Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! If you are looking for a way to celebrate today without spending four hours boiling a brisket, you have come to the right place. This 5-Ingredient Reuben Sandwich is the ultimate easy weeknight dinner for anyone who wants high-end deli flavor with absolutely zero stress. At Easy Dinners For You, we believe that you shouldn't have to choose between a delicious meal and a relaxing evening.
The Reuben is a legendary American classic. While many people associate it with Irish celebrations because of the corned beef, it’s actually a staple of American delis, born right here in the States. It’s salty, tangy, cheesy, and crunchy all at once. By stripping the recipe down to just five essential components, we’ve made it possible to go from the fridge to the table in under 15 minutes. Whether it’s March 17th or just a busy Tuesday, this recipe is going to become a frequent flyer in your kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This
The beauty of this easy weeknight dinner lies in its balance. You get the richness of the Swiss cheese, the saltiness of the corned beef, the sharp tang of the sauerkraut, and the creamy sweetness of the dressing, all held together by toasted rye bread.
You will love this recipe because it requires almost no prep work. There is no chopping, no marinating, and very little cleanup. It’s a "one-pan" wonder if you use a single large skillet to grill the sandwiches. It’s also incredibly filling. Unlike some lighter 5-ingredient dinners, a Reuben is hearty enough to satisfy even the biggest appetites after a long day at work. Plus, it’s a great way to use up deli leftovers if you bought a little too much corned beef for your St. Paddy’s festivities.
Tips for Success
To make sure your 5-Ingredient Reuben comes out like it was made in a professional New York deli, follow these simple tips:
- Drain the Sauerkraut: This is the most important step. If you put the sauerkraut straight from the jar onto the sandwich, the liquid will turn your bread into a soggy mess. Use a fine-mesh strainer or press the kraut between paper towels to get as much moisture out as possible.
- Low and Slow: Don't crank the heat to high. You want the bread to get golden brown and crispy at the same rate the cheese melts and the corned beef warms through. Medium-low heat is your friend here.
- The Butter Secret: To get that perfect "diner-style" crust, you can lightly butter the outside of your bread. If you want to keep it strictly to 5 ingredients and don't want to use butter, a very thin layer of the Russian dressing or even mayonnaise on the outside of the bread works wonders for browning.
- Layering Matters: Always put a slice of cheese on both the top and bottom pieces of bread (touching the bread). This acts as a "glue" to keep the corned beef and sauerkraut from sliding out while you eat.
Variations
While the classic Reuben is hard to beat, you can easily tweak this easy weeknight dinner based on what’s in your pantry or your personal preferences:
- The Rachel: Swap the corned beef for deli turkey and the sauerkraut for coleslaw. It’s a lighter, sweeter version that is just as delicious.
- Bread Choice: We love a seeded rye for that earthy caraway flavor, but a marble rye makes for a beautiful presentation. If you aren't a fan of rye, a thick sourdough is a great substitute.
- Cheese Swap: If Swiss isn't your favorite, try a mild Provolone or even a Havarti. You want something that melts well without overpowering the other flavors.
- The Dressing: Most Reubens use Russian dressing, but Thousand Island is a very common (and slightly sweeter) substitute that works perfectly in this 5-ingredient setup.
Serving Suggestions
This sandwich is a meal all on its own, but if you want to round it out, keep it simple. A large kosher dill pickle spear is the traditional sidekick for a Reuben. You could also serve it with a handful of kettle-cooked potato chips for some extra crunch.
If you're looking for something a bit more substantial, these sandwiches pair beautifully with a simple side salad or a cup of potato soup. If you have an air fryer and want to stick with the "easy" theme, try pairing this with our Easy Air Fryer Ranch Roasted Potatoes for a full feast.
How to Make 5-Ingredient Reuben Sandwiches
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 2 sandwiches
Ingredients
- Rye Bread: 4 slices (Seeded or Marble rye works best)
- Corned Beef: 1/2 lb thinly sliced deli corned beef
- Swiss Cheese: 4 slices
- Sauerkraut: 1/2 cup, thoroughly drained
- Russian Dressing: 4 tablespoons (plus extra for dipping if desired)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Bread
Lay out your four slices of rye bread on a clean workspace. Spread about one tablespoon of Russian dressing on one side of each slice. This ensures every bite has that signature creamy, tangy flavor.
2. Layer the Fillings
On two of the slices (the "bottom" slices), place one slice of Swiss cheese. Top the cheese with a generous pile of the deli corned beef. By putting the meat in the middle, it stays juicy while it heats up.
3. Add the Kraut and Top Cheese
Spread the drained sauerkraut evenly over the corned beef. Place the second slice of Swiss cheese on top of the sauerkraut. Finally, place the remaining slices of bread on top, dressing-side down.
4. Grill to Perfection
Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Place the sandwiches in the pan. If you have a heavy press or another heavy skillet, you can place it on top of the sandwiches to help them brown evenly, though it isn't strictly necessary.
5. Flip and Melt
Cook for about 3–4 minutes until the bottom slice is a deep golden brown. Carefully flip the sandwich with a wide spatula. Cook for another 3–4 minutes on the second side. You’ll know it’s done when the bread is crispy and the Swiss cheese has turned into a gooey, melted blanket around the meat and kraut.
6. Serve Hot
Remove from the heat and let the sandwiches sit for one minute before slicing them diagonally. Serve immediately while the cheese is still stretchy and the bread is warm.
More Easy Weeknight Dinners
If you loved how simple this was, you should check out our other favorite 5-ingredient meals. For another quick sandwich option, our Easy Weeknight Dinner Crockpot Italian Beef is a massive hit. Or, if you want something a bit different for your next Tuesday night, try these 5-Ingredient BBQ Chicken Quesadillas.
Cooking doesn't have to be complicated to be great. Whether it's Saint Patrick's Day or just a regular night when you're short on time, this Reuben sandwich proves that five ingredients are all you need for a restaurant-quality meal at home. Enjoy your dinner!