The Cheesiest Question: What Makes A Ruben So Good?

A Reuben sandwich is a Jewish-style deli classic. It is made with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian or Thousand Island dressing on rye bread. The sandwich is grilled and served hot, with the cheese melted and the bread toasted.

Swiss cheese is the most popular choice

Swiss Cheese: The Most Popular Choice for a Reuben

The Reuben sandwich is a classic American staple, featuring corned beef, a tangy dressing, and of course, cheese. While different variations exist, Swiss cheese is the most popular choice for this iconic sandwich. Here's why Swiss cheese is the perfect match for a Reuben.

The Classic Combination

A traditional Reuben sandwich consists of corned beef, sauerkraut, Russian or Thousand Island dressing, and Swiss cheese, all stacked between slices of rye bread. The Swiss cheese in a Reuben is a long-standing tradition, dating back to the sandwich's origins in the 1920s. Swiss cheese has a mild and slightly nutty flavour that pairs perfectly with the other bold ingredients in the sandwich. Its creamy texture melts beautifully, creating a gooey and indulgent bite.

A Balanced Flavour Profile

Swiss cheese is known for its subtle flavour, which strikes the perfect balance with the other strong components of a Reuben. Corned beef has a robust flavour, and when paired with the tangy, vinegary sauerkraut and zesty dressing, the sandwich needs a cheese that won't overwhelm these tastes. Swiss cheese's mildness ensures that it enhances the sandwich without stealing the spotlight. It adds a creamy texture and a savoury note that ties all the flavours together.

Melting Moments

One of the key characteristics of Swiss cheese is its melting capability. When heated, Swiss cheese transforms into a gooey, decadent delight. This quality is essential for the Reuben, as the ideal sandwich has melted cheese blending with the other ingredients. The melting Swiss cheese creates a cohesive and indulgent eating experience, making the sandwich greater than the sum of its parts.

Versatile and Adaptable

While Swiss cheese is the classic choice, the Reuben sandwich also lends itself to variations. For those who want to experiment, mozzarella or provolone cheese are mild alternatives that can be used in place of Swiss cheese. These cheeses have similar melting properties and mild flavours, allowing them to complement the other ingredients without overpowering them.

In conclusion, Swiss cheese is the most popular choice for a Reuben sandwich, and for good reason. Its mild flavour, creamy texture, and melting capabilities make it the ideal partner for the robust corned beef and tangy sauerkraut. Whether you stick with tradition or explore variations, Swiss cheese is the perfect ingredient to elevate your Reuben sandwich.

Mozzarella or provolone are mild-tasting alternatives

The Reuben is an American classic, and while the traditional recipe calls for Swiss cheese, some people may prefer a milder-tasting cheese like mozzarella or provolone. These cheeses can be good alternatives for those who find Swiss cheese too strong or sharp. They have a more subtle flavour that won't overpower the other ingredients in the sandwich.

Mozzarella is a soft, stretchy cheese that is known for its mild, creamy taste. It melts easily and can add a stringy, chewy texture to the sandwich. Provolone, on the other hand, has a slightly firmer texture and a mild, buttery flavour. It also melts well and can give the sandwich a slightly different, but still delicious, flavour.

Using mozzarella or provolone in a Reuben sandwich is a matter of personal preference. Some people may prefer the traditional Swiss cheese, while others may enjoy the milder taste of these alternative cheeses. Both options can be easily found in most grocery stores, making them convenient substitutes.

Whether you choose Swiss, mozzarella, or provolone, the key to a great Reuben sandwich is to use good-quality ingredients and to grill it just right, so the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted to perfection.

Russian dressing is the traditional condiment

Russian dressing is the perfect pairing for the corned beef, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut in a Reuben sandwich. The creamy, tangy dressing brings all the ingredients together, and its sharpness and spice add depth of flavour to the sandwich. The dressing is spread on the rye bread, which is then piled high with corned beef, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese. The sandwich is then grilled to perfection, with the Russian dressing ensuring the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted.

Russian dressing is an essential component of a Reuben sandwich, adding a unique flavour and texture that sets it apart from other sandwiches. It is the traditional choice for this classic sandwich, and its distinct taste complements the other ingredients perfectly. While Thousand Island dressing is a common substitute, Russian dressing is the key to an authentic Reuben sandwich.

Making your own Russian dressing is a simple process, and allows you to adjust the ingredients to your taste. However, it is also readily available in stores, and either option is a delicious choice for a Reuben sandwich.

Thousand Island is a sweeter alternative to Russian dressing

A Reuben sandwich is a grilled sandwich featuring corned beef, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut on rye bread. The sandwich is served with a spread of Russian dressing or Thousand Island dressing. While both dressings are similar, they have distinct differences.

Russian dressing is characterised by its tangy, spicy flavour, which comes from ingredients like horseradish, chilli sauce, and chilli peppers. On the other hand, Thousand Island dressing is sweeter and milder, with a tangy aftertaste. It achieves this flavour profile through the addition of sweet pickle relish and sugar. Thousand Island dressing also often contains hard-boiled eggs, which Russian dressing lacks.

Russian dressing was likely created in the early 1900s and included caviar, ground-up poached coral, and lobster shells. Thousand Island dressing was created around the same time in the Thousand Islands region between upstate New York and southern Ontario, Canada.

Both dressings are commonly used on sandwiches and salads, with Russian dressing being a staple on the Reuben sandwich. Thousand Island is more widely used and can be found on burgers and as a dip.

It's not a Reuben without sauerkraut

A Reuben sandwich is a classic American sandwich that typically features corned beef, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut on rye bread. While the specific ingredients may vary, sauerkraut is considered an essential component of a traditional Reuben sandwich. Here are some reasons why sauerkraut is an indispensable part of this iconic dish:

Historical Significance:

The Reuben sandwich has its roots in the Jewish delicatessen tradition, with stories tracing its origin to either Nebraska or New York in the 1920s. Given this cultural context, sauerkraut, a fermented cabbage dish, is a natural fit. It brings a tangy, crunchy, and sour element to the sandwich, complementing the other ingredients.

Flavor and Texture:

Sauerkraut offers a unique flavor profile that elevates the overall taste of the Reuben sandwich. Its sourness and tanginess balance the richness of the corned beef and the mildness of the Swiss cheese. The crunch of sauerkraut also adds a pleasing textural contrast to the softness of the bread and meat.

Health Benefits:

Sauerkraut is not just a tasty addition but also provides health benefits. It is a good source of fiber, and the fermentation process produces probiotics that support digestive health. This makes the inclusion of sauerkraut in a Reuben sandwich not only delicious but also potentially nutritious.

Authenticity:

When you take a bite of a Reuben sandwich, the combination of flavors and textures should transport you to the delicatessens of old. Omitting sauerkraut would be like removing a crucial piece of the puzzle. It's the sauerkraut that gives the Reuben its signature bite and sets it apart from other sandwiches.

Tradition and Innovation:

While the classic Reuben calls for sauerkraut, it doesn't mean you can't experiment with other ingredients. Some variations include substituting pastrami for corned beef, known as a "Rachel" sandwich, or trying different types of bread like sourdough or pumpernickel. However, the traditional Reuben, with its time-honored ingredients, remains the gold standard.

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