Did you know that the Reuben sandwich, with its combination of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing, was invented in the 1920s during a poker game?
This classic has become a staple in delis across America and deserves equally delightful sides to enhance each bite.
Whether you’re craving something crispy, creamy, or tangy, there’s a side dish to match the rich flavors of a Reuben.
In this guide, we’ll explore 30 superb side dishes that perfectly complement the unique taste of Reuben sandwiches.
From crispy potato chips and creamy coleslaw to refreshing cucumber salad, these pairings transform your Reuben meal into a delight.
Ready to elevate your sandwich experience? Let’s discover these fantastic combinations!
Best Sides to Serve Alongside Reuben Sandwiches
1. Potato Chips
- Flavor Profile: Crispy and salty with a satisfying crunch.
- Best Pairings: Complements Reuben sandwiches by adding a crunchy, savory side.
- Preparation or Recipe: Serve store-bought or homemade potato chips as a simple, ready-to-eat side.
2. Pasta Salad
- Flavor Profile: Light and tangy with a mix of pasta, vegetables, and a flavorful dressing.
- Best Pairings: Complements the Reuben with a refreshing, hearty side dish.
- Preparation or Recipe: Combine cooked pasta with chopped vegetables, olives, and a vinaigrette dressing. Chill before serving.
3. Coleslaw
- Flavor Profile: Tangy and crunchy with a creamy or vinegar-based dressing.
- Best Pairings: Provides a refreshing contrast to the rich, savory Reuben sandwich.
- Preparation or Recipe: Shred cabbage and carrots, and mix with a dressing made from mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Chill before serving.
4. Pickle Spear
- Flavor Profile: Tart and tangy with a crunchy texture.
- Best Pairings: Enhances the flavors of the Reuben by adding a zesty, refreshing side.
- Preparation or Recipe: Serve pre-sliced pickles or whole pickle spears alongside the sandwich.
5. Potato Salad
- Flavor Profile: Creamy and tangy with tender potatoes and a flavorful dressing.
- Best Pairings: Adds a classic, hearty side that complements the Reuben sandwich.
- Preparation or Recipe: Boil potatoes, then mix with mayonnaise, mustard, chopped celery, onions, and seasoning. Chill before serving.
6. Cucumber Salad
- Flavor Profile: Fresh and crisp with a light, tangy dressing.
- Best Pairings: Offers a cool and refreshing side that balances the richness of the Reuben.
- Preparation or Recipe: Slice cucumbers and mix with a dressing made from vinegar, sugar, dill, salt, and pepper. Chill before serving.
7. Grilled Corn on the Cob
- Flavor Profile: Sweet and smoky with a juicy, tender texture.
- Best Pairings: Complements the Reuben with a sweet and savory addition.
- Preparation or Recipe: Grill corn on the cob until charred and tender. Brush with butter and season with salt.
8. Sweet Potato Fries
- Flavor Profile: Sweet and crispy with a slightly caramelized exterior.
- Best Pairings: Adds a sweet contrast to the savory Reuben sandwich.
- Preparation or Recipe: Cut sweet potatoes into fries, toss with olive oil and seasoning, and bake at 425°F (220°C) for 25-30 minutes.
9. Sauerkraut
- Flavor Profile: Tangy and fermented with a crunchy texture.
- Best Pairings: Enhances the Reuben with its tartness and traditional flavor.
- Preparation or Recipe: Serve sauerkraut warm or cold alongside the sandwich. For extra flavor, sauté briefly with a bit of caraway seed.
10. Tomato Soup
- Flavor Profile: Rich and slightly tangy with a smooth, creamy texture.
- Best Pairings: Provides a warm and comforting option that pairs well with the Reuben.
- Preparation or Recipe: Simmer tomatoes with onions, garlic, and herbs. Blend until smooth, then stir in cream and season with salt and pepper.
11. Minestrone Soup
- Flavor Profile: Hearty and flavorful with a mix of vegetables, beans, and pasta in a savory broth.
- Best Pairings: Complements the Reuben with a satisfying, nutritious soup.
- Preparation or Recipe: Cook a mix of vegetables, beans, pasta, and broth with herbs. Simmer until tender and serve hot.
12. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Flavor Profile: Nutty and slightly sweet with a crispy exterior and tender interior.
- Best Pairings: Adds a flavorful and healthy vegetable side to the Reuben.
- Preparation or Recipe: Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes.
13. Garlic Bread
- Flavor Profile: Buttery and garlicky with a crispy, toasted texture.
- Best Pairings: Provides a savory, crunchy side that complements the Reuben sandwich.
- Preparation or Recipe: Spread butter mixed with minced garlic on slices of baguette or Italian bread. Toast in the oven until golden.
14. Creamy Mushroom Soup
- Flavor Profile: Rich and savory with a creamy texture and deep mushroom flavor.
- Best Pairings: Offers a comforting and flavorful soup that pairs well with the Reuben.
- Preparation or Recipe: Sauté mushrooms with onions and garlic. Add broth, blend until smooth, then stir in cream and season with salt and pepper.
15. Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Flavor Profile: Sweet and slightly caramelized with a tender interior.
- Best Pairings: Provides a sweet and savory side that pairs well with the Reuben.
- Preparation or Recipe: Cube sweet potatoes, toss with olive oil and seasoning, and roast at 425°F (220°C) until tender and caramelized.
16. Spinach Salad
- Flavor Profile: Mildly earthy with a light vinaigrette and often topped with nuts or fruit.
- Best Pairings: Offers a fresh, nutrient-rich side that complements the richness of the Reuben.
- Preparation or Recipe: Toss fresh spinach with a vinaigrette made from olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and a touch of honey. Top with nuts or fruit.
17. Green Beans Almondine
- Flavor Profile: Crisp green beans with a buttery, nutty flavor from toasted almonds.
- Best Pairings: Adds a crunchy, savory element to the meal that pairs well with the Reuben.
- Preparation or Recipe: Sauté green beans with butter and almonds until tender and lightly browned. Season with salt and pepper.
18. Stuffed Mushrooms
- Flavor Profile: Savory and rich with a tender mushroom cap filled with a flavorful mixture.
- Best Pairings: Complements the Reuben with a savory, bite-sized appetizer.
- Preparation or Recipe: Stuff mushroom caps with a mixture of cream cheese, garlic, herbs, and breadcrumbs. Bake until golden.
19. Baked Beans
- Flavor Profile: Sweet and savory with a thick, rich sauce.
- Best Pairings: Adds a comforting, hearty side to the Reuben sandwich.
- Preparation or Recipe: Simmer beans with brown sugar, molasses, and bacon until thickened and flavorful.
20. Onion Rings
- Flavor Profile: Crispy and savory with a sweet, tender onion center.
- Best Pairings: Adds a crunchy, flavorful side that enhances the Reuben sandwich.
- Preparation or Recipe: Dip onion rings in a seasoned flour batter and fry until golden brown. Serve hot.
21. Fruit Salad
- Flavor Profile: Sweet and refreshing with a mix of juicy fruits.
- Best Pairings: Provides a light, sweet contrast to the savory Reuben.
- Preparation or Recipe: Combine a variety of fresh fruits such as berries, melons, and citrus. Toss with a splash of lime or mint.
22. Marinated Artichokes
- Flavor Profile: Tangy and slightly nutty, with a tender texture.
- Best Pairings: Adds a flavorful and tangy side to complement the Reuben.
- Preparation or Recipe: Marinate artichoke hearts in olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and herbs. Serve as a side or appetizer.
23. Beet Salad
- Flavor Profile: Earthy and slightly sweet with a tangy vinaigrette.
- Best Pairings: Complements the Reuben with its rich, colorful side and vibrant flavor.
- Preparation or Recipe: Roast or boil beets, then slice and mix with goat cheese, walnuts, and a balsamic vinaigrette.
24. Greek Salad
- Flavor Profile: Fresh and tangy with a mix of vegetables, olives, and feta cheese.
- Best Pairings: Adds a Mediterranean touch that pairs well with the Reuben.
- Preparation or Recipe: Combine tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, olives, and feta cheese. Dress with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and oregano.
25. Macaroni and Cheese
- Flavor Profile: Creamy and cheesy with a rich, comforting taste.
- Best Pairings: Provides a hearty, indulgent side that complements the Reuben.
- Preparation or Recipe: Cook macaroni and mix with a cheese sauce made from butter, flour, milk, and shredded cheese. Bake until bubbly and golden.
26. Crispy Kale Chips
- Flavor Profile: Crunchy and savory with a slightly bitter edge.
- Best Pairings: Adds a light, crispy snack that contrasts well with the Reuben.
- Preparation or Recipe: Toss kale leaves with olive oil and seasoning, then bake at 350°F (175°C) until crispy.
27. Egg Salad
- Flavor Profile: Creamy and tangy with chunks of tender egg and a slightly spicy mustard flavor.
- Best Pairings: Provides a rich, savory side that works well with the Reuben.
- Preparation or Recipe: Mix chopped hard-boiled eggs with mayonnaise, mustard, salt, and pepper. Serve chilled.
28. Apple Sauce
- Flavor Profile: Sweet and slightly tangy with a smooth texture.
- Best Pairings: Provides a sweet and refreshing contrast to the savory Reuben sandwich.
- Preparation or Recipe: Serve store-bought or homemade apple sauce chilled or at room temperature.
29. Cornbread
- Flavor Profile: Sweet and slightly crumbly with a tender, moist texture.
- Best Pairings: Adds a comforting, slightly sweet side that complements the Reuben.
- Preparation or Recipe: Bake cornbread using cornmeal, flour, sugar, milk, eggs, and butter. Serve warm.
30. Creamy Dill Dip
- Flavor Profile: Creamy with a fresh, herbaceous flavor from dill.
- Best Pairings: Adds a tangy, creamy dip that pairs well with the Reuben sandwich.
- Preparation or Recipe: Mix Greek yogurt or sour cream with fresh dill, garlic, lemon juice, and seasoning. Serve with vegetables or as a dip.
Summing Up
We’ve journeyed through an extensive list of 30 side dishes, each uniquely suited to accompany the classic Reuben sandwich.
This collection covers various flavors, from the crispy and savory crunch of potato chips and fried pickles to the creamy and tangy notes of coleslaw and creamy dill dip.
Whether you prefer the refreshing zest of a cucumber salad or the rich, comforting taste of macaroni and cheese, there’s a side dish here to satisfy every palate.
These pairings complement the robust flavors of the Reuben and add delightful variety to your meal, ensuring that every bite is as enjoyable as the last.
Ready to turn your Reuben sandwich into a feast? Try these sides and savor the flavors!
