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 ...

What is the name of the Russian sandwich? ›

The Reuben sandwich is a North American grilled sandwich composed of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing or Thousand Island dressing, grilled between slices of rye bread.

What is Reuben sauce made of? ›

ingredients
  • 1 cup mayonnaise (Best Foods or Hellmann's or Vegenaise)
  • 34 cup catsup (or more, to taste) or 3/4 cup ketchup (or more, to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon dill relish.
  • 1 teaspoon sweet pickle relish.
  • 1 teaspoon dried onion flakes, to taste.
  • 14 teaspoon granulated garlic or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder.

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.

What is the difference between Thousand Island and Russian dressing for Reuben? ›

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 Texas Reuben? ›

A staple in delicatessens throughout the country, a typical Reuben includes pastrami and vinegar-y sauerkraut on some rye bread. We knew that we could do better, and decided to experiment one weekend with our menu. This Texas Reuben features our own lean smoked brisket thrown over some buttered and griddled rye bread.

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.

What is a Manhattan Reuben sandwich? ›

A traditional Reuben sandwich starts with two slices of rye bread. The key ingredient – thick slices of corned beef – are then topped with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Russian or Thousand Island dressing. The result is an irresistible mix of meaty, salty and tangy flavors with a creamy texture.

What is the most popular condiment in Russia? ›

Originally a French sauce made of egg yolk, mustard and oil with a little salt and pepper, mayonnaise gained popularity in Russia in the 1990s and is now one of the most popular sauces on the Russian dinner table.

What condiments are in Russia? ›

Black peppercorn, mustard, dill, juniper, broths and sauces all serve to augment the foods which comprise local cuisine. Russian fare is enjoyed the world over, for while most dishes are prepared with basic and minimal ingredients, the palette of tastes is surprisingly diverse.

What is a Hemingway sandwich? ›

For attempt number one, I hoped to recreate as accurately as possible the sandwich as Hemingway might have eaten it. My prep was straightforward, and fittingly rustic: sliced raw white onion laid across creamy peanut butter between thick slices of a crusty white bread.

Is Thousand Island dressing the same as Russian dressing? ›

While there are a lot of overlapping ingredients, there are also some key differences between these two iconic slathers. To start, both are mostly made from a mix of mayonnaise and ketchup, but generally, Russian dressing is a little spicy while Thousand Island tends to be on the sweeter side.

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.

How unhealthy is a Reuben? ›

About the Reuben

Unfortunately, this traditional sandwich is NOT one that I consider "heart healthy" as it provides approximately 800 calories, 50 grams fat, 20 grams of the artery-clogging saturated fat, 40 grams carbohydrates, 36 grams protein, and a whopping 3200 mg.

Is Thousand Island dressing like Russian dressing? ›

While there are a lot of overlapping ingredients, there are also some key differences between these two iconic slathers. To start, both are mostly made from a mix of mayonnaise and ketchup, but generally, Russian dressing is a little spicy while Thousand Island tends to be on the sweeter side.

Is Russian and French dressing the same? ›

A. A French dressing is rooted in oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, ketchup, minced shallot or garlic, sugar, and paprika. On the other hand, the Russian dressing mainly comprises mayonnaise, ketchup, hot sauce, minced onion, pickle horseradish, and paprika.

What was on the original Reuben sandwich? ›

He decided to try something new for his friends and put together the first reuben sandwich using swiss cheese, corned beef, sauerkraut, and his special deli sauce on rye. It was such a big hit with his poker group, he decided to include it on the menu of a nearby hotel and it grew in popularity ever since.

What is the best store bought dressing for a Reuben sandwich? ›

Swiss Cheese – A staple in reuben sandwiches, shredded or sliced. Thousand Island Dressing – You can make my homemade version or use a store bought version. Sauerkraut – I found mine at my local grocery store. If you have a problem finding the sauerkraut, you can use coleslaw!

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