Vegan Reuben Sandwich (made with tempeh or plant-based bacon)

The classic Reuben sandwich is easy to make meatless as well as dairy-free. This vegan reuben sandwich recipe is a quick-to-fix lunch and a fantastic choice for a soup-and-sandwich dinner.

This interpretation of the Reuben sandwich takes lots of culinary license, but the contrasting flavors are all there, including the must-have sauerkraut. Try to use a real fermented sauerkraut, which is as good for your gut as it is for your palate. Or, for an extra kick, use kimchi instead.

What’s a reuben sandwich?

The original Reuben features corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island or Russian dressing on rye bread. Sounds like a heart attack on toast! Vegan versions usually swap in plant-based bacon, and of course, vegan cheese.

For this recipe, we make our own dressing because the aforementioned dressings don’t often come in plant-based versions. And honestly, what I call “Thousand Island-ish” dressing is ridiculously easy to make at home with just three ingredients — vegan mayo, ketchup, and relish.

Finally, I like to add thin slices of tomato and avocado to my vegan reuben sandwiches to make them more colorful and extra veg-friendly.

Vegan bacon: Use your favorite brand of prepared vegan bacon (there’s Lightlife Fakin’ Bacon, Sweet Earth Benevolent Bacon, and others), or make your own Sweet and Savory Tempeh Strips, aka homemade tempeh bacon.

The yield for this recipe is 4 generous open-face sandwiches. Depending on appetite and what else is being served, this can serve 2 generously, or 4 if a lot of other food is being served. It’s easy to double this recipe for a bigger crowd.

What to serve with Vegan Reuben Sandwich: Keep it simple with a baked or microwaved sweet potato and/or fresh corn on the cob.

Photographs by Hannah Kaminsky, BittersweetBlog.com.

Explore more …

• Vegan avocado recipes.
• Hearty classic “meaty” sandwiches.
• Vegan tempeh recipes
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Yield: 2 to 4

Vegan Reuben Sandwich (made with tempeh or plant-based bacon)

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The classic Reuben sandwich is easy to make meatless as well as dairy-free. This vegan reuben is a quick-to-fix lunch and a fantastic choice for a soup-and-sandwich dinner. 

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise

• 1/4 cup good-quality ketchup
• 
1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
• 
8 ounces plant-based bacon or Smoky Tempeh Strips (see link in Notes)

• Vegan butter or oil

• 4 average slices fresh whole grain bread

• 4 vegan cheese slices, any variety

• 1 medium ripe avocado, pitted, peeled and thinly sliced
• 
2 medium tomatoes (or as needed), thinly sliced

• Well-drained sauerkraut, as desired (or use kimchi for a spicier kick)

Instructions

1. Combine the mayo, ketchup, and relish in a small bowl and stir together until well combined. Set aside.
2. Cook the bacon on a wide skillet with a little vegan butter or oil; or prepare the Tempeh Strips as directed in the recipe. When done, remove to a plate and cover.
3. For each slice of bread: Start with a generous layer of the mayo dressing, followed by a slice of cheese, avocado slices, tomato slices, tempeh bacon, and finally, as much sauerkraut as you’d like.
4. Wipe the skillet fairly clean and heat the just enough additional vegan butter or oil to coat the surface once again.
5. Cook the open-face sandwiches over medium heat in the skillet (in batches if need be) until the cheese melts. Serve at once.

Notes

Here's the link to Sweet and Savory Tempeh Strips if you'd like a DIY vegan bacon recipe.

Here are more delicious plant-based sandwiches and wraps, and ways to veganize classic recipes.