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Slow Cooker Reuben Melts

A delightful twist on the classic Reuben sandwich, with succulent corned beef, tangy sauerkraut, and creamy Swiss cheese.

  • Total Time: 495 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2–3 lb corned beef brisket (with spice packet if included)
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 cup Thousand Island dressing (or Russian dressing)
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 cup drained sauerkraut, well-rinsed and patted dry
  • 8–12 slices Swiss cheese
  • 8 slices rye or marble rye bread
  • 2 tbsp butter, softened for grilling
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Start by trimming excessive fat from the corned beef brisket and placing it fat-side up in the slow cooker.
  2. Pour 1 cup of beef broth around the sides of the brisket to keep it moist.
  3. Sprinkle the included spice packet or 1 tsp onion powder and freshly ground black pepper over the top of the brisket.
  4. Cover and cook on LOW for 480 minutes or HIGH for 300 minutes, until the meat is fork-tender.
  5. Remove the brisket from the slow cooker, let it rest for 10 minutes, then slice it thinly across the grain.
  6. Mix a little of the cooking liquid into the Thousand Island dressing to loosen it up, if desired.
  7. Preheat a skillet or griddle over medium heat.
  8. Assemble the sandwiches: Spread dressing on one slice of bread, layer with Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and generous slices of corned beef; top with a second slice of bread.
  9. Butter the outsides of the sandwiches and grill them for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown and the cheese is melted. Serve hot.

Notes

Tips for success include choosing quality meat and allowing the brisket to rest before slicing to retain its juices.

  • Author: jayne
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 480 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Not Vegetarian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 800mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 8g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 80mg

Keywords: Reuben sandwich, slow cooker, comfort food, family dinner, meal prep