Yum, Gameday Spicy Reuben Sliders are the best. This popular Jewish deli sandwich is the bomb! And, made with King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Buns (Or Original Sweet Rolls), homemade spicy sauce, piled high with cornbeef, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese. Then topped with garlicky butter then baked to perfection. This is going to be your go-to party dish! My family loved them on Gameday! Although, I do prefer Pastrami and sometimes I will use a little bit of both, because of it’s smoked and a more flavorful profile.
After my son introduced me to the Reuben Sandwich, I can’t help but adore a well-made Reuben sandwich. Furthermore, there’s something about the combination of rye bread, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and dressing, all grilled to perfection in a pan, that creates a harmonious blend of flavors. Moreover, it’s the ideal sandwich or even a delightful addition to a pasta salad.
Classic Reuben
As much as I enjoy a classic grilled Reuben, it’s not always the most practical choice for serving a large crowd or hosting a party… until now, that is! Recently, I was planning to prepare a Ham & Cheese sliders or BBQ Chicken Sliders for Gameday when inspiration struck: Why not shake things up a bit? I can’t help but be thrilled I made that decision because these sliders are sure to become a staple on my party menus from now on!
This recipe captures the fantastic flavors of the Reuben sandwich, stacking them between slider rolls (or dinner rolls) and baking them until they’re heated through and the cheese is wonderfully melted.
What elevates these sliders to another level is the delectably seasoned butter brushed over the tops, transforming them from merely great to absolutely sensational! What’s even better is that while these sliders are simple to prepare, they can be assembled hours ahead of time (even before your guests arrive) and then simply popped into the oven when it’s time to enjoy them.
Reuben Sandwich
The Reuben sandwich, a quintessential North American grilled delicacy, features layers of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and either Russian or Thousand Island dressing, all nestled between slices of rye bread. Although, it’s closely associated with kosher-style delicatessens, it’s not actually kosher due to the combination of meat and cheese.
Are Reubens better with pastrami or corned beef?
Traditionally, a Reuben sandwich is crafted with corned beef, though pastrami can offer an equally delicious twist. However, opting for pastrami would veer from the classic recipe. Ultimately, both meats bring rich flavors to the table, making either choice a winner.
What is Corned Beef?
Corned beef, a staple deli meat derived from brisket, is situated near the lower chest of cattle. This meat is cured, seasoned with an array of spices, and then boiled to achieve a tender texture. Originating from Eastern Europe, corned beef is widely consumed, often paired with cabbage in the traditional Irish preparation or served on rye bread with mustard, forming one of the most beloved Jewish deli sandwiches.
Corned Beef vs. Pastrami: What’s the Difference?
The primary distinction between corned beef and pastrami lies in their preparation and processing methods. Following curing and cutting, corned beef undergoes boiling, whereas pastrami undergoes a smoking and steaming process.
Pastrami, known for its smoky and robust flavor, is brined before being seasoned with a flavorful spice blend, which may include sugar in some variations. On the other hand, corned beef solely undergoes the brining process, resulting in a distinct flavor profile.
A Fun Fact about Pastrami
Derived from the Romanian word ‘pastrama,’ which stems from ‘pastra,’ meaning preservation or conservation, pastrami was initially developed as a means to extend the shelf life of meat in the absence of refrigeration.
Origin
According to one account, the Reuben Sandwich was concocted around the early 20th century at Reuben’s Restaurant and Deli, a famed New York Jewish eatery frequented by celebrities. As per Omaha lore, Reuben Kulakofsky, a local grocer, purportedly conceptualized the sandwich in 1925 at the Blackstone Hotel to satiate a group of late-night poker players. The sandwich gained popularity when the hotel’s former employee won a national sandwich contest with the recipe, leading to its proclamation as Reuben Sandwich Day in Omaha.
Why Isn’t a Reuben Kosher?
Because a Reuben combines both meat and dairy elements in a single dish, it does not comply with kosher dietary laws. However, it’s often served at kosher-style establishments, sometimes featuring non-dairy imitation cheese or vegetarian corned beef as substitutes.
What’s a Good Substitute for Corned Beef?
The Montreal Reuben substitutes Montreal-style smoked meat for corned beef. In Canada, Montreal smoked meat, akin to pastrami, is a kosher-style deli meat made by salting, curing, smoking, and steaming beef brisket.
What’s a Good Substitute for Sauerkraut in a Reuben Sandwich?
For those seeking an alternative to sauerkraut, crisp pickles make an excellent replacement, offering a delightful crunch and complementary flavor profile.
Russian or Thousand Island Dressing?
While a traditional Reuben utilizes creamy Russian dressing, Thousand Island dressing serves as another popular option, providing a slightly sweeter flavor with a milder kick compared to Russian dressing.
Rachel Sandwich:
The Rachel sandwich, a variant of the Reuben, swaps corned beef for pastrami or turkey and sauerkraut for coleslaw. In certain regions like Michigan, the turkey version is known as a “Georgia Reuben” or “California Reuben,” occasionally featuring barbecue sauce or French dressing instead of Russian dressing.
What ingredients you will need:
King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Buns (Or Original Sweet Rolls)
Deli Sliced Cornbeef
Saurkraut
Butter
Garlic (or Garlic Powder)
dijon mustard
Worcestershire Sauce
Everything Bagel Seasoning
Parsley
Baking Sheet
Parchment Paper
For Spicy Sauce (recipe below):
Mayonnaise
Sriracha
Famous Dave’s Signature Sweet ‘N Spicy Pickle Relish
Dijon mustard
How to make Gameday Spicy Reuben Sliders
Preheat oven 350 degrees F. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Remove the King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Buns (Or Original Sweet Rolls) out of it’s packaging. Keeping them together, with a bread knife, while gently hold down the buns, slice the buns in half length-wise (like hamburger buns), set the bun tops aside.
Spread a thin layer of the spicy sauce (or dressing) in the inside top and bottom buns. Set on prepared baking sheet sauce side up and place in oven to toast for 10 minutes.
While buns are toasting: Melt the butter and mix in minced garlic (or garlic powder) and Worcestshire sauce. Set aside.
Remove all of the juice from the saukraut by squeezing it and set aside.
Remove buns from the oven and assemble the rest of the ingredients to make the Gameday Spicy Ruebuen Sliders.
Assemble with remaining ingredients in order: cheese slice, cornbeef, sauerkraut, and cheese slice. Last but not least, place the bun tops back on assembled sliders.
Melt the butter and mix in minced garlic (garlic powder), dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Then, liberally brush the tops of the rolls with the garlicky butter.
Sprinkle the top with Everything Bagel Seasonings and parsley.
Place back in the oven and bake for 20 – 25 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the tops are lightly browned.
Remove the sliders from the oven. However, let cool slightly. Slice them up and Serve Warm.
What to serve with Gameday Spicy Reuben Sliders?
The best side dishes to serve with Gameday Spicy Reuben Sliders are potato salad, blooming onion, fried pickles, deviled eggs, tater tots, baked potatoes, coleslaw, pickles, French fries, sweet potato fries, German-style potato pancakes, onion rings, and green salad.
Gameday Spicy Reuben Sliders
Ingredients
- 1 pkg. of King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Buns (Or Original Hawaiian Sweet Rolls)
- 1 lb Deli Sliced Cornbeef
- 8 oz Sauerkraut, drained, squeezed dry
- 12 slices Swiss Cheese
- 2 tablespoons Butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 -2 tablespoon Everything Bagel Seasoning
Spicy Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup Sriracha
- 2 tablespoon Famous Dave’s Pickle Relish Signature Sweet ‘N Spicy1 tablespoon dijon mustard
Instructions
- Preheat oven 350 degrees F. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Remove the King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Buns out of it’s packaging. While keeping the buns still intact, with a bread knife, slice the buns in half length-wise, set the bun tops aside.
- Spread a thin layer of the spicy sauce on the inside top and bottom buns. Then set on prepared baking sheet sauce side up and place in oven to toast for 10 minutes.
- While buns are toasting: Melt the butter and mix in minced garlic (or garlic powder) and Worcestershire sauce. Set aside.
- Remove all of the juice from the sauerkraut by squeezing it and set aside.
- Remove the buns from the oven and assemble the rest of the ingredients to make the Gameday Spicy Rueben Sliders.
- Assemble with remaining ingredients in order: cheese slice, cornbeef, sauerkraut, and cheese slice. Then, place the bun tops back on sliders.
- Melt the butter and mix in minced garlic (garlic powder) and Worcestershire sauce. Then, liberally brush the tops of the rolls with the garlicky butter.
- Sprinkle the top with Everything Bagel Seasonings and parsley.
- Place back in the oven and bake for 20 – 25 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the tops are lightly browned.
- Remove the sliders from the oven. However, let cool slightly. Slice them up.
- Serve Warm and Enjoy!
NOTES:
I had a hard time finding the King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Rolls. But, you can use King’s Hawaiian Sweet Rolls instead.
In place of Spicy Sauce: Sub Creamy Russian Dressing or Thousand Island Dressing.
In place of Sauerkraut: Sometimes people like coleslaw on their Rueben in place of sauerkraut. However, this variation is called the “Rachel Sandwich” instead of the “Rueben Sandwich.”
Adventurous? Use kimchee instead of sauerkraut and thousand island dressing.