This grilled turkey Reubens recipe is a delightful twist on the classic Reuben sandwich. Perfect for a quick lunch or a satisfying dinner, this sandwich combines the savory flavors of turkey breast, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut with the creamy tang of thousand island dressing. Grilled to golden perfection, it's a meal that will please your taste buds and leave you wanting more.
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 tangy flavor to the sandwich, and it 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 aisle. Make sure to get a good quality one for the best flavor.

Ingredients For Grilled Turkey Reubens Recipe
Rye bread: A type of bread made with rye flour, known for its dense texture and slightly sour taste.
Turkey breast: Sliced deli turkey that provides a lean protein source for the sandwich.
Swiss cheese: A mild, nutty cheese that melts beautifully, adding a creamy texture to the sandwich.
Sauerkraut: Fermented cabbage that adds a tangy, slightly sour flavor to the sandwich.
Thousand island dressing: A creamy, tangy dressing made from mayonnaise, ketchup, and other seasonings, adding a burst of flavor.
Butter: Softened butter is used to spread on the bread, helping to achieve a golden, crispy exterior when grilled.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To ensure your grilled turkey reubens are perfectly crispy and golden brown, preheat your skillet for a few minutes before placing the sandwiches in it. This helps to create an even heat distribution, which is crucial for achieving that perfect crust. Additionally, press down gently on the sandwiches with a spatula while grilling to ensure all the ingredients meld together beautifully.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
rye bread - Substitute with pumpernickel bread: Pumpernickel has a similar dense texture and robust flavor that complements the other ingredients well.
rye bread - Substitute with whole wheat bread: Whole wheat bread provides a hearty texture and a slightly nutty flavor that pairs nicely with the turkey and sauerkraut.
turkey breast - Substitute with chicken breast: Chicken breast has a similar texture and mild flavor, making it a suitable alternative for turkey breast.
turkey breast - Substitute with roast beef: Roast beef offers a different but equally delicious flavor profile, adding a bit more richness to the sandwich.
swiss cheese - Substitute with provolone cheese: Provolone melts well and has a mild, slightly tangy flavor that works well in a Reuben.
swiss cheese - Substitute with mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella provides a creamy texture and mild flavor, making it a good alternative to Swiss cheese.
sauerkraut - Substitute with coleslaw: Coleslaw adds a crunchy texture and a tangy flavor that can mimic the acidity of sauerkraut.
sauerkraut - Substitute with kimchi: Kimchi offers a spicy and tangy flavor, adding a unique twist to the traditional Reuben.
thousand island dressing - Substitute with Russian dressing: Russian dressing has a similar creamy texture and tangy flavor, making it a great alternative.
thousand island dressing - Substitute with mayonnaise and ketchup mixture: A simple mix of mayonnaise and ketchup can mimic the creamy and tangy profile of thousand island dressing.
softened butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can be brushed on the bread for grilling, providing a similar crispness and a slightly different flavor.
softened butter - Substitute with margarine: Margarine can be used in place of butter for a similar texture and flavor when grilling the sandwich.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store or Freeze This Dish
- Allow the grilled turkey reubens to cool completely at room temperature before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the bread soggy.
- Wrap each sandwich individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This helps to maintain freshness and prevents the sandwiches from sticking together.
- Place the wrapped sandwiches in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. Label the container or bag with the date to keep track of their freshness.
- Store the sandwiches in the refrigerator if you plan to consume them within 3-4 days. For longer storage, place them in the freezer.
- When freezing, ensure the sandwiches are placed in a single layer to prevent them from getting squished. Once frozen, you can stack them to save space.
- To reheat, remove the sandwich from the wrapping. For refrigerated sandwiches, you can reheat them in a skillet over medium heat until the cheese is melted and the bread is crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- For frozen sandwiches, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. Then, reheat in a skillet or oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is melted.
- Avoid using a microwave to reheat, as it can make the bread rubbery and the sandwich less enjoyable.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap each Grilled Turkey Reuben in aluminum foil to keep the bread from drying out. Place the wrapped sandwiches on a baking sheet and heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the sandwich is warmed through.
For a quicker method, use a skillet. Heat the skillet over medium heat and place the Grilled Turkey Reuben in the pan. Cover with a lid to help the cheese melt evenly. Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the sandwich is heated through and the bread is crispy.
If you have an air fryer, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the Grilled Turkey Reuben in the air fryer basket and heat for about 3-5 minutes. This method will keep the bread crispy while ensuring the cheese melts perfectly.
For a microwave option, place the Grilled Turkey Reuben on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent the bread from becoming too tough. Microwave on medium power for about 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating. Note that this method might make the bread a bit softer.
If you have a toaster oven, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the Grilled Turkey Reuben directly on the rack or on a baking sheet. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is crispy.
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 butter on the slices of bread.
Cutting board: A surface for assembling the sandwiches and spreading the dressing.
Measuring cup: For accurately measuring the sauerkraut and thousand island dressing.
Measuring spoons: For measuring the exact amount of butter.
Plate: To hold the prepared sandwiches before grilling.
Knife: For slicing the sandwiches in half if desired after grilling.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Pre-slice ingredients: Have your turkey breast, rye bread, and swiss cheese pre-sliced and ready to go.
Use pre-made dressing: Opt for store-bought thousand island dressing to save time.
Drain sauerkraut in advance: Make sure your sauerkraut is well-drained before you start assembling.
Preheat the skillet: Get your skillet heating while you assemble the sandwiches.
Assemble in batches: Prepare all sandwiches at once, then grill them together to save time.

Grilled Turkey Reubens Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 slices Rye bread
- 8 slices Turkey breast
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
- 1 cup Sauerkraut drained
- ¼ cup Thousand Island dressing
- 2 tablespoon Butter softened
Instructions
- 1. Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread.
- 2. On the unbuttered side, spread Thousand Island dressing.
- 3. Layer turkey, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese on four slices of bread. Top with 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
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
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