Venison Reuben Sandwich Recipe (2024)

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If you’re a fan of traditional Reuben sandwiches, try this delicious twist on the classic: a corned venison Reuben!

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This hearty sandwich features slices of brined and cooked venison layered with tangy sauerkraut, creamy Thousand Island dressing, and gooey Swiss cheese, all between slices of rye bread. It’s a unique way to enjoy a Reuben sandwich, and it’s perfect for using up any leftover venison you might have in your fridge.

We’ll give you a step-by-step guide on how to make this mouth-watering sandwich, so you can enjoy it any time you like.

The origin of the Reuben

The origin of the Reuben is, like the origins of many different foods, debatable. There are at least 4 or 5 different stories. One common thread of information is that it originated sometime in the early 1900s, between 1915 and 1930. Most believe it originated in New York City, but one story suggests it originated in Omaha, Nebraska! The other commonality is that it was invented by a Jewish-American.

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Several years ago, we started making corned beef in the slow cooker. Now I make my own corned venison and cook it in the slow cooker, as well!

You would never know that this is a tougher cut of venison. It is tender, juicy, and delicious! It is simply unbeatable and so easy because the slow cooker does all the work. Most people who try it agree it is even better than corned beef.

What is corning?

Corning is the process of curing meat. In the days before refrigeration, meat was “corned” with large salt that resembled kernels of corn. to preserve it for longer-term storage.See this short article from the USDA.

Today corning is typically done with a brine. It takes a bit of time for the corning process. But hands-on time is minimal. The brine does all of the work.

The process for making corned venison and venison pastrami differs only in the smoking. Venison pastrami is smoked, and corned venison is unsmoked.

To corn this venison, you need a meat curing salt, such as Morton tender quick, pink curing salt, or instacure. Plus a large venison roast, brown sugar, and a variety of spices like garlic powder, black peppercorns, and a spice mix called pickling spice, which contains bay leaf, whole cloves, whole allspice, mustard seeds, whole coriander seeds.

These are mixed with water and poured over the roasts. Then the brine needs to work on them for a week or so. For complete instructions, see Homemade Corned Venison Curing.

Once the meat has finished curing, it needs to be cooked. We cook it in the slow cooker with Guinness stout beer, carrots, onions, a few bay leaves, garlic cloves, and more pickling spice. You want the corned meat to be fork tender when it is done cooking but not fall apart, so cook it to about 180°F.

It can also be cooked in a large pot or Dutch oven on the stove. Bring it to a boil over high heat, then turn it down to a low simmer. Again, simmer for a couple of hours until the venison is tender.

What you need

  • Corned venison (brined and cooked) Sliced thin.
  • Rye bread – use homemade or store-bought rye
  • Swiss cheese
  • Sauerkraut
  • Thousand Island dressing or Russian dressing
  • Unsalted butter or mayonnaise
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How to make it

Soften butter, or use mayonnaise to baste one side of the bread.

The mayonnaise will give it a lovely crispiness.

Heat the frying pan over medium-low heat. Place the bread in the frying pan with the basted side down.

Top it with thousand island dressing and spread it out.

Lay slices of corned venison on top of the dressing.

Sprinkle with the drained sauerkraut.

Baste one side of the other slice of bread with more mayonnaise or butter.

Lay the bread on the constructed sandwich with the basted side up.

Let the first side fry until it is golden brown.

Carefully flip the sandwich over and brown the second side.

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What to serve with them

Lots of side dishes go well with a Reuben sandwich. Some of our favorites are;

  • Sweet potato fries – Cut raw sweet potatoes into thin slices. Cut these into strips. Then toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast in the oven until crispy and golden brown.
  • Coleslaw – Mix shredded cabbage, carrots, and a dressing of your choice (such as mayo, apple cider vinegar, and honey) for a crunchy and refreshing side.
  • Pickles – Add some tang and crunch with a side of dill pickles or bread and butter pickles.
  • Chips – Serve your Reuben with a side of potato chips or veggie chips for some extra crunch.
  • Roasted vegetables – Roast some Brussels sprouts, asparagus, or other veggies with olive oil and garlic for a nutritious side dish.
  • Potato Salad– Mix your potatoes with crisped bacon, chopped hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, and spices.

These sides will complement the flavors of your corned venison Reuben nicely, and they’re all easy to prepare.

More venison recipes

Click the link to view the video How to Make Homemade Reubens
Here’s how to make your own Corned Beef or Venison!

  • Reuben Dinner Salad
  • Smoked Venison Backstrap
  • Venison Breakfast Sausage
  • Summer Sausage
  • Shepherd’s Pie
  • cast iron frying pans 12″
  • extra large bamboo cutting board

Want to learn more about How to Cook Venison? Don’t miss our awesome Ultimate Guide! Complete with 75 FREE Recipes from some of the top venison recipe developers in the world!

If you’re looking for a delicious twist on the classic Reuben sandwich, the corned venison Reuben is a must-try. It’s a hearty and flavorful sandwich that’s perfect for lunch or dinner, and it’s a great way to use up any leftover venison you might have on hand.

Following our simple instructions, you can quickly whip up the classic flavors in this sandwich at home and enjoy it in no time. So, gather your ingredients and give it a try – you won’t be disappointed!

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If you have any questions or comments, please ask in the comment section below. We’d love to hear from you.

I hope you enjoyed the recipe today.

Enjoy. And have fun cooking!

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Reuben Sandwiches on YouTube!

The king of all grilled sandwiches! Made with corned beef or venison and topped with Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and 1000 Island dressing!

See Step by Step Photos Above!Most of our recipes have step by step photos and videos! Also helpful tips so that you can make it perfectly the first time and every time! Scroll up to see them!

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course, Sandwich

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 sandwich

Calories: 681kcal

Author: Beth Neels

Cost: $4

Ingredients

  • 2-3 slices Corned Venison (can use corned beef)
  • butter or mayonnaise room temperature
  • 2 pieces Rye Bread
  • 2 Tbsp Thousand Island Dressing
  • 2-3 slices Swiss cheese
  • Sauerkraut to taste about 3 heaping Tbsp per sandwich

Instructions

  • Slice Corned Venison or Beef thin.

    2-3 slices Corned Venison (can use corned beef)

  • Butter rye bread on one side of each slice.

    butter or mayonnaise, 2 pieces Rye Bread

  • Spread Thousand Island Dressing on the opposite side of the butter on one slice of bread.

    2 Tbsp Thousand Island Dressing

  • Layer corned beef or venison, cheese and sauerkraut on top of Thousand Island.

    2-3 slices Swiss cheese, Sauerkraut to taste

  • Cover sandwich with the other slice of bread with the buttered side out.

  • Brown first side on a small frying pan over medium heat.

  • Flip and brown the other slice of bread. Remove from pan. Enjoy!

Venison Reuben Sandwich Recipe (9) See all of my favorite tools and gift ideas on my New Amazon Store!Check out Binky’s Amazon Store!

Video

Venison Reuben Sandwich Recipe (10)

Notes

Bread can be toasted on both sides, if you prefer.

You will hear the sizzling stop in the pan, if doing 1 sandwich. That will indicate that sandwich is ready to be flipped.

Best if made fresh.

Individual components of the sandwich can be refrigerated for 3-4 days.

Sandwich should be made fresh.

Nutrition

Calories: 681kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 420mg | Potassium: 43mg | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 535IU | Calcium: 443mg | Iron: 0.4mg

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Originally Published 4/15/2016. Updated 3/28/2023.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you go to the link and purchase something at no additional cost to you. See FTC Disclosurehere.

Venison Reuben Sandwich Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is a redneck Reuben sandwich? ›

The Redneck Reuben Sandwich is the best BBQ sandwich on the planet! Pork, cheese, collard greens and Texas toast, what more could you need ...

How do you keep a Reuben from getting soggy? ›

Both kinds of meat are cured, but pastrami is then coated with a flavorful spice rub and smoked. Why is my Reuben sandwich soggy? The culprit is most likely the sauerkraut. Be sure to drain off as much liquid as possible from the sauerkraut before piling it onto your Reuben sandwich to prevent any sogginess.

Should a Reuben be pressed or toasted? ›

In some cases, this rule works for melts, which is what a Reuben technically is. But with the Reuben, I prefer to revert to single-side toasting, because I like the inner surfaces of the bread in a Reuben to be slightly steamed and tender, the whole thing partially fusing together.

How was the original Reuben sandwich made? ›

They often hosted celebrities after a night out at the theater and in 1914, actress Annette Seelos came into the deli. Owner Arnold Reuben prepared her a sandwich with ham, cheese, turkey, coleslaw and dressing. Initially, the sandwich was called the Annette Seelos Special.

What is a Texas Reuben? ›

Brisket, sauerkraut, swiss cheese, thousand island on rye bread.

What is a Boston Reuben? ›

Each bite is a harmonious mouthful of tender corned beef, Swiss cheese, creamy Russian dressing, and tangy sauerkraut, the ingredients all wedged between slices of grilled dark rye.

Should a Reuben have pastrami or corned beef? ›

A Reuben sandwich is typically made with corned beef. It would taste great with pastrami too, it just wouldn't be a classic Reuben! Bottom line: You can't go wrong with either of these flavor-packed deli meats.

What is the difference between a Cuban and Reuben sandwich? ›

Did you know that although similar, a Reuben sandwich uses pastrami whereas a Cuban uses sliced ham or pork loin?

What is a good substitute for meat in a Reuben? ›

Tempeh, seitan, vegetables and mushrooms have stood in for the corned beef, but they're not really needed, because outsize quantities of the other traditional elements make a punchy, gooey sandwich on their own. Both sides of the buttered rye get melted Swiss.

What is a Reuben without sauerkraut called? ›

The Rachel sandwich is one of several variations on the famous sandwich. Instead of the classic corned beef and sauerkraut, the Rachel is usually made with turkey or pastrami and coleslaw. Both sandwiches are made with Swiss cheese and rye bread.

Is Thousand Island dressing the same as Russian dressing? ›

The one ingredient that separates Russian from Thousand Island. The ingredient that differentiates Russian dressing from Thousand Island is—drumroll, please—horseradish.

What chips go best with a Reuben? ›

Reuben + kettle salt & pepper chips

To balance it out, a simple bag of Kettle salt and pepper chips really does the trick. You still get the satisfying crunch, but aren't overwhelmed with other flavors that will clash with the Reuben.

What is Arby's Reuben made of? ›

About the Sandwich

Marbled rye bread filled with freshly sliced corned beef, melty Swiss Cheese, tangy sauerkraut and creamy Thousand Island dressing. This is a Reuben sandwich inspired by the New York standard.

What's the difference between a Rachel and a Reuben? ›

The difference between a Rachel and a Reuben is the use of cole slaw rather than sourkraut. Traditionally, both sandwiches were made with corned beef, but that has been modified by using other meats, such as turkey. But the form of cabbage is the distinguishing factor.

What animal does corned beef come from? ›

In North America, corned beef is brisket, taken from the lower chest of a cow or steer, that has been brined in salt and spices. (In general British usage, fresh corned beef is called “salt beef,” while the canned version retains the “corned” designation.)

What is a Georgia Reuben? ›

[…] With the Georgia Reuben, we take a break from the usual Reuben sandwich. It is served with grilled Rye bread and Russian dressing and is topped with roasted turkey, Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and Russian dressing.

What is a classic Reuben sandwich made of? ›

The Reuben Sandwich is an American classic made with savory corned beef piled on our favorite marble rye bread and topped with plenty of baby swiss cheese, crunchy, tangy sauerkraut, and zippy Russian dressing, then griddled to perfection until the cheese melts and the bread is toasted.

What's the difference between a Reuben and a Rachel sandwich? ›

The difference between a Rachel and a Reuben is the use of cole slaw rather than sourkraut. Traditionally, both sandwiches were made with corned beef, but that has been modified by using other meats, such as turkey. But the form of cabbage is the distinguishing factor.

What is a classic Reuben made of? ›

A traditional reuben sandwich consists of thinly sliced corned beef, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut on rye bread slathered with Russian or Thousand Island dressing.

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