Patrick Oconnell
The Reuben sandwich is a North American staple, featuring corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian or Thousand Island dressing, grilled between slices of rye bread. The sandwich is associated with kosher-style Jewish delicatessens but is not technically kosher because it combines meat and cheese. The classic sandwich is quick and easy to make, and there are many variations, including vegetarian and vegan options.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Swiss Cheese |
| Type of Meat | Corned Beef |
| Type of Bread | Rye Bread |
| Other Ingredients | Sauerkraut, Russian or Thousand Island Dressing |
| Variations | In some parts of the US, the Rachel sandwich is a variation that uses pastrami or turkey instead of corned beef and colslaw instead of sauerkraut. |
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What You'll Learn
Swiss cheese is a classic ingredient in a Reuben sandwich
The Reuben sandwich is said to have originated in Omaha, Nebraska, by a Jewish Lithuanian-born grocer named Reuben Kulakofsky. Kulakofsky asked for a sandwich made of corned beef and sauerkraut at his weekly poker game held in the Blackstone Hotel from around 1920 to 1935. The hotel owner's son, who worked in the kitchen, made the first Reuben, adding Swiss cheese and thousand island dressing to the order, and serving it on rye bread.
Swiss cheese adds a mild but noticeable flavor to the sandwich, and when melted, it becomes almost creamy. The tang of Swiss cheese, particularly the Emmental variety, pairs well with the briny flavors of corned beef and sauerkraut. Swiss cheese is also a key ingredient in several variations of the Reuben sandwich, such as the Reuben Wonton Purses, where wonton wrappers are stuffed with corned beef, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese.
While Swiss cheese is a classic ingredient in a Reuben sandwich, some variations omit it. The Dinty Moore sandwich, a Detroit variation, sometimes excludes the Swiss cheese and replaces the traditional rye bread with toasted white or wheat bread. Vegetarian and vegan versions of the Reuben sandwich may also omit the Swiss cheese, substituting it with non-dairy cheese.
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The Reuben is not kosher because it combines meat and cheese
The Reuben sandwich is a North American grilled sandwich that is typically made with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing or Thousand Island dressing, grilled between slices of rye bread. It is often associated with Jewish-style or kosher delicatessens. However, despite its association with kosher delicatessens, the Reuben sandwich is not considered kosher because it combines meat and cheese in the same dish.
In Judaism, there are dietary laws that outline what is considered kosher or permissible to eat. One of these laws is the prohibition of mixing meat and dairy products in the same meal. This law is based on a verse in the Torah that states, "You shall not cook a young goat in its mother's milk" (Exodus 23:19). While there are different interpretations of this verse, many Jewish communities have traditionally followed the rule of keeping meat and dairy separate.
The Reuben sandwich, with its combination of corned beef and Swiss cheese, directly violates this principle of separation between meat and dairy. As a result, it is not considered kosher in traditional Jewish dietary laws. This may come as a surprise to some, given the sandwich's association with Jewish delicatessens and its reported origins with a Jewish grocer in Omaha, Nebraska.
It's important to note that kosher laws can be complex and may vary among different Jewish communities. While the combination of meat and cheese in the Reuben sandwich is the primary reason it is not kosher, there may be other considerations depending on the specific ingredients and preparation methods used. Additionally, there are likely to be variations of the Reuben sandwich that are prepared in accordance with kosher guidelines, ensuring the separation of meat and dairy.
In conclusion, while the Reuben sandwich is a beloved and iconic dish with cultural significance, it is not considered kosher due to its combination of meat and cheese. This highlights the complexity of kosher dietary laws and how they intersect with popular cuisine.
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The sandwich is grilled and served hot
The Reuben sandwich is a grilled North American sandwich that is served hot. It is made by grilling the sandwich until the bread is crispy and the cheese melts. The grilling process involves placing the sandwich on a hot skillet or griddle, butter-side down, and grilling until the bottom slice is golden brown. The sandwich is then flipped and grilled on the other side until both sides are golden brown.
The sandwich is typically made with Swiss cheese, which adds a mild but noticeable flavour. The cheese is melted, adding a creamy element to the sandwich. The Swiss cheese also pairs well with the other ingredients, balancing out the briny flavours of the corned beef and sauerkraut.
When grilling the sandwich, it is important to ensure that the meat is heated through and that the cheese is melted. This can be achieved by grilling the sandwich for approximately 3 to 5 minutes per side, depending on the heat source.
The Reuben sandwich is a popular menu item in Jewish-style delicatessens, but it is important to note that it is not technically kosher due to the combination of meat and cheese. However, it is still a beloved sandwich that combines a variety of flavours and textures, making it a favourite among many.
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The cheese is typically melted
The cheese in a Reuben sandwich is typically Swiss cheese, which adds a mild but noticeable flavour. Swiss cheese is usually melted in a Reuben sandwich, adding an almost creamy element to the sandwich. The tang of Swiss cheese, particularly the Emmental variety, pairs well with the briny flavours of the corned beef and sauerkraut.
When making a Reuben sandwich, the Swiss cheese is usually placed directly on the bread, which is then buttered and grilled until both sides are golden brown. The cheese melts as the sandwich is grilled, creating a creamy texture that complements the other ingredients.
In a classic Reuben sandwich, the Swiss cheese is layered with thinly sliced corned beef, sauerkraut, and Russian or Thousand Island dressing on rye bread. The sandwich is grilled until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted, resulting in a quick and easy meal that can be served hot or cold.
The Reuben sandwich is a North American grilled sandwich that is associated with Jewish-style or kosher delicatessens. However, it is not technically kosher because it combines meat and cheese. The combination of melted Swiss cheese and the other ingredients creates a unique flavour profile that has made the Reuben sandwich a popular dish.
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There are vegetarian and vegan versions of the sandwich
The classic Reuben sandwich is a North American grilled sandwich that combines corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian or Thousand Island dressing, grilled between slices of rye bread. However, there are vegetarian and vegan versions of the sandwich that omit the beef or substitute it with vegetarian ingredients.
Vegetarian Reubens often use ingredients like tempeh, seitan, zucchini, cucumbers, wheat meat, and mushrooms to replace the corned beef. The "pickled" red cabbage and mushroom sandwich is a popular vegetarian version of the Reuben. This version uses mushrooms instead of meat and a concoction of mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and dill relish instead of Russian dressing. Another vegetarian version uses oyster mushrooms and dark rye bread.
Vegan versions of the Reuben sandwich typically use wheat meat, seitan, tempeh, or mushrooms, along with non-dairy cheese. One vegan recipe uses thinly sliced tofu, either baked or air-fried, with Russian dressing made from soy sauce, olive oil, steak sauce, mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, thyme, coriander, and black pepper. This sandwich is served on rye bread with sauerkraut.
Whether you're a vegetarian or a vegan, there are options to enjoy a meat-free version of the classic Reuben sandwich. These versions retain the essence of the sandwich while substituting the corned beef with creative and delicious alternatives.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, a classic Reuben sandwich has Swiss cheese.
A classic Reuben sandwich consists of corned beef, sauerkraut, Russian or Thousand Island dressing, and Swiss cheese grilled between slices of rye bread.
The most popular Swiss cheese is "Emmental" cheese, which has the characteristic holes and is pretty firm, so it melts well.
Yes, you can use non-dairy cheese for a vegan version of the sandwich.
Yes, but it won't taste like a traditional Reuben sandwich. The Dinty Moore sandwich, a variation of the Reuben, sometimes omits the Swiss cheese.
