| Level: | Intermediate |
| Total: | 50 min |
| Prep: | 15 min |
| Cook: | 35 min |
| Yield: | 4 servings |
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 1 clove garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 pound bag sauerkraut, drained and rinsed
- 1 sweet apple, peeled, and grated
- Generous pinch allspice
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon chili sauce or ketchup
- Dash hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives and/or fresh dill
- 2 teaspoons capers, chopped
- 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, optional
- 12 slices tempeh bacon, optional
- 1 to 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 8 slices rye bread
- 12 slices dill pickle
- 2 cups grated Swiss cheese (8 ounces)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- For the sauerkraut: Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Add the sauerkraut, apple, and allspice, season with salt and a generous grinding of pepper. Cook until sauerkraut is tender, lightly browned and all the liquid has evaporated, about 15 minutes more.
- For the Russian dressing: Mix all the dressing ingredients together, cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
- For the Sandwich: Preheat broiler to low.
- If using the tempeh: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, and cook the tempeh, in batches as needed, until crispy golden brown, about 3 minutes. Transfer to paper towels.
- Spread some butter on 1 side of each slice of bread. Place 4 pieces, buttered side down, on a foil-lined baking sheet. Spread some of the Russian dressing on the sides facing up. Evenly lay the pickles, tempeh if using, sauerkraut, and then cheese on top. Place the open faced sandwiched under the broiler and cook until the cheese melts, about 2 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the broiler. Spread the rest of the dressing on the uncovered side of the 4 remaining bread slices, place on top melted cheese, buttered side up to finish the sandwiches. Return to the broiler and toast sandwich, turning once so both sides get nice and golden brown, about 2 minutes total, serve hot.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 of 4 servings |
| Calories | 879 |
| Total Fat | 73 g |
| Saturated Fat | 27 g |
| Carbohydrates | 27 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 7 g |
| Sugar | 10 g |
| Protein | 29 g |
| Cholesterol | 127 mg |
| Sodium | 1800 mg |
Reviews
I’m a vegetarian, and my carnivorous family is usually willing to give some of my “Faux Meat” meals a try for the first time along with me. But, all did not go as planned. My local store was continuously out of the plant based bacon. I decided to make this sandwich anyway. I purchased regular bacon for my family and I had my sandwich without “meat”. The verdict came in and this sandwich was delicious and requested for future meals. My meatless sandwich was also a win and I can’t wait to have it again! My “old school” mom said it was even better than a regular Rueben sandwich.
An evil carnivore friend made this for me when she was serving “regular” Reuben sandwiches….it was outrageously good. I’ll make it again many, many times.
The Tempeh Bacon is not optional. You wouldn’t say that the meat on a reuben is optional. Just stick to it when you say vegetarian. We eat fake meat and it’s awesome!
Followed the recipe with the exception of using Morning Star Veg bacon instead of the tempeh bacon (could not find in our small town) The end result was still great! My wife and I enjoyed it immensely and will make again! Thanks for sharing!
Well, I didn’t have any mayo so couldn’t make the sauce – BUT – this was the most mouthwatering Reuben I’ve ever had! I also used pickled red onions in addition to the pickles.
Delicious – and filling. Loved it without the pickles. Although i love pickles it was better without. Used tofurky brand peppered “meat” and no one missed the pastrami. Plus it costs about half as much.
My family loved this! I added corned beef for my meat loving family and enjoyed tempeh on mine….although I could’ve left that off, and as said before…”not missed it”. My boys ate the sauerkraut w/o complaints. That is enough for me! Will double the Russian dressing next time.
It was really delicious and easy. I didn’t use tempeh bacon, but i didn’t even miss having any meat on the sandwich. My husband said it tasted as good as a restaurant sandwich!
Delish. i made this for my generally meat-eating family and it was a total hit! 🙂
Loved it!