By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on October 4, 2026

McReuben Corned Beef Sandwich

Serves 4

743 cal · 30 min

McReuben Corned Beef Sandwich

Recipe GLPR999d22a338100b

Rate this recipe

Average rating: 4.0 (1)

American
Main Course
30 min
743 cal
Servings: 4
Microwave
Stovetop
SNAP eligible

A hearty grilled sandwich featuring seasoned sauerkraut tossed with creamy mayo and melted Swiss cheese layered with tender corned beef on toasted sourdough or rye bread. Each sandwich is pan-fried until golden and crispy on both sides with melted cheese binding all the flavors together. This classic deli-style sandwich delivers tangy, savory, and satisfying comfort in every bite.

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Ingredients

14½ oz Canned sauerkraut, drained and squeezed dry

2 tbsp Mayonnaise

3 drops Green food coloring (optional)

1 loaf Sliced sourdough French bread or rye bread

10 oz Swiss cheese, sliced

10 oz Corned beef, thinly sliced

2 tbsp Butter, softened, for spreading

Thousand Island dressing (optional)

Directions

  1. Drain the canned sauerkraut thoroughly and squeeze out excess moisture. In a microwavable bowl, combine the drained sauerkraut with mayonnaise and green food coloring if desired; mix until well blended. Spread softened butter on one side of each bread slice.

  2. Heat the sauerkraut mixture in the microwave for approximately 1 minute until warmed through. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat.

  3. Place one slice of bread butter-side down in the hot skillet. Layer cheese slices on top of the bread, followed by a portion of the thinly sliced corned beef, then a generous helping of the warm sauerkraut mixture. Add a small amount of Thousand Island dressing if using. Top with a second slice of bread, butter-side up.

  4. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until the bottom bread slice turns golden brown and the cheese begins to melt, approximately 3–4 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.

  5. Using a spatula, carefully flip the sandwich and cook the other side until it is golden brown and crispy, about 2–3 minutes more, until the cheese is completely melted.

  6. Transfer the finished sandwich to a serving plate. Repeat steps 3 through 5 with remaining bread, cheese, corned beef, and sauerkraut to make additional sandwiches. If desired, drizzle extra Thousand Island dressing on top of each sandwich before serving.

Comments

Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff4

The McReuben hits the Charlotte grocery pipeline with ease: corned beef, swiss, sauerkraut, and bread are standard at Harris Teeter, Food Lion, and Walmart, though green food coloring for novelty mayo requires a quick ALDI or Walmart stop if your regular shop doesn't stock it. The stated 30 minutes is honest for assembly and warming, though sauerkraut straight from the jar tastes flat without a quick sauté—budget five extra minutes if you want depth. At roughly $2.50 to $3.00 per serving depending on corned beef sale prices, this is mid-weeknight cost; the real anchor is the corned beef itself, which runs $6 to $9 per pound. This is a one-off, same-night dinner that doesn't reheat well because of the bread, and it's a novelty play on the Reuben, so its appeal depends on your household's taste for McDonald's-ified twists on a deli classic.

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