Recently while Jay and I were at Brown’s for dinner, we both ended up having one of the menu items totally catch our eye: a Turkey Rueben. Now, I have had many a-Ruebens in my day, both the original with corned beef and the turkey Rueben.
(Fun Fact: One of my favorite meals used to be the Rueben Supermelt from Friendly’s.)
So while I have been enjoying the Rueben sandwich for quite sometime now, Jay, on the other hand, has never tried one; and it is for one reason, and one reason only:
The thought of sauerkraut completely grosses him out.
I mean, I guess I can’t really blame him. The stuff does stink to the high heavens and it really has no physical appeal to it whatsoever. However, no matter how many times I have tried to tell him that it’s a totally different story on a Rueben, he just will not do it.
So, while I was out grocery shopping, I put on my Savvy Wife pants and decided that I was determined to get Jay to try a turkey Rueben…even if it did mean sans sauerkraut. Luckily when I’m determined, my end results are usually pretty decent.
Unlike a typical Reuben which uses rye bread, I picked up a loaf of rosemary and olive oil bread that completely grabbed my attention at the bakery. It was the bread special of the day, so that didn’t hurt either.
Inside this amazing rosemary and olive oil bread went some fresh deli turkey, Swiss cheese, bacon (the real stuff), tomatoes, and homemade Russian dressing.
Have you ever tried making Russian dressing? If not, let me tell you how…because it’s not only beyond easy, but I think it’s 10x better than the bottled stuff.
Homemade Russian Dressing
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup light mayo
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon sweet relish*
- dash of paprika
Instructions
- Just stir it all together and you’ve got yourself some homemade Russian dressing.
Notes
Once the sandwiches were filled, I sprayed the tops of the bread with a little spray butter and a sprinkling of rosemary seasoning, popped ‘em on the panini maker (instead of grilling them)…
And then got Jay totally hooked on the Turkey Reuben…sans sauerkraut, of course.
To go with our Ruebens, I roasted a big head of cauliflower, which got seasoned with a generous helping of Garlic Gold. That stuff is amazing.
This dinner definitely got four thumbs up, along with about a zillion ”Oh my god these are so good” comments from us!
Have you ever tried a Rueben sandwich?
Do you like sauerkraut?
Kathryn @ Flopoodle says
I only like sauerkraut with ruebens! I always go for corned beef, but your turkey version looks good!
Lindsay @ In Sweetness and In Health says
I hate sauerkraut haha…so I’ve actually never had a rueben! But I would eat one of your rueben sandwiches in a heartbeat- that thing sounds and looks amazing! Will you be enlightening us on this new stuff happening?? I’m intrigued!
Courtney says
Yuppers…tomorrow :)
Blog is the New Black says
Ok, so what does sauerkrut taste like? I’ve never had a rueben, either! Not because I hate sauerkraut, but… Idk why! I hate mayo/Russian dresing but I’d prob like it without that… if I can figure out what this sauerkraut bizniz is!
Courtney says
Hmmm, it’s kinda, well, sour, haha!
Cabbage-like too…
Erica says
i LOVE sauerkraut!!!! yum!
Lily says
I used to love the supermelts from Friendly’s too!! My mom told me the other day that Friendly’s declared bankruptcy. saddest. day. ever.
Cait @ Cait hates Cake says
While I’ve never had a REAL reuben, I did make a vegetarian version about a month ago using tempeh. Turned out great! I never ate sauerkraut until then, but I ending up liking it!
Stephanie @cookinfanatic says
What an easy yummy dinner, the sammiches looks great!
I loveeeee sauerkraut (I’m Polish haha, not sure if that’s why?) One of our traditional Christmas Eve dishes that has been in the family forever is a basic sauerkraut & noodles (onion, sauerkraut, shell noodles, lotsa butter plus some black pepper) and I eat this for dayssss after the holidays. Love :)
Kristen says
Hi,
Okay, I’ve finally decided to buy Garlic Gold. What products do you recommend? Do you buy them online?
Thanks,
K
Courtney says
Yes! You can buy them online. I’d say if you’re going to go for one thing, go for the garlic gold nuggets: https://secure.garlicgold.com/products/garlic-gold-nuggets/
They’re awesome! The garlic oil is also pretty amazing. :)
Kristen says
Thanks so much, Courtney!
Sana says
Umm you are the best wife ever! I don’t even know what sauerkraut is????!
Lauren says
I don’t think I’ve had a Ruben in years, or sauerkraut for that matter but you’ve made me miss them with this post. My mom used to make them for me as a kid along with cream of mushroom soup. It was a childhood favorite!
Stellina says
I am not sure that I’ve ever had a ruben or sauerkraut, not sure I would like it though because I don’t really like ham or pork. I’m more of a chicken sandwich kinda chick :)
Courtney says
Make it with turkey like I did…it’s the bomb! ;)
Erin @ The Grass Skirt says
First of all, I love how you know about Friendly’s! A lot of people have never heard of it. My mom used to take my sister and I there on the last day of school. Their peanut butter syrup was to die for! Anyway, I actually eat raw sauerkraut because it is really detoxifying. I didn’t think that I’d like the taste, but I really do. You’re right though- the smell is not pleasant.
Courtney says
OMG, the peanut butter syrup! I could eat (drink?) it by the gallon!
So sauerkraut is detoxifying?? I did not know that! In that case, I think I’ll go open up a can! ;)
But seriously, how much would one need to eat to gain any benefits?
Erin @ The Grass Skirt says
My best friend has told me many times that her dream is to swim in a giant tub of that peanut butter syrup and just drink it all up. I don’t think I’d have a probably drinking it either! ;)
I’m sort of obsessed with Kimberly Snyder’s Beauty Detox Solution right now, and she recommends 2 tablespoons of raw sauerkraut a day. I put it on my salads at lunch and really like it! Apparently, it also boosts immunity. I’m not sure if it is a coincidence or not, but I have lupus and usually get sick a lot. Since starting the sauerkraut, I haven’t been sick at all!
Krissie J @ A Philly Nerd Girl says
I fricken love Friendly’s! My coworker and I used to get sundaes once in a while when things got stressful at work.
Erica @ For the Sake of Cake says
I’ve never tried a Rueben, primarily because I’m not a fan of sauerkraut! The only time I’ll eat it is when I’m forced to on New Year’s Day for “good luck”! :-)
Abby @ Abz 'n' Oats says
I’ve never tried a reuben but I love sauerkraut! Especially on pizza! :)
Krissie J @ A Philly Nerd Girl says
I have that in common with Jay! Sauerkraut weirds me out so much I have never eaten it and thus have no had a rueben. This greatly saddens Scott since he loves both. :)
Melissa says
I’m from a good Polish/German family, so sauerkraut is in my DNA! I love turkey reubens with extra dressing! YUM!
Jess@atasteofconfidence says
I want a panini maker so bad. Looks great!
Brittany says
I used to love reubens when I was younger. I haven’t had one in FOREVER now!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
Reubens are amazing. I get Russian dressing on most deli sandwiches because it’s so darn good it shouldn’t just be reserved for reubens!
Sara @ RunnerWife says
I am not a bit reuben fan, my dad is though! Anytime we go to a deli type restaraunt he always makes sure to get one!
Ari @ Ari's Menu says
I love a reuben, but I also get it with no sauerkraut. Have you ever tried turkey pastrami? Best reuben meat even IMO! :)
Pamela says
I used to love the Rueben at Friendly’s, too!! I actually have a great recipe for a Rueben Casserole I made a few months ago that I will have to post soon! :)
Courtney says
OMG YUM! Please post ASAP! :)
Katie says
I love reubens….sans sauerkraut.
My Polish grandparents hang their heads in shame :-(
Colleen @ Jimmy Choos on the Treadmill says
I’ve never tried a Reuben, but I don’t like tomatoes or sauerkraut. That bread sounds heavenly though!
P.S. Sorry about the Jets ;)
Courtney says
Hahaha…thanks. That was a pretty awful showing by my guys in green, I’ll tell ya!
Kirstie @ Musings of a Happy Life says
Never tried a Reuben sandwich but now I want to! hehe!
Khushboo says
I’m with Jay- I can’t/won’t do sauerkraut..although I’d love to try a sauerkraut free-Reuben, looks yum!
Shannon @ Healthiful Balance says
That sandwich looks delish!
Noo, I am not a fan of sauerkraut :P
Sabine says
I’m totally with Melissa :) !
I’m from Germany. I grew up with Sauerkraut and I still love it.
Btw, Sauerkraut is actually a german word (sauer = sour, Kraut = cabbage).
But I never ate a Rueben Sandwich. Seems to me, this is unknown over here. Never saw it anywhere, not in the supermarket, not at a restaurant.
So, it’s the Sauerkraut without the sandwich for me ;).
Christy says
I absolutely LOVE reubens… however, not the ones you can get on Rye bread out at a restaurant. (Ewww! Rye bread ruins it) Ever since i was a kid, Reubens were an “after St. Patty’s day” special in our household. My dad would make them using soft pumpernickel bread, swiss cheese, sauerkraut, corned beef, and thousand island dressing. These things are like crack cocaine. I could easily eat two sandwiches at a time. The sports grill in east greenbush makes them on marbled rye, which is so-so, but if you want a great reuben you have to have pumpernickel.
Hope says
This sandwich looks delicious! I don’t think I’ve ever had a reuben but I’ve always wanted to try it. Russian dressing is one of my all-time faves. I never knew how easy it was to make at home. I’m going to have to try it. I can’t wait to get a panini maker. I’m going to have to try making this sandwich. I don’t think I’ve ever had sauerkraut before! I don’t like how it smells but I might like how it tastes? ;)
Emmarie @ Bananas and Beer says
I just recently got a panini maker, and I swear I’ve used that thing every single day. Reubens are just the best, I’m not a huge kraut fan, but a little is necessary to get the reuben effect.
Katy @ HaveYouHurd says
LOVE saurkraut but my hubs is the same way. He’s all like, “that sounds weird” so he won’t eat it. dumb. Anywho, I’ll def try this version. I know he’ll love it!
Katie @ Plates and Paste says
Yes and yes! I used to not like reubens, but now I’m a fan :) Down here in FL there’s even such a thing as a grouper reuben, which sounds odd, but it’s actually really good!
Kristine @ Running on Hungry says
I was just thinking of what to make for dinner tonight and your post just sealed the deal that I will be busting out my panini maker! (Can you make quesadillas on a panini maker?) Hopefully because I have black beans, corn, salsa, cheese and chicken that needs to be put to good use! :)
Courtney says
Yes! Definitely :)
Samantha says
Reubens are my favorite sandwich!
A splurge is a reuben from Cracker Barrell. I normally make them at home though, they’re really good with cracked pepper turkey.