A classic vegan reuben sandwich filled with layers of tangy sauerkraut, a tasty Russian dressing, sliced vegan cheese, and Unreal’s vegan corned beef on a multi-grain rye bread.

Normally I share healthier versions of my favorite foods. But every now and then, my husband and I need to splurge on something fun. And we want to eat something that tastes incredible even if it isn’t as healthy as a buddha bowl, super salad, or veggie sandwich.

Do you ever get like this?

If you’re interested in tasty junk food, look no further. This Classic Vegan Reuben Sandwich is where it’s at. I mean, just look at this beauty.

In case you aren’t familiar, the Classic Reuben is a very grown-up version of a deluxe grilled cheese sandwich filled with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing – all tucked in between two slices of toasted rye bread.

There is absolutely nothing healthy about this sandwich. And I do mean nothing. But, trust me, it sure is tasty!

If you’re still with me, I think it’s safe to say you’re here today for the fantastic vegan junk food. I get you. Sometimes I just need French fries and Oreos. Or this Reuben. So long as we both understand, today is our cheat day.

Now let’s get to it!!

To break this delicious sandwich down, you need to start with some basic ingredients. First up is really good delicious rye bread.

While you can buy or use your favorite rye, I really enjoy making this Reuben with my Dark Rye Artisan Loaf. It’s a dense and chewy artisan-style rye bread with the quintessential caraway seeds inside and a variety of seeds on top. Because it creates excellent sandwich slices, it makes the best grilled cheese and Reuben sandwiches. I also like toasting and topping it with almond butter, bananas, and cinnamon. If you don’t have or like rye bread, feel free to use any kind of dense bread you choose.

The next important ingredient in this Classic Vegan Reuben Sandwich is good vegan sliced cheese. There are many really satisfying options available today. I recommend using Violife’s Smoked Provolone Cheese or Follow Your Heart’s Smoked Gouda vegan cheese. Both are ideal in this sandwich. Obviously it’s not the traditional Swiss cheese, but the flavors tend to be a little more complex and are a fairly comparable substitute.

The next three ingredients require no substituting. In order to make a Classic Vegan Reuben Sandwich, you need vegan butter or margarine, a stout sauerkraut, and a tangy Russian dressing. I like using Myoko’s vegan butter, but you can use your favorite butter or margarine. If you avoid oil, no problem. Simply omit it. But who are we kidding here?

You can also use whatever sauerkraut you can get your hands on. You can make your own, purchase the jarred variety, or that bagged version in the chilled deli section of your grocery store. Honestly, they’re all good. It’s a matter of taste and preference. I’m not picky. The cool thing about sauerkraut is it’s fermented cabbage, which means good probitoics that contribute to gut health. But since this isn’t a very nutritious post, we won’t dwell on that tiny tidbit too much.

Now it’s time to prepare the Russian dressing, which consists of vegan mayo and a whole lot of flavor!! Simply stir in equal measures of ketchup, hot sauce, pickle relish, horseradish, and vegan Worcestershire sauce. Then top it off with a touch of paprika, onion powder, and salt and pepper. And voila! You have some incredibly flavorful Russian dressing to take this Classic Vegan Reuben Sandwich to a whole new Epic level!

The final component is a bit tricky, but I admit it really is the star of this sandwich. I recommend trying and using Mrs. Goldfarb’s Unreal vegan deli corned beef. Yes, I ordered it online specifically for this sandwich. It’s that good. I don’t actually use it for anything else. And this Unreal vegan deli corned beef lasts us a while because (1) we don’t eat these very often, (2) a little goes a long way, and (3) it actually freezes quite well (despite the package instructions).

If you can get your hands on a thin deli-style vegan meat, by all means, you should use that. Otherwise, this is the real deal. The results are unreal (yeah, I know, pun intended).

Now that we’ve covered the specs, this Classic Vegan Reuben Sandwich is super easy to assemble. Just like a regular grilled cheese sandwich, start by heating a skillet or griddle and lay out your ingredients. It makes the assembly line super easy. Place four pieces of bread on a cutting board or counter. Spread a portion of Russian dressing on one side. Top it with the Unreal deli meat, then the sauerkraut, slice of cheese, and another slice of bread. If desired, spread a little butter on one side of the bread.

Now cook the sandwich on the heated skillet or griddle until the bread is nicely toasted, flipping it over for another few minutes. The cheese should melt. If not, you can either place a lid over the sandwich for about a minute or you can put your sandwich in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds. I know, I know. But it works like a charm. I prefer the cheese on my Reuben melted.

And that’s it! Oh, wait. If you really want to make this meal even more unhealthy and delicious, serve your Classic Vegan Reuben Sandwich with french fries or potato chips. It’s a great splurge! Besides, today’s our cheat day, remember?

I hope you enjoy this Classic Vegan Reuben Sandwich as much as I do.

I’m just starting out and would love to see your results. Please leave a comment and rate it down below, tag a picture @pebblesandtoast and #pebblesandtoast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook! Enjoy!!

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Ingredients

Vegan butter or margarine (optional)
8 slices Dark Rye Artisan Loaf or multi-grain rye bread*
Russian dressing (recipe follows)
1 cup Sauerkraut, drained
4 slices of white vegan cheese slices**
8 ounces Mrs. Goldfarb’s Unreal vegan deli corned beef***
Salt to taste (optional)

Russian Dressing Ingredients

¼ cup mayonnaise
1 Tbsp ketchup
1 tsp hot sauce
1 tsp pickle relish
1 tsp bottled horseradish
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
¼ tsp paprika
¼ tsp onion powder
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Make the Russian dressing. In a small bowl, stir together all of the Russian dressing ingredients. Set aside.
Set an electric griddle on 325°F or place a large skillet over medium-low heat.
On a cutting board or wax paper, set out the bread. Spread a thin layer of butter on four of the slices. Turn four of the slices over and spread an even layer of Russian dressing on each, then top with sauerkraut, and pile on some of the corned beef. Place a slice of cheese over the corned beef.

Top with another slice of bread to make four sandwiches. Press the sandwich together slightly and place in a skillet. If desired, spread a thin layer of butter on the top bread slice.
and grill the sandwich until the bread is browned and crisped.
Flip sandwich over to grill other side.
Serve immediately.

Notes

* I highly recommend using rye bread, like my Dark Rye Artisan Loaf. If you don’t like rye bread or are gluten-free, any bread works.

** I love using Follow Your Heart’s smoked gouda vegan cheese, but you can use any white cheese, including provolone, swiss, or mozzarella.

*** I like using Mrs. Goldfarb’s Unreal vegan deli corned beef, but you can use any vegan deli slices.