If you have ever been to New York City, you must have tried the iconic Reuben sandwich at one of the Jewish delis in the city. A Reuben is a classic deli offering that consists of ingredients made or sold at the delicatessen in question.
The best thing about the Reuben sandwich is that it has a perfect balance of savory flavors. From meatiness and saltiness from the corned beef to the gooey cheesiness of the Swiss cheese, a Reuben sandwich carries various ingredients that create a party of flavors and textures in your mouth. A Reuben sandwich is easy to make at home with leftover corned beef. You can simply combine all ingredients to make a delicious sandwich that you can enjoy at lunch or dinner with crisp white wine.
What Is a Reuben Sandwich?
A Reuben sandwich is one of the most popular sandwiches at hotels and restaurants all over the USA. It is a hearty and fulfilling sandwich made with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, corned beef, Russian dressing, and rye bread.
It is made with simple ingredients and offers a wonderful harmony of various flavors and textures. You can taste a sharp tanginess in the sandwich from the sauerkraut, creamy cheesiness from the Swiss cheese, and a meaty and salty taste from the corned beef.
The Reuben sandwich is made with fresh corned beef, which complements other ingredients in the sandwich well. There are many variations of the classic Reuben sandwich, as some prefer to add thousand-island dressing to their sandwiches rather than Russian dressing.
Reuben Sandwich – History and Background
There is quite a lot of controversy about who invented the first Reuben sandwich. Most people agree that the first Reuben sandwich was made around the 1920s or 1930s.
However, there has been a lot of debate as to who the actual person was that invented the delightful sandwich.
Here are some of the people who have been thought to be the original inventor of the sandwich:
Bernard Schimmel
Bernard Schimmel’s father started a chain of hotels in Chicago and trained all four of his sons in hospitality skills. Bernard Schimmel was sent to study cooking at École Hôtelière in Lausanne, Switzerland.
When he returned to the US in the 1920s, he began working at the Blackstone Hotel in Omaha, Nebraska, where his friends often played poker. One time when the men grew hungry, they asked Bernard for some snacks as they played.
For Reuben Kulakofsky, it is believed that Bernard created a special sandwich made from Swiss cheers, corned beef, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing. The sandwich was made from rye bread and was pressed hot before serving. It was an instant hit with the men, especially Reuben.
Read our Complete Guide to Corned Beef
Reuben Kulakofsky
Reuben Kulakofsky was a Jewish grocer from Lithuania who used to play poker with his friends at the Blackstone Hotel in Omaha.
It is rumored that Reuben made the sandwich himself as he wanted a sandwich made from corned beef and sauerkraut while he played, and Bernard Schimmel merely delivered a deli platter to the poker players. However, these claims are dubious since the Reuben sandwich is traditionally pressed and requires the use of a utensil similar to a panini maker.
Arnold Reuben
Arnold Reuben was the owner of Reuben’s Delicatessen in New York City in the early 20th century. His sandwiches were quite popular with celebrities of the time as they came to Reuben’s deli after the theater.
For Charlie Chaplin’s leading lady, Reuben invented the Annette Seelos Special, a sandwich made from ham, cheese, dressing, turkey, and coleslaw, similar to a Reuben sandwich.
Craig Claiborne shared that Reuben actually made a sandwich called the Reuben Sandwich in 1914.
Bernard Sobel stated in his book Broadway Heartbeat: Memoirs of a Press Agent from 1953 that the sandwich was created to appease the actress Marjorie Rambeau, who visited the delicatessen on a night when there weren’t many ingredients present.
Alfred Schueing
Alfred Schueing was a chef at Reuben’s Delicatessen who has been thought to be the inventor of the Reuben sandwich. He made that sandwich for Arnold Reuben’s son, Arnold Jr., in the 1930s.
J. O Dahl
Menu Making for Professionals in Quantity Cookery is a cookbook from 1941 that contains a recipe for a Reuben sandwich written by a New York-based author named J. O Dahl. The Reuben in this recipe is made from sliced corned beef, sauerkraut, dressing, Switzerland cheese, and rye bread.
What Are the Ingredients of a Reuben Sandwich?
A Reuben sandwich is simple to make, granted you have all the essential ingredients ready. The most important ingredients used in the sandwich have been listed below:
Corned Beef
You can make a Reuben sandwich from homemade, store-bought, or deli corned beef. However, it is best to choose freshly sliced corned beef from a deli instead of the pre-packaged variety since it has a more robust flavor.
Russian Dressing
Russian dressing is a crucial part of a traditional Reuben sandwich as it contains creamy mayonnaise, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and more sweet and sour elements that elevate the sandwich.
Sauerkraut
For a hint of tanginess and an ingredient that can cut through the buttery Swiss cheese, you need to add sauerkraut to your Reuben sandwich. Sauerkraut complements the saltiness of the corned beef and cheese perfectly. You can choose canned or jarred sauerkraut as per your preference.
Swiss Cheese
Any Swiss cheese can be used to make a Reuben sandwich, but the best one is Gruyere. Gruyere is a type of Swiss cheese that is most often used in cheese fondue or French onion soup. The cheese has a fantastic smooth and buttery texture and tastes amazing when melted. Moreover, Gruyere also complements the flavor of corned beef and pressed rye bread quite well.
Rye Bread
Jewish rye bread, Russian rye bread, marbled rye bread, or Pumpernickel rye bread are all great options that can be used to create a Reuben sandwich. Choose your favorite rye bread that is sprinkled with caraway and rye seeds.
How to Make a Reuben Sandwich?
Building a Reuben sandwich is quite easy, and you can enjoy your favorite sandwich within minutes if you have all the ingredients.
The first step of the process is to prepare the rye bread for the sandwich. Apply Russian dressing on the inside of the rye bread slices and a thin layer of butter on the outer side of the slices.
Add in the Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and corned beef over one slice of bread. Place the other bread slice on top with the buttered side up and put the sandwich on a warm skillet.
You can press down the sandwich if you prefer your sandwich to be crunchier.
After grilling both sides of the sandwich for a few minutes on low heat, check if the cheese has melted and if the bread has a nice golden brown color on top. Take the sandwich off the skillet and enjoy it with dill pickles or French fries.
Reuben Sandwich – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is a Reuben sandwich Irish or German?
Although there are multiple claims about who invented the first Reuben sandwich, it is widely understood that a Reuben sandwich has German origins since it is inspired by American-Jewish cuisine. This cuisine was established by Jews who had migrated to the USA from Germany or Lithuania.
What is a good side dish for a Reuben sandwich?
There are many delicious sides you can enjoy with a hot Reuben sandwich. A Reuben sandwich pairs well with a fresh salad, potato salad, pickles, potato chips, French fries, coleslaw, and sauerkraut.
What wine pairs well with a Reuben Sandwich?
If you are looking for the correct type of wine to pair with your favorite Reuben sandwich, choose the best crisp white wine you can find. A crisp white wine with a hint of sweetness pairs wonderfully with the cheese and flavorful meat of the Reuben sandwich. It is recommended to enjoy sparkling wine, Riesling, or Gewürztraminer with your Reuben sandwich.
How many calories are in a Reuben sandwich?
The number of calories you consume while eating a Reuben sandwich depends on the type and quantity of ingredients added. When you enjoy a Reuben sandwich with rye bread, two ounces of Swiss Cheese, sauerkraut, four ounces of corned beef, Russian dressing, and mustard, you will have consumed about 812 calories.
When is National Reuben Sandwich Day?
March 14th is known as National Reuben Sandwich Day.
How to Make a Grilled Reuben Sandwich | Sandwich Recipe
Watch how to make a traditional grilled Reuben sandwich with slices of corned beef, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut. It’s easy to make this deli classic at home!
Summary
The Reuben sandwich is an iconic sandwich traditionally featuring sauerkraut, Russian dressing, Swiss cheese, corned beef, and rye bread. It is the best way you can enjoy corned beef as the sandwich contains sweet, creamy, tangy, and cheesy elements that perfectly complement the meat’s saltiness. Although Reuben sandwiches are available at Kosher-style delis, they are not kosher since they have meat and cheese paired together. Over the years, there has been much debate over the origins of this Kosher-style sandwich, but everyone can agree that we’re all pleased about the invention of the Rueben sandwich.
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My name is Jay and I started this website to share my love of Deli Food. I am Jewish with Italian ancestry and grandparents who emigrated to the US from Poland, Russia and Turkey. This website is my celebration of the delicious flavors of international deli culture. Please feel free to send me your suggestions and feedback through the contact form.
