Indulge in a delightful twist on a classic sandwich with this grilled turkey reuben. Perfect for a quick lunch or a satisfying dinner, this sandwich combines the savory flavors of turkey, swiss cheese, and sauerkraut with the creamy tang of thousand island dressing. Grilled to perfection on rye bread, it's a meal that promises to please.
While most of the ingredients for this recipe are common, you might need to pay special attention to sauerkraut and thousand island dressing. Sauerkraut is a fermented cabbage that adds a tangy flavor and can usually be found in the refrigerated section or canned goods aisle. Thousand island dressing is a creamy dressing with a slight sweetness and tang, typically located near the salad dressings.

Ingredients For Grilled Turkey Reuben Sandwich
Rye bread: A type of bread made with rye flour, known for its distinct flavor and dense texture.
Turkey: Sliced deli turkey, providing a lean and savory protein for the sandwich.
Swiss cheese: A mild, nutty cheese that melts beautifully, adding a creamy texture.
Sauerkraut: Fermented cabbage that adds a tangy and slightly sour flavor.
Thousand island dressing: A creamy dressing with a sweet and tangy flavor, often made with mayonnaise, ketchup, and relish.
Butter: Softened butter used to grill the sandwich to a golden brown.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To ensure your grilled turkey reuben sandwich achieves the perfect balance of flavors and textures, make sure to thoroughly drain the sauerkraut before adding it to the sandwich. Excess moisture can make the bread soggy and prevent it from achieving that ideal golden brown crispiness. Additionally, when layering the ingredients, place the swiss cheese directly on the bread slices; this helps it melt more evenly and acts as a barrier to keep the thousand island dressing and sauerkraut from soaking into the bread.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
rye bread - Substitute with pumpernickel bread: Pumpernickel has a similar dense texture and robust flavor that complements the sandwich well.
rye bread - Substitute with whole wheat bread: Whole wheat bread offers a healthier option with a nutty flavor that pairs nicely with the other ingredients.
sliced turkey - Substitute with sliced chicken: Sliced chicken provides a similar lean protein option with a mild flavor that works well in the sandwich.
sliced turkey - Substitute with roast beef: Roast beef adds a richer, more robust flavor for a different take on the classic Reuben.
swiss cheese - Substitute with provolone cheese: Provolone has a similar melting quality and mild flavor that complements the sandwich.
swiss cheese - Substitute with mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella offers a creamy texture and mild taste that works well in the sandwich.
sauerkraut - Substitute with coleslaw: Coleslaw provides a crunchy texture and tangy flavor that can replace the sauerkraut.
sauerkraut - Substitute with kimchi: Kimchi offers a spicier, more complex flavor profile for a unique twist on the sandwich.
thousand island dressing - Substitute with Russian dressing: Russian dressing has a similar creamy and tangy profile that works well in the sandwich.
thousand island dressing - Substitute with honey mustard: Honey mustard provides a sweet and tangy flavor that complements the other ingredients.
softened butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil offers a healthier fat option and helps achieve a crispy texture when grilling the sandwich.
softened butter - Substitute with margarine: Margarine can be used as a direct substitute for butter, providing a similar texture and flavor.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Sandwich
How To Store / Freeze This Sandwich
- Allow the grilled turkey reuben sandwiches to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the bread soggy.
- Wrap each sandwich individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This helps maintain freshness and prevents the sandwiches from sticking together.
- Place the wrapped sandwiches in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. This adds an extra layer of protection against freezer burn and keeps the sandwiches tasting fresh.
- Label the container or bag with the date. This ensures you know how long the sandwiches have been stored.
- Store the sandwiches in the refrigerator if you plan to eat them within 2-3 days. For longer storage, place them in the freezer where they can be kept for up to 1 month.
- When ready to enjoy, thaw frozen sandwiches in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain the texture and flavor.
- Reheat the sandwiches in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is melted. Alternatively, you can use a grill pan or skillet over medium heat, flipping occasionally until warmed.
- For a crispier texture, consider reheating the sandwiches in a toaster oven or under the broiler for a few minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
How To Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap the sandwich in aluminum foil to keep it from drying out. Place it on a baking sheet and heat for about 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is crispy.
Stovetop Method: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Place the sandwich in the skillet and cover with a lid to trap the heat. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, pressing down gently with a spatula to ensure even heating and a crispy exterior.
Microwave Method: While not ideal for maintaining the crispiness of the bread, this method is quick. Place the sandwich on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking to ensure the cheese is melted and the turkey is heated through.
Toaster Oven Method: Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the sandwich on the rack or a baking sheet. Heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted to your liking.
Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the sandwich in the basket and heat for about 5-7 minutes. This method will give you a wonderfully crispy bread while ensuring the cheese is perfectly melted.
Best Tools for Making This Sandwich
Grill pan: A flat pan with ridges used to grill the sandwich, giving it those classic grill marks and a crispy texture.
Spatula: A flat tool used to flip the sandwiches to ensure even grilling on both sides.
Butter knife: Used to spread the softened butter evenly on each slice of rye bread.
Cutting board: A surface to assemble and prepare the sandwiches before grilling.
Measuring cups: Used to measure out the sauerkraut and thousand island dressing accurately.
Tongs: Handy for handling the hot sandwiches without squishing them.
Plate: For serving the hot, grilled sandwiches once they are ready.
How to Save Time on Making This Sandwich
Preassemble ingredients: Measure and prepare all ingredients like sliced turkey, swiss cheese, and sauerkraut in advance.
Use pre-sliced bread: Opt for pre-sliced rye bread to save cutting time.
Preheat the grill pan: Ensure the grill pan is preheated to the right temperature before starting.
Butter in bulk: Soften and spread butter on all bread slices at once.
Layer efficiently: Arrange cheese, turkey, and sauerkraut in an assembly line for quick layering.
Use a lid: Cover the sandwiches with a lid while grilling to melt the cheese faster.

Grilled Turkey Reuben Sandwich
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 slices Rye Bread
- 4 slices Turkey sliced
- 4 slices Swiss Cheese
- ½ cup Sauerkraut drained
- ¼ cup Thousand Island Dressing
- 2 tablespoon Butter softened
Instructions
- 1. Preheat grill pan over medium heat.
- 2. Butter one side of each slice of rye bread.
- 3. Place two slices of bread, buttered side down, on the grill pan.
- 4. Layer each slice with Swiss cheese, turkey, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing.
- 5. Top with remaining bread slices, buttered side up.
- 6. Grill sandwiches until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- 7. Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for This Recipe
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