Killer Ham Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Russian Horseradish Sauce (2024)

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This is quite possibly one of the best sandwiches I have ever put into my mouth. A Ham Reuben Sandwich recipe. Big sandwich with bigger flavors. Everyone has probably had the classic Reuben sandwich, right? Corned beef piled onrye bread, topped with Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and some 1000 Island dressing. Delish.

But may I present you with the idea of a Ham Reuben Sandwich recipe instead? And not just any Reuben sandwich. A Killer Ham Reuben Sandwich.

Killer Ham Reuben Sandwich Recipe with Homemade Russian Horseradish Sauce

Layers of thin deli-sliced black forest ham between two pieces of buttery toasted New York style rye bread. And then..what really makes this sandwich a sammich...our homemade Russian Horseradish Sauce.Get in my tummy! You have to try this sandwich recipe and tell me what you think.

Don't even think about using 1000 Island dressing or another store-bought spread for this Ham Reuben Sandwich recipe.

Trust me on this one, this Russian horseradish sauce is mouth-watering. Addictive. Zippy. Perfect.

Killer Ham Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Russian Horseradish Sauce (1)

Having a snack attack? Check out our Easy BLT Cheese Ball.

Ingredients Needed:

For the Russian Horseradish Saue

  • Duke's mayo
  • Chili sauce- the bottled ketchup type
  • Dill pickles- you can also use dill pickle relish
  • Prepared horseradish
  • Black pepper
  • Onion powder
  • Garlic powder

For the Ham Reuben Sandwiches

  • New York Style rye bread
  • Thinly sliced black forest ham
  • Muenster cheese
  • Sauerkraut
  • Butter

This easy to make sauce is also excellent on cheeseburgers. Great to dip your chips or veggies in. Or, try a crispy onion ring in the Russian Horseradish Sauce. My word. Lights out.

*Note, we used prepared horseradish. The mild, creamy kind in a little jar. See the complete recipe below and adjust to your taste. The heat and strength of horseradish can vary, so start with a little and add more until you are happy with the way it tastes.We used this one, so you know what to look for.Killer Ham Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Russian Horseradish Sauce (2)

So, get to it. Whip your dressing together first and let it blend while you are working on your ham Reuben sandwich recipe.It takes mayo, a little chili sauce, chopped dill pickles, and horseradish. (Scroll to the bottom of this post for the complete recipe.) Horseradish gives the sauce a kick in the pants.

Killer Ham Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Russian Horseradish Sauce (3)

How to Make this Reuben Sandwich:

For the Russian Horseradish Sauce

  1. Combine all ingredients listed for the sauce. (Start with 1 teaspoon of horseradish, and add more to taste.) Let sit.

For the Ham Reuben Sandwiches

  1. In a skillet, melt ½ teaspoon butter over medium heat. Add a sandwich size portion of the ham to the skillet. Move the ham slices around in the pan, turning frequently until warm.
  2. Move the ham to the side of the skillet. Lightly butter one slice of the rye bread. Spread some of the horseradish sauce on the other side. Place the bread buttered side down into the skillet.
  3. Place two slices of cheese on top of the bread. Top with the heated ham, more horseradish sauce and a portion of sauerkraut.
  4. Top with another sauced and buttered piece of rye bread, buttered side UP.
  5. When the bottom of the sandwich is brown and the cheese is slightly melted, carefully flip the sandwich with a spatula. Cook until the other side is browned.
  6. *Repeat this process for more sandwiches.
  7. Transfer to a cutting board or plate, and cut. Serve warm with a dill pickle and chips.
  8. Refrigerate any sauce leftovers.

Not only did we butter the outside of both pieces of New York style rye bread, but we spread a little bit of the amazing sauce on the inside of each slice. (Don't worry...there will be more sauce later.)

Use a good quality bread. I'm a big fan of the rye breads with caraway seeds. Gives the ham Reuben sandwich recipe a little more flavor and texture.

Killer Ham Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Russian Horseradish Sauce (4)

Use good quality, deli-sliced thin black forest ham. A lots of it. The slightly salty ham with the zing of the sauce, tang of the sauerkraut and melty cheese...between two buttery slices of bread. Hard to beat.

I'm about to make a statement that will get me kicked out of Cheese World. I don't like Swiss cheese.Swiss is the traditional cheese found on a classic Reuben sandwich. It is generally bland to me, or slightly bitter.

So we threw this ham Reuben sandwich another curve ball. Muenster cheese. Yes. Muenster is a perfect mild cheese that still has great flavor to balance out the strong flavors of the other ingredients. And it melts well.

Killer Ham Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Russian Horseradish Sauce (5)

In a skillet melt a little butter and heat the ham slices. Don't cook them long. You don't want to dry the out, just get them warm.

Scoot the ham over, then lay one piece of bread buttered side down.

Top with cheese, then layer your ham Reuben sandwich up with as much ham as you'd like. Make yours thin, or make it thick.

Killer Ham Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Russian Horseradish Sauce (6)

Top with more of the Russian horseradish sauce. (I like a lot. I'm a saucy kinda girl. And this isn't your run of the mill blah blah sauce.)

Killer Ham Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Russian Horseradish Sauce (7)

Sprinkle with sauerkraut and top with the other piece of bread.

Once the bottom is brownand the cheese gets a little melty, carefully flip.

More Sandwich Ideas:

Bourbon Bacon Meatball Subs

The Best Chicken Salad. Ever.

Killer Ham Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Russian Horseradish Sauce (8)

Slice. Drool. Get a napkin. Drool. Fix your drink. Drool. Sit down. Drool. Grab your sammich....

Killer Ham Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Russian Horseradish Sauce (9)

Eat!! Savor every single bite of this flavorful sandwich.

Killer Ham Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Russian Horseradish Sauce (10)

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📖 Recipe

Ham Reuben Sandwich with Russian Horseradish Sauce

A savory twist on a classic Reuben, made with ham and a killer homemade horseradish sauce.

3.88 from 32 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Sandwich

Cuisine American

Servings 12 Half Sandwiches

Calories 476 kcal

Ingredients

For the Russian Horseradish Saue

For the Ham Reuben Sandwiches

  • 12 thick slices New York Style rye bread
  • 2 lbs thinly sliced black forest ham
  • 12 slices Muenster cheese
  • 1 14 oz can sauerkraut drained
  • cup butter softened

Instructions

For the Russian Horseradish Sauce

  • Combine all ingredients listed for the sauce. (Start with 1 teaspoon of horseradish, and add more to taste.) Let sit.

For the Ham Reuben Sandwiches

  • In a skillet, melt ½ teaspoon butter over medium heat. Add a sandwich size portion of the ham to the skillet. Move the ham slices around in the pan, turning frequently until warm.

  • Move the ham to the side of the skillet. Lightly butter one slice of the rye bread. Spread some of the horseradish sauce on the other side. Place the bread buttered side down into the skillet.

  • Place two slices of cheese on top of the bread. Top with the heated ham, more horseradish sauce and a portion of sauerkraut.

  • Top with another sauced and buttered piece of rye bread, buttered side UP.

  • When the bottom of the sandwich is brown and the cheese is slightly melted, carefully flip the sandwich with a spatula. Cook until the other side is browned.

  • *Repeat this process for more sandwiches.

  • Transfer to a cutting board or plate, and cut. Serve warm with a dill pickle and chips.

  • Refrigerate any sauce leftovers.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Half SandwichCalories: 476kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 23gFat: 40gSaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 1603mgPotassium: 347mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 505IUVitamin C: 6.5mgCalcium: 224mgIron: 1.4mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Killer Ham Reuben Sandwich Recipe + Russian Horseradish Sauce (2024)

FAQs

Is a Reuben made of Russian dressing? ›

Sauce - A traditional Reuben sandwich uses creamy Russian dressing for the sauce, but Thousand Island dressing is another popular option that tastes really similar, albeit slightly sweeter with a bit less kick than Russian dressing.

What is a redneck Reuben sandwich? ›

The Redneck Reuben Sandwich is the best BBQ sandwich on the planet! Pork, cheese, collard greens and Texas toast, what more could you need ...

Is a Reuben Thousand Island or Russian? ›

To make Reuben sandwiches, along with quality rye bread you'll need either Russian Dressing or Thousand Island Dressing. As mentioned above, both are commonly used and it just comes down to personal preference whether you prefer spicy or sweet. You'll also need sliced corned beef, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese.

How do you make a Reuben sandwich not soggy? ›

Reubens traditionally rely on rye bread, which is dense and can soak up any extra juices — so don't swap it for another variety if you can manage. To further fight sogginess, toast the rye bread so that it holds up to the sauerkraut's texture along with ingredients like the sauce and melted cheese.

What is Russian dressing now called? ›

In the United States, Russian dressing has largely been supplanted by Thousand Island dressing, which is sweeter and less spicy than Russian. Other combinations of mayonnaise and ketchup, but without the spicy ingredients, are known as fry sauce or other names, and typically served with French fries or tostones.

Is Kraft making Russian dressing? ›

Product Information

Incredibly versatile, you can use Kraft Russian Dressing to top your favourite salads, as a marinade for chicken, or as a dip for vegetables such as carrots or broccoli – the possibilities are endless!

What is a Texas Reuben? ›

“a deli classic reinvented for. south Texas tastes…”

This Texas Reuben features our own lean smoked brisket thrown over some buttered and griddled rye bread. Our sauerkraut is cooked in-house and not like what you usually imagine when it comes to this German staple.

What is a cape cod Reuben? ›

Fried Haddock filet, Swiss cheese, homemade coleslaw & Russian dressing served on marble rye.

What is a Katz Reuben? ›

Your choice of pastrami, corned beef or turkey breast with melted Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and homemade Russian dressing, all on grilled rye bread... Order Online.

Is Russian sauce the same as Thousand Island? ›

The ingredient that differentiates Russian dressing from Thousand Island is—drumroll, please—horseradish. When you have Russian dressing accenting a hearty sandwich like a Reuben, the horseradish can be hard to detect, especially when you've got the sharp, funky flavors of sauerkraut to contend with.

What is a New England Reuben? ›

Corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, rye bread, Thousand Island dressing or Russian dressing.

What country invented the Reuben sandwich? ›

New York Origins

The prototype for the Reuben sandwich goes back to the early 20th century in a New York Jewish deli called Reuben's Restaurant and Deli. They often hosted celebrities after a night out at the theater and in 1914, actress Annette Seelos came into the deli.

What is a Reuben without sauerkraut called? ›

The Rachel sandwich is one of several variations on the famous sandwich. Instead of the classic corned beef and sauerkraut, the Rachel is usually made with turkey or pastrami and coleslaw. Both sandwiches are made with Swiss cheese and rye bread.

Should a Reuben be pressed or toasted? ›

In some cases, this rule works for melts, which is what a Reuben technically is. But with the Reuben, I prefer to revert to single-side toasting, because I like the inner surfaces of the bread in a Reuben to be slightly steamed and tender, the whole thing partially fusing together.

What is Reuben sauce made of? ›

directions. In a bowl combine the mayonnaise, catsup, relishes, onion, garlic, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, and black pepper to taste. Mix well!

What is a traditional Reuben made of? ›

A traditional reuben sandwich consists of thinly sliced corned beef, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut on rye bread slathered with Russian or Thousand Island dressing.

What is reuben sauce made of? ›

directions. In a bowl combine the mayonnaise, catsup, relishes, onion, garlic, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, and black pepper to taste. Mix well!

What is the difference between a reuben and a corned beef sandwich? ›

Both feature corned beef and sauerkraut on rye bread, but where a corned beef sandwich keeps it simple with mustard and relish, the reuben takes things an extra step further by adding Russian dressing and melty cheese.

References

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