Turkey Reuben Sandwich

By
MacKenzie Smith
MacKenzie Smith
Recipe developer, food stylist, author, and teacher with a passion for sandwiches. She's behind the popular blog Grilled Cheese Social.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 07/13/21
Turkey reuben sandwich recipe

The Spruce / Cara Cormack

Prep: 12 mins
Cook: 7 mins
Total: 19 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 sandwich
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
1347 Calories
119g Fat
36g Carbs
34g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 1347
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 119g 153%
Saturated Fat 29g 144%
Cholesterol 318mg 106%
Sodium 2385mg 104%
Total Carbohydrate 36g 13%
Dietary Fiber 4g 16%
Total Sugars 11g
Protein 34g
Vitamin C 20mg 101%
Calcium 601mg 46%
Iron 4mg 20%
Potassium 419mg 9%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Although Reuben sandwiches aren't typically made with turkey, this healthy updated version is totally delicious. And once you make your own homemade Thousand Island dressing, you'll never buy a bottled version ever again. And a word to the wise, you don't have to be exact with that recipe—if you just eye it, it'll probably be even better! 

Ingredients

For the Thousand Island Dressing:

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise

  • 1/2 tablespoon curry ketchup

  • 1 egg, chopped

  • 1 tablespoon roasted red pepper, chopped

  • 1/2 teaspoon yellow mustard

  • 1/2 teaspoon sriracha

  • 1/2 tablespoon sweet pickle relish

  • 1/4 tablespoon garlic

  • Salt, to taste

  • Freshly ground pepper, to taste

For the Sandwich:

  • 2 slices marbled rye

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons Thousand Island dressing

  • 2 slices Swiss cheese

  • 1/4 oven- roasted turkey breast, sliced

  • 2 tablespoons purple sauerkraut

  • 2 pats salted butter

Steps to Make It

Make the Dressing

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for turkey reuben dressing
    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  2. In a bowl, combine the mayo, curry ketchup, egg, peppers, mustard, Sriracha, pickle relish, and garlic.

    Add dressing
    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  3. Stir until everything is incorporated, season with salt and pepper to your liking, and set aside.

    Keep stirring
    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

Assemble the Sandwich

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for sandwich
    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  2. Take one slice of marbled rye and smear on some of your homemade Thousand Island dressing.

    Add sauce on bread
    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  3. Add a slice of cheese, the turkey, sauerkraut, and a second slice of cheese.

    Add cheese, turkey, and sauerkraut
    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  4. On the remaining slice of marbled rye, give it a hearty smear of the Thousand Island.

    Add Thousand Island dressing
    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  5. Close the sandwich. Butter both sides with the butter and set aside.

    Add butter
    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  6. Put the sandwich on a medium-sized skillet and turn the heat to medium.

    Put sandwich in skillet
    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  7. Let the sandwich cook for a few minutes on each side until the cheese starts to melt and the bread begins to crisp up.

    Let sandwich cook
    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  8. Once both sides are evenly browned, take it off the skillet and set aside for a minute so the cheese doesn't ooze out when you slice it.

    Brown sandwich
    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  9. Slice the sandwich in half.

    Slice sandwich in half
    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  10. Serve hot with an extra side of Thousand Island dressing.

    Serve hot
    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

Tip

  • You will end up with more Thousand Island dressing than you need for this recipe. Keep it in an airtight container for up to 4 or 5 days or until it starts to ferment.