Reuben Sandwich with Thousand Island Dressing
I absolutely love Saint Patrick’s Day, and in Chicago, it is an all-week long celebration! I am going strong on my Whole30 right now, but I still wanted to share this favorite sandwich of mine. Corned beef is one of my favorite traditions, and it wouldn’t be a Saint Patrick’s Day without using some for a Reuben Sandwich!

Now, if you’ve read about or made my Crunchy Grilled Cheese with Sweet and Savory Caramelized Onions, you know I’m a sandwich expert. I may be gluten-free, but I know how to make a mean sandwich! In fact, I gave one of these Reuben Sandwiches to my neighbor, and he claimed it was the best sandwich he has ever had!
The secret to a good Reuben is to cook it slow and low. You need to make sure the cheese melts completely, and that requires a lot of patience! But trust me, the results are absolutely worth it.

For the Thousand Island Dressing, it couldn’t be simpler and it couldn’t be more delicious! The key is to make sure you’ve chopped everything nice and fine so it creates that beautiful sauce. Dip your sandwich in it for an absolute taste of heaven!
So if you try the sandwich, be sure to rate and review it below. And if you want to follow along, head to Instagram and Pinterest for more inspiration!
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Reuben Sandwich with Thousand Island Dressing
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 sandwiches
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Stovetop
Description
I love corned beef on Saint Patrick’s Day, and a Reuben Sandwich is one of my favorite lunches to celebrate! A sandwich like this is all about low and slow, so take your time and build that lovely brown crust on the bread before flipping.
Ingredients
For the Sandwich:
5 ounces corned beef
6 ounces swiss or gruyere cheese
6 tablespoons sauerkraut
4 slices rye bread
3 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 tablespoons light olive oil
For the Thousand Island Dressing:
3/4 cup mayo
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon vinegar (I used Red Wine Vinegar)
1 tablespoon hot sauce
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1 1/2 tablespoons onions, chopped finely
1/4 cup cornichons, chopped finely
1 hardboiled egg, grated
Pinch of salt
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 300F.
Make the Thousand Island Dressing:
Combine all ingredients for the dressing in a bowl and stir until fully combined. Set aside.
Assemble the sandwich:
Split the cheese into four equal parts. Add one part to a slice of bread, then add 1/2 of the corned beef. Top the beef with 1/2 of the sauerkraut and another part of the cheese. Top with a slice of bread and set aside.
Repeat this process for the second sandwich.
Make the sandwich:
In a sauté pan over medium-low heat, add the butter and light olive oil and allow the butter to melt. Add the sandwiches to the pan and cook. After 8 minutes check to see if the first side is golden brown (it can take up to 12 minutes). Once it is golden brown, carefully flip and cook until the second side until golden, about 8 minutes.
Once both sides are golden brown, place the pan in the oven until the cheese is completely melted, about 4 minutes.
Serve the sandwich with a side of Thousand Island Dressing and enjoy!
Keywords: reuben sandwich, st patrick’s day food
That Reuben looks amazing! Can’t wait to make it?? one of our fave grilled sandwiches !
★★★★★
It’s a classic and there’s so many nice variations. Feel free to use coleslaw instead of sauerkraut
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This sandwich recipe is perfection! I want to make the thousand island ahead of time to save time the day of. How many days ahead of time could I make the 1000 island? Or is it more of a “day of” type of recipe?
★★★★★
I can’t wait for you to see the pastrami recipe coming up