Turkey Reuben

A twist on a classic Reuben sandwich that is almost as popular and the original. A Turkey Reuben features all the flavors that you know and love like rye bread, thousand island dressing, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese. Instead of corned beef, the sandwich is loaded with turkey.

Turkey Reuben

This is an unforgettably good twist on the classic Reuben sandwich. The only difference is the meat! Instead of corned beef, we’re using roasted turkey breast. Although, you can use just about any kind of turkey to make this sandwich. Use leftover turkey, roasted turkey breast, deli-sliced turkey, and even smoked turkey.

So, what exactly makes a Reuben? A traditional Reuben sandwich features ingredients like thousand island dressing, swiss cheese, and sauerkraut all sandwiched between two slices of buttery, toasted rye bread. To make it absolutely the best experience, make sure to cook the sandwich in the pan and let the ingredients heat through.

This is one of my all-time favorite recipes to make the day after Thanksgiving, and not just because it helps me clear up some space in my fridge by getting rid of some turkey meat…But also because of how easy it is to make!

Thanksgiving day is like the Olympics of home cooking. You’re constantly watching various timers and temperatures and trying to make sure every little detail is just right. The day after all of that madness, you deserve a little rest and relaxation. This easy sandwich recipe comes together in just a few simple steps in just about 15 short minutes!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

You may already have some of these ingredients already in your kitchen! If not, no worries. This short and simple list of ingredients is blissfully budget-friendly.

• Butter – I prefer using unsalted butter, but you can opt for salted if preferred.
• Bread – slices of deli rye or marble rye bread will get the job done!
• Thousand Island Dressing – You can NOT make any form of a Reuben without this signature ingredient!
• Turkey – I tend to use leftover Thanksgiving turkey if I have it on hand. This recipe also works well with deli meat or roasted turkey breast if that’s more convenient.
• Swiss Cheese – For the best flavor, try to get some fresh slices from the deli.
• Sauerkraut – Make sure to squeeze out all of those excess liquids before you add it to your sandwich. Otherwise, your bread will get super soggy.

Step by Step Instructions

In just about 15 minutes, you’ll have your new favorite sandwich ready to eat! This warm, cheesy, and buttery Turkey Reuben is easy to make and even easier to eat.

Butter it up.

Preheat a pan over medium-low heat. Melt the butter and move the pan around to spread the butter in an even layer.

Assemble the sandwich.

Place the rye bread slices in the pan. Spread the thousand island dressing all over each slice.

Place the squeezed sauerkraut on two of the slices of bread. Add two slices of swiss cheese to the remaining two slices.

Layer the turkey meat over the cheese.

Once the cheese is melted and the buttered side of the bread begins to crisp, use a spatula to very carefully place one slice over the other to close the sandwich. Repeat.

Continue cooking.

Cook for a few more minutes on each side until the sandwich is as thoroughly cooked as you’d like it to be. Press it down gently.

Remove the sandwich from the pan once it reaches the level of cooked you’d like it to be. Slice it in half, serve, and enjoy!

Tips For The Best Results:

• Measure your ingredients with care. No one wants a Reuben with way too much sauerkraut or way too little cheese. Make sure you really measure all of your ingredients with care when you assemble the sandwiches so you get the best bite every time! A Reuben is a delicious balancing act of different flavors.
• Don’t close the sandwich before adding it to the pan. Have you ever tried to flip a sandwich in a hot pan, only to have it all fall apart? Avoid that by first melting the cheese. That way, when the sandwich is closed and flipped, it’ll stay put together so much easier.
• Keep the temperature medium-low. Here’s the deal – this is a quick recipe. Don’t try to make it even quicker by increasing the heat! By cooking the Reuben at a medium-low heat, you’re giving the cheese enough time to melt while also letting the buttery rye bread get perfectly crispy on the outside. If you turn up the heat, you’ll likely burn the bread without the cheese melting enough.

Some More Delicious Turkey Sandwiches:

The BEST Turkey Burgers

Turkey Cranberry Brie Grilled Cheese

Asiago Turkey Sliders

Leftover Turkey Sliders

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