The Reuben sandwich is a classic deli favorite, piled high with hot corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing between slices of grilled rye bread. But you can give this iconic sandwich a fun twist by swapping out the corned beef for sliced turkey. The Turkey Reuben makes for a tasty and lighter rendition of the original.
Making your own Turkey Reuben at home is easy. With just a few basic ingredients and simple assembly, you can enjoy this hot and melty sandwich any time. Follow the steps below to learn how to put together the perfect Turkey Reuben.
Ingredients
To make one Turkey Reuben sandwich you will need
- 2 slices rye bread
- 2-3 ounces sliced deli turkey (about 3-4 slices)
- 2 slices Swiss cheese
- 1⁄4 cup sauerkraut, drained
- 2-3 tablespoons Thousand Island dressing
- 1-2 tablespoons butter, softened
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep the Ingredients
- Take the sauerkraut out of the fridge and drain off any excess liquid. You just want the crunchy fermented cabbage, not the brine.
- Lightly butter one side of each slice of rye bread. You can use salted or unsalted butter.
- Get the Swiss cheese slices ready.
- Prepare the deli turkey by stacking the slices.
- Make sure you have enough Thousand Island dressing.
2. Assemble the Sandwich
- Place one slice of bread buttered-side down on a plate or cutting board.
- Spread 1-2 tablespoons of Thousand Island dressing evenly over the bread.
- Top the dressing with 2 slices of Swiss cheese.
- Add about 1/4 cup of the drained sauerkraut on top of the cheese.
- Next, layer on the sliced turkey, using 2-3 ounces or 3-4 slices of meat.
- Finish with the second slice of rye bread, placing it buttered-side up on top of the sandwich.
- Lightly press down on the top of the sandwich to compact it before cooking.
3. Cook the Sandwich
You can cook your Turkey Reuben a couple different ways:
On the Stovetop:
- Heat a skillet over medium heat.
- Place the assembled sandwich in the pan.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until the bread is toasted and the cheese is fully melted.
In the Oven:
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Place the assembled sandwich on a small baking sheet.
- Bake for 5-10 minutes until heated through and cheese is melted.
In a Sandwich Press:
- If you have a sandwich press or panini maker, cook the sandwich according to appliance instructions until the bread has grill marks and the cheese is melted.
4. Slice and Serve
- Once cooked and melted, remove the Turkey Reuben from the heat and slice diagonally.
- For an authentic Reuben presentation, secure the sliced sandwich with decorative toothpicks.
- Serve immediately while the Turkey Reuben is still hot and melty.
And your crave-worthy Turkey Reuben sandwich is ready to enjoy! The contrast of flavors and textures between the hearty rye bread, melted cheese, tangy sauerkraut, sweet dressing, and tender turkey is absolutely delicious. This simple spin on the classic Reuben is sure to satisfy.
Turkey Reuben Tips
- Use good quality bread. Look for fresh bakery rye bread whenever possible for the best flavor and texture.
- The sauerkraut can be swapped for drained coleslaw mix or fresh chopped cabbage.
- Substitute pastrami or corned beef for the turkey if you want a classic deli Reuben.
- Try different cheeses like Gruyere, provolone, or muenster.
- Spread both slices of bread with a thin layer of mustard or Thousand Island dressing.
- Add pickles, pickled jalapeños, or caramelized onions for extra flavor.
- Brush the outside of the assembled sandwich with butter before cooking for extra browning.
- Press down while cooking to help the sandwich hold together and get a nice crisp crust.
- Let the cooked sandwich rest for a minute or two before slicing to allow the fillings to set.
- Change up the protein with rotisserie chicken, smoked ham, roast beef, or plant-based meat.
- For a lower-carb option, wrap the sandwich fillings in lettuce leaves instead of bread.
With so many easy ways to customize your Turkey Reuben, you can reinvent this sandwich over and over again. Play around with flavors and make it your own. The hot, hearty, melty goodness of a Turkey Reuben is sure satisfy your next deli sandwich craving.
Tips for making the best turkey Reuben sandwiches
- Ask for smoked turkey at the deli counter, don’t buy pre-packed sliced turkey. I like Boar’s Head brand, and they have many different styles of roasted turkey to choose from. Smoked turkey will give a little bit of a nod to the corned beef that we’re supplanting in this sandwich.
- Ask for your turkey to be ‘sandwich sliced’ ~ that’s deli-speak for not too thick and not too thin. It gives the turkey just the right amount of body for the sandwich.
- If you are using leftover holiday turkey, try to slice it as thin as you can.
- If you find that the bottom of your sandwich gets a bit soggy
- You can try toasting the bread first, which will form more or a barrier against the moisture from the Russian dressing.
- You can leave the dressing off the bottom piece of bread.
- Or, instead of adding dressing to the bottom piece of bread, add it on top of the turkey layer of your sandwich.
Now we start layering our turkey Reubens
- Butter one side of each piece of bread
- Flip the bread over and spread each with Russian dressing.
- Pile sliced turkey on one half.
- Top that with sauerkraut (drained!)
- Add Swiss cheese
- Close up your sandwich. Buttered sides should be to the outside.
How To Make The Best Turkey Reuben Sandwich
FAQ
What’s the difference between a turkey Rachel and a turkey Reuben?
What is a traditional Reuben made of?
How do you keep a Reuben sandwich from getting soggy?
What is the difference between a Reuben and a corned beef sandwich?
How do you make a turkey Reuben sandwich?
Deli style turkey Reuben sandwiches grilled up in the oven, on a sheet pan! 8 slices rye bread, use any style you like. 5-6 Tbsp ketchup (I used my favorite jalapeño ketchup, Heinz makes it.) Butter one side of each slice of bread. Flip the slices over so the un-buttered side is up. Spread Russian dressing on the unbuttered sides of the bread.
What is a turkey Reuben stuffed with?
Halves of a turkey reuben stuffed with roast turkey meat, sauerkraut, and thousand island dressing. Recipe FAQs and Expert Tips Very easy turkey sandwiches made from leftover turkey from Thanksgiving dinner! This hearty lunch is ready in 10 minutes! Uses homemade Thousand Island Dressing!
Is a turkey burger a Reuben sandwich?
Instead of corned beef, the sandwich is loaded with turkey. It’s a twist on a classic Reuben sandwich that is almost as popular as the original. If you love this sandwich and want more, try my Turkey Burgers and Turkey Carberry Brie Grilled Cheese.
Can you cook a Reuben without cheese?
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. Can I make Turkey Reuben ahead of time? Can I make Turkey Reuben without sauerkraut?