Side Dish For Reuben Sandwich

Let’s be honest for a second. You’ve just made yourself a perfect Reuben sandwich. It’s tall, it’s messy, and it’s everything you wanted. But now it’s sitting there on the plate, lonely. It needs a friend.

The Sidekick Situation

A Reuben is a heavy hitter. All that corned beef, melted Swiss, tangy sauerkraut, and Russian dressing needs a side that can lighten the mood. You don’t want to double-down on the rich, fatty flavors. You want a side that plays a different tune.

Think of the Reuben as the lead singer of a rock band. It’s loud, confident, and takes up all the space. Your side dish? That’s the drummer. It keeps the rhythm, it holds the beat, and it ensures the whole experience doesn’t fall apart.

If you serve it with another heavy dish, like a pile of buttery noodles or a thick potato salad, your meal becomes a food coma waiting to happen. Nobody wants to nap at 2 p.m. on a Tuesday.

The Classic Choice: Pickles

Here’s the easiest, most reliable option: a dill pickle spear. It’s not a side dish you think about until you need it. But trust me, you need it.

The cold, crunchy, vinegary pickle cuts right through the richness of the Reuben like a tiny, green superhero. It resets your palate after each messy bite. I swear, my dad judges a deli not by its Reuben, but by the snap of its pickle.

If you want to get fancy, throw in some pickled green beans or a few pickled cherry peppers. The acidity is your best friend here. It’s the friend who tells you, “You’ve had enough,” in a nice way.

The Crunch Factor: Chips

Okay, be honest. When you order a Reuben at a diner, what do you really hope comes on the plate? It’s either a pile of salty potato chips or some thin, crispy fries.

Potato chips are the perfect textural contrast. The Reuben is soft, warm, and slightly damp (in a good way). The chips are dry, cold, and shatter in your mouth. It’s like a little party for your jaw.

Just don’t go for kettle-cooked chips that are too thick. You want a chip that crumbles easily. Thin, classic Lay’s or a ridged chip for dipping into extra Russian dressing? That’s the sweet spot. Pro tip: crush a few chips on top of your sandwich before you take a bite. You’ll thank me later.

Top 30 Side Dishes that Pair Well with Reuben Sandwiches - Mothers

The Cooling Agent: Coleslaw

Let’s talk about a side that does double duty: coleslaw. I’m not talking about the heavy, mayo-laden stuff that sits like a brick next to barbecue. I mean a tangy, vinegar-based slaw.

A bright, shredded cabbage slaw is like a cold breeze on a hot day. The crunch is there, the vinegar is there, and it adds a little bit of vegetable pride to an otherwise meat-heavy plate. It makes you feel like you’re eating a “balanced meal,” even if you just ate a pound of beef.

If you make it yourself, add a little caraway seed. That seed magically connects the slaw to the rye bread in your Reuben. It’s a flavor hug.

The Soup Connection

You know what’s underrated? A cup of tomato soup on the side. Not a bowl, a little cup. Hear me out.

The Reuben is a savory, salty monster. Tomato soup is sweet, acidic, and smooth. Dipping a corner of your Reuben into that warm soup is a revelation. It’s like taking a savory bit of sandwich and sending it through a spa treatment.

Plus, it makes you feel like you’re at a fancy diner in New York, even if you’re just wearing sweatpants in your kitchen. Instant upgrade.

The Diner Classic: French Fries

Yes, fries are obvious. But they are obvious for a reason. The key is how you fry them. You don’t want thick steak fries that are all fluffy potato. You want thin, crispy, almost burnt shoestring fries.

New York Style Brioche Reuben Pretzel Sandwich – St Pierre USA

These little golden strings are the perfect delivery system for any extra Russian dressing left on your plate. Dunk one in the dressing, then take a bite of your sandwich. It’s a rhythm, a dance, a ritual.

Just be careful not to fill up on fries before you finish the sandwich. That’s a rookie mistake. Pace yourself.

What About a Simple Salad?

I know, I know. Salad sounds like the “healthy” choice. But let me tell you about a good simple salad. We aren’t talking about sad lettuce.

A mix of arugula, shaved Parmesan, and a lemon vinaigrette is a genius companion to a Reuben. The peppery arugula and the sharp cheese fight back against the heavy meat. It’s like a palate argument, but in a good way.

The best part? You can eat the salad with your hands. Pick up a few leaves, wrap them around a bite of Reuben, and enjoy the fresh, crisp interruption. It’s like having a little garden on the side of your pile of goodness.

The Final Bite

Look, the Reuben is the star of the show. But a star needs a supporting cast. Don’t let your sandwich stand alone. Give it a pickle. Give it a chip. Give it a little cup of soup.

Your taste buds will dance between the hot and cold, the soft and crunchy, the rich and tangy. You’ll finish that meal feeling satisfied, not stuffed. You’ll feel like you went on a little flavor adventure.

And isn’t that what a good meal is all about? A little adventure on a plate, with a side of something that makes you smile. So next time you build a Reuben, ask yourself: Who’s coming to this party?