What Goes With A Reuben Sandwich

There are sandwiches, and then there is the Reuben. A glorious, messy masterpiece of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing, all grilled between slices of rye bread until it reaches peak gooeyness. It’s a meal that demands an answer: what do you serve with this salty, tangy, and utterly decadent creation? The right sidekick can elevate your Reuben from a great lunch to a legendary experience.

The Classic Counterbalance: The Pickle

Let’s start with the non-negotiable: a dill pickle spear. That cold, briny crunch is not just a garnish; it’s a palate reset button. After a rich, fatty bite of corned beef and melted cheese, the sharp vinegar cuts through and prepares you for the next round.

Go for a half-sour pickle if you want a gentler, fresher crunch. A full-sour offers a more aggressive tang that stands up to the Thousand Island-style dressing. Either way, it’s a move of pure, unspoken genius.

The Fries Debate: A Matter of Texture

Look, French fries are the default side for a reason. But not all fries are created equal when paired with a Reuben. Skinny, shoestring fries get lost; you need something with heft, like thick-cut steak fries or crunchy waffle fries. They provide a neutral, salty vessel that soaks up any stray dressing or kraut juice.

Fun fact: In the 1920s, the Reuben was supposedly invented during a poker game at the Blackstone Hotel in Omaha. The players likely needed something sturdy to dip into ketchup while they held their cards. Keep your dipping sauces simple—ketchup is fine, but a side of extra Russian dressing is a power move.

The Controversial Upgrade: Potato Chips

If you’re eating a Reuben on the go, potato chips are your best friend. They bring the same salty crunch as fries but with zero prep time. Choose a kettle-cooked chip for extra rigidity; they won’t shatter under the pressure of that thick rye bread.

Oddly perfect: a handful of salt and vinegar chips. The vinegary kick echoes the sauerkraut without competing with it. It’s a flavor echo, not a battle.

Reuben Sandwich Recipe

Soup and Salad: The Grown-Up Options

Want to feel like a responsible adult while eating a sandwich that’s basically a hug of meat and cheese? Pair it with matzo ball soup or a classic tomato soup—not the watery canned kind, but a creamy, roasted version. The acidity of the tomatoes cuts through the fat of the corned beef.

For a salad, think crunchy slaw or a wedge salad with blue cheese. Avoid anything with a heavy vinaigrette; you don’t need more acidity. A simple iceberg wedge with crispy bacon adds a cold, crisp contrast to the hot, melty sandwich.

Drinks That Deserve the Pairing

What you drink with a Reuben is almost as important as what you eat. A crisp lager or a pilsner is the classic choice. The light carbonation scrubs your palate clean between bites. For a non-alcoholic option, try a black and white soda—like a vanilla coke or a root beer—that mirrors the sandwich's creamy, savory notes.

And here’s a tip from a bartender friend: a dirty martini with extra olive brine is a surprisingly brilliant match. The salinity of the olives amplifies the corned beef’s umami. Bold move. It works.

The Cultural Side Quest: Kosher Origins

The Reuben has a bit of an identity crisis: was it invented in Omaha, or by a New York deli owner named Reuben Kulakofsky? The debate rages on. What’s not debated is that the sandwich became a staple of Jewish deli culture. So if you’re feeling traditional, add a side of coleslaw—specifically the creamy, cabbage-heavy kind—to pay homage to that deli counter lineage.

Reuben Corned Beef Grilled Reuben Supreme

Fun fact: Russian dressing, despite its name, has no real roots in Russia. It was likely created in New Hampshire by a grocer looking to sell more bottled salad dressing. The takeaway? Authenticity is overrated. Taste is real.

When to Go Bold: Sweet and Spicy

Feeling adventurous? Swap the standard rye for marble rye and serve a side of sweet potato fries with a chipotle mayo dip. The sweetness plays against the salty corned beef in a way that feels like a culinary wink. For a spicy kick, pair the whole thing with a side of pickled jalapeños or a creamy sriracha slaw.

Just be warned: this combination turns a casual meal into a full-on flavor event. Your taste buds will need a moment to recover.

Final Thought: The Reuben Is a Mood

A Reuben somehow captures a moment when you need comfort, salt, and a little chaos. It’s not a delicate sandwich; it’s loud, messy, and full of contradictions—like most good days. The perfect side isn’t about rules; it’s about what makes you smile halfway through when you’ve got kraut juice running down your wrist.

So whether you choose classic pickles, a mountain of fries, or a weirdly satisfying side of sweet potato chips, remember: the best accompaniment is a little bit of hunger and a lot of presence. Life’s too short for boring sandwich mechanics.