A grilled turkey reuben sandwich is a delightful twist on the classic reuben, combining the savory flavors of turkey breast, swiss cheese, and sauerkraut with the tangy richness of thousand island dressing. This sandwich is perfect for a quick lunch or a satisfying dinner, offering a delicious blend of textures and tastes.
If you don't typically keep rye bread or sauerkraut at home, you might need to pick these up at the supermarket. Rye bread has a distinct flavor that pairs perfectly with the other ingredients, while sauerkraut adds a tangy crunch that elevates the sandwich. Make sure to also grab some thousand island dressing if you don't have it on hand.
Ingredients For Grilled Turkey Reuben Sandwich Recipe
Rye bread: A type of bread made with rye flour, known for its slightly sour taste and dense texture.
Turkey breast: Sliced deli turkey, providing a lean and flavorful 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 crunchy element to the sandwich.
Thousand island dressing: A creamy, tangy dressing made with mayonnaise, ketchup, and relish, adding a burst of flavor.
Butter: Used to grill the bread to a golden brown and add richness.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To achieve a perfectly golden and crispy crust on your rye bread, ensure the butter is evenly spread across the entire surface. This will help the bread toast uniformly. Additionally, drain the sauerkraut well before adding it to the sandwich to prevent it from making the bread soggy.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
rye bread - Substitute with pumpernickel bread: Pumpernickel has a similar dense texture and robust flavor, making it a good alternative to rye bread.
rye bread - Substitute with whole wheat bread: Whole wheat bread offers a different but still hearty flavor and texture, providing a healthier option.
turkey breast - Substitute with chicken breast: Chicken breast has a similar texture and mild flavor, making it a suitable replacement for turkey breast.
turkey breast - Substitute with roast beef: Roast beef offers a different flavor profile but still works well in a Reuben-style sandwich.
swiss cheese - Substitute with provolone cheese: Provolone has a mild, slightly tangy flavor that can mimic the taste of Swiss cheese.
swiss cheese - Substitute with mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella melts well and has a mild flavor, making it a good alternative to Swiss cheese.
sauerkraut - Substitute with coleslaw: Coleslaw provides a crunchy texture and tangy flavor, similar to sauerkraut.
sauerkraut - Substitute with pickled cabbage: Pickled cabbage offers a similar tangy and fermented flavor, making it a good substitute for sauerkraut.
thousand island dressing - Substitute with Russian dressing: Russian dressing has a similar creamy and tangy profile, making it a good alternative to Thousand Island dressing.
thousand island dressing - Substitute with honey mustard: Honey mustard provides a sweet and tangy flavor that can complement the other ingredients in the sandwich.
butter - Substitute with margarine: Margarine can be used in place of butter for grilling the sandwich, offering a similar texture and flavor.
butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can be used to grill the sandwich, providing a healthier fat option while still achieving a crispy texture.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Sandwich
How To Store / Freeze This Recipe
- Allow the grilled turkey reuben sandwiches to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation and sogginess.
- Wrap each sandwich tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. This helps maintain freshness and prevents the bread from drying out.
- Place the wrapped sandwiches in an airtight container or a zip-top freezer bag. Label the container with the date to keep track of storage time.
- 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 last up to 1-2 months.
- To reheat refrigerated sandwiches, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Unwrap the sandwiches and place them on a baking sheet. Heat for about 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the sandwich is warmed through.
- For frozen sandwiches, allow them to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Alternatively, you can reheat directly from frozen by extending the oven time to 20-25 minutes.
- For a crispy texture, consider reheating the sandwiches in a panini press or a skillet over medium heat. Cook each side for about 3-4 minutes until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Avoid using a microwave to reheat, as it can make the bread soggy and the turkey rubbery.
How To Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap the grilled turkey reuben sandwich in aluminum foil to retain moisture. Place it on a baking sheet and heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is crispy.
Use a skillet for a quick and crispy reheat. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place the sandwich in the skillet and cover it with a lid. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, pressing down gently with a spatula to ensure even heating and a golden-brown crust.
For a toaster oven, set it to 350°F (175°C). Place the sandwich directly on the rack or on a baking sheet. Heat for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure both sides are evenly toasted and the cheese is gooey.
If you're in a hurry, use the microwave, but be cautious to avoid sogginess. Wrap the sandwich in a paper towel to absorb excess moisture. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through. For a crispier finish, you can then quickly toast it in a skillet or toaster oven.
For an air fryer, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the sandwich in the basket and heat for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through. This method ensures a crispy exterior and a perfectly melted interior.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Skillet: A flat-bottomed pan used for grilling the sandwiches evenly on both sides.
Spatula: A tool for flipping the sandwiches to ensure both sides are grilled to perfection.
Butter knife: Used to spread butter evenly on the slices of rye bread.
Measuring cup: Helps measure the exact amount of sauerkraut and thousand island dressing.
Cutting board: Provides a clean surface to assemble the sandwiches before grilling.
Knife: Useful for slicing the turkey breast if it's not pre-sliced.
Plate: To place the finished sandwiches once they are grilled and ready to serve.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Pre-butter the bread: Butter the rye bread slices in advance and store them in the fridge to save time during assembly.
Pre-slice ingredients: Have the turkey breast and swiss cheese pre-sliced and ready to go.
Use pre-made dressing: Opt for store-bought thousand island dressing to cut down on prep time.
Preheat the skillet: Ensure your skillet is preheated to medium heat before starting to cook the sandwiches.
Assemble in batches: If making multiple sandwiches, assemble them all at once to streamline the process.

Grilled Turkey Reuben Sandwich Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 slices rye bread
- 4 slices turkey breast
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
- 0.5 cup sauerkraut
- 0.25 cup Thousand Island dressing
- 2 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- Butter one side of each slice of rye bread.
- Place two slices of bread, buttered side down, in a skillet over medium heat.
- Layer each slice with turkey, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing.
- Top with remaining bread slices, buttered side up.
- Grill sandwiches until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted, about 3-4 minutes per side.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for This Recipe
More Amazing Recipes to Try 🙂
- Italian Lentil Salad Recipe40 Minutes
- Salami Sandwich Recipe5 Minutes
- Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches Recipe4 Hours 10 Minutes
- Italian Eggplant Tomato Bake Recipe1 Hours
- Italian Rice Salad Recipe35 Minutes
- Coronation Chicken Recipe35 Minutes
- Banana Pancakes Recipe30 Minutes
- Italian Cream Cheese and Ricotta Cheesecake Recipe1 Hours 20 Minutes

Leave a Reply