Turkey Reuben Sandwich

This tasty turkey Reuben sandwich puts a delicious twist on the classic! With layers of flavorful turkey, tangy sauerkraut, and melty Swiss cheese, it’s impossible to resist.

And let’s not forget the zesty dressing and buttery grilled rye!

Basically, it has all the rich, bold flavors of a Reuben with the lighter touch of turkey instead of corned beef. 

It’s a way to indulge in a scrumptious lunch without ruining your diet for the day.

Why You’ll Love This Turkey Reuben Sandwich

Lighter Fare: This sandwich is perfect for Reuben lovers who need a healthier alternative. The taste is slightly different, but the calorie count is much lower. 

Crunchy Perfection: You grill the marble rye bread in this sandwich to golden-brown perfection. Along with the sauerkraut, it results in a delightful crunchiness. 

Balanced Ingredients: The Swiss cheese, turkey, and sauerkraut are all perfectly layered and balanced. There’s a wonderful blend of textures and tastes in every bite.

Ingredients

• Oven-Roasted Turkey Breast: Get it thickly sliced from the deli for the best taste. It’s flavorful, moist, and delicious.

• Marbled Rye: The distinctive light and dark rye swirls make this bread absolutely beautiful. It’s also sturdy and has a robust flavor. 

• Butter: Generously spread it on the outside of the bread for a crispy, golden-brown exterior. It provides loads of flavor, too. 

• Thousand Island Dressing: The must-have dressing for a classic Reuben. It’s tangy, creamy, and very slightly sweet. For the best flavor, make it from scratch.

• Swiss Cheese: Swiss is mild and nutty and melts like a dream. Add two slices per sandwich for an extra gooey experience. 

• Sauerkraut: The tangy, crunchy condiment that makes a Reuben a Reuben. Drain it well to prevent sogginess. 

• Caraway Seeds: These optional seeds are small but deliver a mighty dose of flavor. You only need a sprinkle, as their anise-like flavor is strong.

How to Make a Turkey Reuben Sandwich

The steps for making this sandwich are pretty straightforward! 

1. Butter the bread. Spread the butter evenly on one side of each piece of bread, going all the way to the edges. 

2. Add the dressing. Place the bread slices butter-side down and spread the dressing evenly over them. 

3. Assemble. Place a slice of Swiss on top of the dressing on each sandwich. Then, add a quarter of the turkey and sauerkraut and a sprinkle of caraway seeds. Top with another slice of Swiss, then close the sandwiches butter-side up. Press gently to adhere. 

4. Grill. Preheat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Once it’s hot, add the sandwiches and cover loosely with foil. Grill them for 3 to 4 minutes until the bottom is crisp and golden brown. Then, flip the sandwiches, recover, and grill for another 3 to 4 minutes until done. 

5. Serve. Transfer the sandwiches to plates and cut them in half diagonally. Serve hot and enjoy! 

Tips for the Best Turkey Reuben Sandwich

Sandwich recipes are typically easy and customizable. Here are a few tips to ensure this one is as simple as possible: 

• Quality is key. Select high-quality deli turkey and cheese. Fresh rye bread is best, and if it’s from a bakery, even better! You can even make your sauerkraut and Thousand Island from scratch. 

• Be generous. Remember to spread the butter all the way to the edges of the bread slices. It’ll help them crisp up nicely and evenly. 

• Ditch the excess liquid. I’ve mentioned this already, but it’s worth repeating. If you don’t drain the sauerkraut, it’ll quickly cause your bread to become soggy. 

• Try a flavor enhancer. Want to enhance the sauerkraut’s zesty flavor? Warm it in the microwave for a few seconds before adding it to the sandwich. It makes a world of difference!

• Be gentle. Be sure to place the foil loosely over the sandwiches while grilling them. You don’t want them tightly sealed. Leave enough room for steam to escape. 

• Try tasty variations. Swap the marbled rye for regular rye, pumpernickel, etc. Coleslaw works for sauerkraut, and Russian dressing is a good replacement for Thousand Island. You can, of course, use whatever deli meat and cheeses you like best. 

• Make them a meal. Pair these sandwiches with chips, dill pickle spears, fries, onion rings, and a cold beer or iced tea. 

How to Store

These sandwiches don’t freeze well, and they taste best fresh. Still, you can keep the leftovers for a few days if necessary. 

To Store: Place the cooled sandwiches in an air-tight container. Or wrap it tightly in aluminum foil. Refrigerate it for up to 3 days. 

To Reheat: Reheat the sandwiches in a preheated skillet over medium-low heat. Just 2 to 3 minutes per side should suffice. The oven is another option. Wrap the sandwich in foil and heat it for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.