A Grilled Turkey Reuben Sandwich is a delightful twist on the classic Reuben, swapping out the traditional corned beef for turkey breast. This sandwich combines the savory flavors of turkey, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut with the creamy tang of thousand island dressing, all nestled between slices of buttery rye bread.
If you don't usually stock rye bread or sauerkraut at home, you might need to make a trip to the supermarket. Rye bread has a distinct flavor that complements the other ingredients, while sauerkraut adds a tangy crunch. Make sure to also pick up some thousand island dressing if you don't have it on hand, as it's essential for the classic Reuben taste.

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.
Turkey breast: Slices of cooked turkey breast, providing a lean and flavorful protein.
Swiss cheese: A mild, nutty cheese that melts beautifully, adding a creamy texture to the sandwich.
Sauerkraut: Fermented cabbage that adds a tangy, crunchy element to the sandwich.
Thousand island dressing: A creamy, tangy dressing made from mayonnaise, ketchup, and other seasonings, essential for the classic Reuben flavor.
Butter: Softened butter is used to grill the bread to a golden brown, adding richness and flavor.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To ensure your grilled turkey reuben sandwich achieves the perfect golden brown crust, make sure to evenly spread the softened butter on each slice of rye bread. This not only helps in achieving a uniform crispiness but also enhances the flavor. Additionally, pressing down gently with a spatula while grilling can help the swiss cheese melt more evenly, creating a gooey, delicious interior.
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 sandwich fillings.
turkey breast - Substitute with chicken breast: Chicken breast has a similar mild flavor and lean protein content, making it a suitable alternative.
turkey breast - Substitute with roast beef: Roast beef offers a different but complementary flavor profile, adding a bit more richness to the sandwich.
swiss cheese - Substitute with provolone cheese: Provolone has a mild and slightly tangy flavor that works well in a Reuben sandwich.
swiss cheese - Substitute with mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella melts beautifully and has a mild flavor that won't overpower the other ingredients.
sauerkraut - Substitute with coleslaw: Coleslaw provides a similar crunchy texture and tangy flavor, adding a fresh element to the sandwich.
sauerkraut - Substitute with pickled red cabbage: Pickled red cabbage offers a similar tangy taste and adds a vibrant color to the sandwich.
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 provides a sweet and tangy flavor that complements the other ingredients well.
softened butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can be brushed on the bread for a healthier alternative that still provides a nice crisp when grilled.
softened butter - Substitute with margarine: Margarine can be used as a direct substitute for butter, offering a similar texture and flavor.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Sandwich
How to Store or Freeze This Sandwich
Allow the grilled turkey reuben sandwiches to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the bread soggy.
Wrap each sandwich individually in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. This helps maintain freshness and prevents the sandwiches from sticking together.
Place the wrapped sandwiches in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. This extra layer of protection keeps out moisture and air, preserving the texture and flavor.
Store the container or bag in the refrigerator if you plan to eat the sandwiches within 2-3 days. For longer storage, place them in the freezer.
To freeze, label each package with the date. This ensures you use the sandwiches within 1-2 months for optimal taste and quality.
When ready to enjoy, thaw frozen sandwiches in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing process helps maintain the sandwich's integrity.
Reheat the sandwiches in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the sandwich is heated through. Alternatively, you can use a grill pan or skillet over medium heat, grilling each side for 3-4 minutes.
Avoid using a microwave for reheating, as it can make the bread chewy and the sauerkraut soggy.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Wrap the grilled turkey reuben sandwich in aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out.
- Place the wrapped sandwich on a baking sheet.
- Heat in the oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the sandwich is heated through.
- For a crispier exterior, open the foil for the last 2-3 minutes of heating.
Skillet Method:
- Preheat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Place the grilled turkey reuben sandwich in the skillet.
- Cover the skillet with a lid to help the cheese melt evenly.
- Heat for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the sandwich is warmed through and the bread is crispy.
Microwave Method:
- Place the grilled turkey reuben sandwich on a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover the sandwich with a damp paper towel to keep it from drying out.
- Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
- For a crispier texture, you can finish by briefly toasting the sandwich in a toaster oven or skillet.
Toaster Oven Method:
- Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the grilled turkey reuben sandwich directly on the toaster oven rack or on a baking tray.
- Heat for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the sandwich is heated through.
- For extra crispiness, you can toast for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the grilled turkey reuben sandwich in the air fryer basket.
- Heat for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the cheese is melted and the sandwich is hot and crispy.
Best Tools for Making This Sandwich
Grill pan: A flat pan with ridges used to grill the sandwich, giving it those beautiful grill marks and an even cook.
Spatula: A flat tool used to flip the sandwich and ensure both sides are evenly grilled.
Butter knife: A small knife used to spread the softened butter on the bread slices.
Measuring cup: Used to measure the sauerkraut and thousand island dressing accurately.
Tongs: Handy for placing and removing the sandwich from the grill pan without burning your fingers.
Cutting board: A surface to assemble the sandwich ingredients before grilling.
Knife: Used to slice the turkey breast if it’s not pre-sliced and to cut the sandwich in half before serving.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Preassemble ingredients: Gather and prepare all ingredients like turkey breast, swiss cheese, and sauerkraut ahead of time.
Use pre-sliced items: Opt for pre-sliced turkey breast and swiss cheese to save on prep time.
Preheat the grill pan: Ensure your grill pan is preheated to save cooking time.
Butter in advance: Butter the rye bread slices beforehand and store them in the fridge.
Assemble sandwiches quickly: Lay out all components in an assembly line to make sandwich building faster.

Grilled Turkey Reuben Sandwich Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 slices Rye Bread
- 4 slices Turkey Breast
- 4 slices Swiss Cheese
- ½ cup Sauerkraut drained
- ¼ cup Thousand Island Dressing
- 2 tablespoon Butter softened
Instructions
- 1. Preheat your grill pan over medium heat.
- 2. Butter one side of each slice of rye bread.
- 3. Place two slices of bread, buttered side down, on the grill pan.
- 4. Layer each slice with turkey, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing.
- 5. Top with the remaining slices of bread, buttered side up.
- 6. Grill until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- 7. Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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