I'm not sure why Reuben's are seen as a St. Patrick's day thing since I don't think it has much to do with Ireland. It's a sandwich invented in Nebraska, that uses German sauerkraut, Russian dressing, and Swiss cheese, but it does have corned beef, so at least there's something Irish going for it. The corned beef is my mom's recipe (sort of) and she usually makes the traditional corned beef and cabbage, which apparently also isn't the way they celebrate in Ireland. Corned beef and cabbage is fine, but I think a Reuben hits better in the middle of a pub crawl. Even if this isn't the way they celebrate in Ireland I'm all for it. I'll eat a Reuben any day of the year, and even better if it's for a festive reason. Sláinte!
You can make a Reuben with deli corned beef, but slow cooking your own makes this sandwich so much better. Same goes for the dressing, homemade is always better and this one really doesn't take too much effort. I include the measurements in the recipe, but I think dressings should usually just be eyeballed and adjusted to taste. Start your slow cooker in the morning and time it out so it's ready in time for a dinner break on your St. Paddy's Day Pub Crawl
Ingredients
Corned Beef
1 3 lb corned beef in brine
1 onion
3-4 cloves garlic whole
1 Tbsp black peppercorns
2 bay leaves
5 allspice berries
2 tsp mustard seeds
1 12 oz Guinness
3 c. water (enough to cover brisket)
Russian Dressing
3/4 c. mayo
1/4 c. sour cream
3 tbsp. ketchup
1 tbsp. horseradish
1 tsp. Worcestershire
1 tsp. hot sauce (Franks or Tabasco)
2 tbsp. pickle relish
1/4 tsp. paprika
For the Reuben
8 slices rye bread
8 slices swiss cheese
1 c. sauerkraut
3 tbsp butter
Directions
Corned Beef
Rinse corned beef well under cold water and pat dry.
Cut onions into slices and lay in the bottom of a 5 quart or larger crock pot. Place corned beef on top of the onions then add garlic cloves and spices. Top with Guinness and enough water to cover the meet. cook on low for 5-6 hours until tender.
Once cooked remove from crock pot, let rest 10 minutes and thinly slice
Russian Dressing
Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix until combined. Adjust seasoning to taste
Reuben
Pre heat a large skillet on a grill
Lightly butter one side of your bread and toast on your heated skillet. Once toasted stack your corned beef on the skillet and top with swiss cheese. Also on the skillet heat 1/4 c. sauerkraut. Cover with a lid and cook until cheese is melted.
On the toasted bread spread about a table spoon of the dressing on one side of the bread. Once the cheese is melted stack corned beef and cheese on the side of bread without dressing, top with sauerkraut and dressed piece of bread. Slice and enjoy!
Recipe Video
Recipe Note
Corned beef can also be made in and oven. Bring beef to a boil, cover, and then transfer to a 300 degree oven. Cook until tender about 3-4 hours.
THANKS FOR POINTING THAT OUT JOHN. IT IS MUCH APPRECIATED. I JUST CHANGED THE COOK TIME TO 5-6 HOURS.
John Curless
Hey Sarah. I love this recipe! Thank you. I need to point out a typo tho. Please check your cook time. Is it really 5-6 minutes or hours? Asking for an idiot friend (I’m the typo police really) 😂😂😂❤️❤️❤️
SARAH LENT
THANKS FOR POINTING THAT OUT JOHN. IT IS MUCH APPRECIATED. I JUST CHANGED THE COOK TIME TO 5-6 HOURS.
John Curless
Hey Sarah. I love this recipe! Thank you. I need to point out a typo tho. Please check your cook time. Is it really 5-6 minutes or hours? Asking for an idiot friend (I’m the typo police really) 😂😂😂❤️❤️❤️