Experience a delightful twist on a classic sandwich with this grilled turkey Reuben. Combining the savory flavors of sliced turkey, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut, this sandwich is elevated with the tangy richness of thousand island dressing. Perfect for a quick lunch or a satisfying dinner, this recipe brings comfort food to a whole new level.
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 unique tangy flavor and can usually be found in the refrigerated section or canned goods aisle. Thousand island dressing is a creamy, tangy dressing that can be found in the salad dressing section of your supermarket.

Ingredients For Grilled Turkey Reuben Sandwich
Rye bread: A type of bread made with rye flour, known for its slightly sour taste and dense texture.
Sliced turkey: Lean, cooked turkey breast, thinly sliced for easy layering in the sandwich.
Swiss cheese: A mild, nutty cheese that melts beautifully, adding a creamy texture to the sandwich.
Sauerkraut: Fermented cabbage that provides a tangy, slightly sour flavor, balancing the richness of the other ingredients.
Thousand island dressing: A creamy, tangy dressing made from mayonnaise, ketchup, and other seasonings, adding a burst of flavor.
Butter: Softened butter used to grill the sandwich to a golden brown, adding a rich, crispy exterior.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To achieve the perfect grilled sandwich, make sure to use softened butter on the rye bread to ensure even browning and a crispy texture. When layering the turkey, swiss cheese, and sauerkraut, distribute them evenly to avoid any soggy spots. Use a skillet over medium heat to control the cooking process, allowing the cheese to melt thoroughly without burning the bread.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
rye bread - Substitute with pumpernickel bread: Pumpernickel has a similar dense texture and rich flavor that complements the sandwich well.
rye bread - Substitute with whole wheat bread: Whole wheat bread offers a healthier alternative with a nutty flavor that pairs nicely with the other ingredients.
sliced turkey - Substitute with sliced chicken: Sliced chicken has a similar texture and mild flavor that works well in the sandwich.
sliced turkey - Substitute with roast beef: Roast beef provides a different but equally delicious flavor profile, adding a bit more richness to the sandwich.
swiss cheese - Substitute with provolone cheese: Provolone has a mild, slightly tangy flavor that melts well and complements the other ingredients.
swiss cheese - Substitute with mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella is a mild, creamy cheese that melts beautifully and pairs well with the sandwich components.
sauerkraut - Substitute with coleslaw: Coleslaw adds a crunchy texture and a tangy flavor that works as a fresh alternative to sauerkraut.
sauerkraut - Substitute with pickled red cabbage: Pickled red cabbage provides a similar tangy flavor with a bit more crunch and a vibrant color.
thousand island dressing - Substitute with Russian dressing: Russian dressing has a similar creamy and tangy profile, making it a great alternative.
thousand island dressing - Substitute with honey mustard: Honey mustard offers a sweet and tangy flavor that complements the sandwich ingredients well.
softened butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil provides 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, offering a similar texture and flavor for grilling.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This
How to Store or Freeze Your Sandwich
Allow the grilled turkey reuben sandwiches to cool completely at room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the bread soggy.
Wrap each sandwich individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This ensures that they are well-sealed and protected from air exposure, which can cause them to dry out.
Place the wrapped sandwiches in an airtight container or a zip-top freezer bag. If using a freezer bag, try to remove as much air as possible before sealing to prevent freezer burn.
Label the container or bag with the date so you can keep track of how long the sandwiches have been stored. Grilled turkey reuben sandwiches can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
When ready to enjoy, if refrigerated, you can reheat the sandwiches in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through and the cheese is melted, about 3-4 minutes per side. If frozen, thaw the sandwiches in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
For a crispier texture, consider reheating the sandwiches in a toaster oven or oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and the bread is crispy.
Avoid microwaving the sandwiches as this can make the bread rubbery and the sauerkraut soggy.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Skillet: A flat-bottomed pan used for grilling the sandwiches to achieve a golden brown crust and melted cheese.
Spatula: A tool for flipping the sandwiches to ensure even grilling on both sides.
Butter knife: Used to spread softened butter on the bread slices.
Cutting board: A surface for assembling the sandwiches and spreading the dressing.
Knife: For slicing the turkey if it's not pre-sliced.
Measuring cup: To measure out the sauerkraut and thousand island dressing accurately.
Plate: For placing the prepared sandwiches before grilling and for serving once they are done.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Pre-slice ingredients: Have your rye bread, turkey, swiss cheese, and sauerkraut pre-sliced and ready to go.
Use pre-made dressing: Opt for store-bought thousand island dressing to save time.
Preheat the skillet: Start heating your skillet while assembling the sandwiches to cut down on cooking time.
Assemble in advance: Prepare the sandwiches ahead of time and store them in the fridge until you're ready to grill.
Use a panini press: If you have a panini press, use it to grill both sides simultaneously, reducing cooking time.

Grilled Turkey Reuben Sandwich Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 slices Rye bread
- 6 oz Sliced turkey
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
- ½ cup Sauerkraut drained
- ¼ cup Thousand Island dressing
- 2 tablespoon Butter softened
Instructions
- 1. Butter one side of each slice of rye bread.
- 2. On the unbuttered side, spread Thousand Island dressing.
- 3. Layer turkey, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut on two slices of bread. Top with the remaining bread, buttered side out.
- 4. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Grill sandwiches until golden brown and cheese is melted, about 3-4 minutes per side.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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