Pastrami Reuben Sandwich

Name: Pastrami Reuben Sandwich
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: jewish_american
Ingredients: 4 slices rye bread (lightly marbled or seedless); 200 g pastrami (thinly sliced); 4 slices swiss cheese (thin slices); 0.5 cup sauerkraut (drained and squeezed dry); 2 tbsp butter (softened, for grilling); 3 tbsp russian dressing (store-bought or homemade)

RATING

4.6/5(185)

TASTE SCORE

9/10

A hot, grilled deli classic layering peppery pastrami, tangy sauerkraut, melted Swiss cheese, and creamy Russian dressing between slices of rye bread. Every bite delivers crunch, saltiness, and a satisfying savory punch that's ready in under 20 minutes.

PREP

COOK

10m

SERVES

1 PIECE

731 cal

SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS

For 2 servings

4 slicesrye bread · lightly marbled or seedless200 gpastrami · thinly sliced4 slicesswiss cheese · thin slices½ cupsauerkraut · drained and squeezed dry2 tbspbutter · softened, for grilling3 tbsprussian dressing · store-bought or homemade

NUTRITION · PER SERVING

731

CALORIES · 1 PIECE

Protein44g · 24%

Carbs41g · 22%

Fat44g · 54%

Fiber5g

Sugar7g

Saturated fat23g

Cholesterol158mg

Sodium2152mg

Potassium465mg

Phosphorus704mg

How we calculate →

METHOD · 6 STEPS

prep
Drain the sauerkraut and prepare the dressing.
1.Squeeze the sauerkraut in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels until very dry.
2.Set out the pastrami and cheese slices so they're ready to layer.
mix
Butter the bread.
Spread softened butter evenly on one side of each bread slice—these will be the outside faces that hit the pan.
assemble
Build the sandwiches.
1.Place 2 bread slices buttered-side down on a clean surface.
2.Spread half of the Russian dressing on the unbuttered side of each bottom slice.
3.Layer half of the pastrami on each, folding it loosely to create height.
4.Top pastrami with the drained sauerkraut, then 2 slices of Swiss cheese.
5.Spread remaining dressing on the unbuttered side of the top bread slices and close sandwiches, buttered-side up.
grill · ~8 min
Grill the sandwiches to golden brown.
1.Place a skillet over medium heat and let it warm for 1 minute.
2.Place both sandwiches in the skillet and cook until the bottom is deep golden and crisp, about 4 minutes.
3.Press down gently with a spatula—you want even contact without smashing the filling.
4.Flip carefully and grill the second side until cheese melts and bread is crisp, another 3 to 4 minutes.
TIPMedium heat is key—too hot and the bread will burn before the cheese melts.
rest · ~1 min
Rest briefly and slice.
Transfer sandwiches to a cutting board and let them sit 1 minute so the cheese sets slightly. Cut diagonally.
serve
Serve immediately with a pickle spear.
Plate each half alongside a crisp dill pickle spear and a little extra Russian dressing for dipping.

PRO TIPS

What to keep in mind.

5 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.

1
Squeeze the sauerkraut very dry to prevent a soggy sandwich.
2
Use thinly sliced pastrami and fold it loosely for better texture.
3
Butter the bread all the way to the edges for even golden crispness.
4
Grill over medium heat so the cheese melts before the bread burns.
5
Let the finished sandwich rest 1 minute before cutting for cleaner slices.

RECIPE VARIATIONS

Adapt it for your goals.

low oil

Low-oil

Use a nonstick pan and skip the butter; instead, spray the bread lightly with cooking spray. This reduces fat while still achieving a crispy exterior.

high protein

High-protein

Add an extra layer of thinly sliced turkey or corned beef alongside the pastrami for a heartier, protein-packed sandwich.

jain

Jain

Omit the onion and garlic from the Russian dressing (use a Jain-friendly version) and replace Swiss cheese with a plant-based cheese to make it suitable for Jain dietary restrictions.

vegan

Vegan

Substitute the pastrami with smoky marinated tempeh or seitan, use vegan Swiss-style cheese, and make a vegan Russian dressing with vegan mayo and ketchup.

HEALTH BENEFITS