lay the four slices of rye bread on a cutting board.
Spread one side of each slice with Russian dressing.
On two slices, layer the ingredients in this order:
- One slice of Swiss cheese
- Half the corned beef
- Half the sauerkraut
- Another slice of Swiss cheese
- Top with the remaining bread, dressing side inward
Spread softened butter on the outside of both sandwiches.
At this point, they should look slightly overstuffed.
This is intentional.
🔥 Step 4: Grill to Perfection
Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat.
Place the sandwiches in the skillet and cook for approximately 4–5 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula.
The bread should become golden brown and crispy while the Swiss cheese melts.
If the bread browns before the cheese melts, reduce the heat and cover the skillet briefly.
Remove the sandwiches and let them rest for about one minute before slicing diagonally.
The diagonal cut is essential.
Nobody knows why, but sandwiches cut diagonally taste approximately 37% better.
World HQ has not independently verified this figure.
🌙 Moonboot Modifications
The Turkey Reuben
Replace the corned beef with sliced turkey and the sauerkraut with coleslaw.
This variation is commonly called a Rachel sandwich.
Captain Moonboot has no explanation for why changing the meat and cabbage also requires changing the woman's name.
The Extra-Cheesy Bad Decision
Add another slice of Swiss cheese to each sandwich.
No further explanation is necessary.
The Budget-Friendly Version
Use leftover roast beef or thinly sliced deli ham instead of corned beef.
It won't technically be a traditional Reuben, but the sandwich police have limited resources and are unlikely to investigate.
The Rye Bread Objection
If somebody doesn't enjoy rye bread, substitute sourdough or another sturdy sandwich bread.
World HQ encourages individual freedom in bread selection.
🥒 What Goes with It?
A dill pickle spear and a handful of potato chips are the traditional companions.
For a more substantial meal, serve the Reuben with a bowl of tomato soup.
And if you're feeding The Missus, consider offering half your sandwich before she starts eyeing it.
This is known as preventative domestic diplomacy.
🧊 Storage and Leftovers
Russian dressing can be refrigerated in a covered container for 3–4 days.
The sandwiches are best eaten immediately, although leftovers can be refrigerated promptly and reheated in a skillet the following day.
Avoid the microwave if possible. It tends to turn the crispy rye bread into something resembling a damp kitchen sponge.
📖 From the Captain's Log
There is something wonderfully democratic about a sandwich.
You don't need an expensive kitchen, a culinary degree, or permission from a government department to make one.
You take two pieces of bread, put whatever you like between them, and declare lunch.
Of course, somewhere along the way, somebody decided that a sandwich containing corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing should be named after a fellow called Reuben.
Captain Moonboot has investigated the matter and discovered competing stories about who invented it.
This is precisely the sort of historical controversy that could occupy a parliamentary committee for eighteen months.
Fortunately, World HQ has developed a more efficient approach.
We eat the evidence.
Case closed. 😁🥪
🚨 WORLD HQ FILING NOTICE
Recipe #16 introduces a proper grilled deli sandwich to Making Salsa: Recipes & Other Bad Decisions from Captain Moonboot.
We've now ventured into salsa, breakfast, soups, chicken, desserts, chili, appetizers, casseroles, slow-cooker meals, barbecue sauces, and sandwiches.
The Recipe Images Department should have an excellent time with this one: golden toasted rye bread, melted Swiss cheese, generous layers of corned beef, and a little Russian dressing escaping onto the plate.
Captain Moonboot's official sandwich policy: If you can eat it without a napkin, you probably didn't put enough in it.