Name: Easy, Mini Reuben Appetizers: Low Calorie and Fantastic!
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 23 min
Ingredients: ⅓ cup Best Skinny Ranch (3-Ingredients); 2 tablespoons chili sauce or ketchup; 2 teaspoons pickle relish; 1 teaspoon mustard; ¼ teaspoon paprika; 1 cocktail loaf of rye bread; 1 (16 oz.) can sauerkraut, (drained); ½ pound lean pastrami or turkey pastrami, (thinly sliced and quartered (see shopping tip)); 6 slices reduced-fat Swiss cheese, (cut into fourths); Mustard for dipping, (optional)

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Here’s a classic deli sandwich turned into a bite-sized appetizer. I love serving these whenever I’m having company over or even as a fun lunch. They would be terrific to serve while watching football, too! These little gems are so delicious and simple to make. You can prep them in advance and pop them in the oven, just before serving. Each skinny, mini appetizer is only 61 calories and 2 grams of fat. Get ready for rave reviews. Everyone loves them!

Skinny Mini Reuben Appetizers, Low Calorie and Delectable

Why You'll Love My Easy, Mini Reuben Appetizers: Low Calorie and Fantastic!

Craving the classic Reuben sandwich but looking for a lighter, more manageable option? These Easy, Mini Reuben Appetizers are the perfect solution! These bite-sized delights offer all the flavor of a traditional Reuben – tangy sauerkraut, savory corned beef, and melty Swiss cheese – in a convenient and low-calorie package. Perfect for parties, game days, or a quick and satisfying snack, these mini appetizers are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients For My Easy, Mini Reuben Appetizers

Thousand Island Dressing:

- Best Skinny Ranch (or Reduced-Fat Mayonnaise): This is the foundation of our dressing, providing a creamy base with a touch of tang. "Best Skinny Ranch" is a popular brand known for its reduced-calorie and reduced-fat content, making it a healthier option for those watching their waistlines. If you prefer, you can use reduced-fat mayonnaise, which will offer a similar creamy texture.
- Chili Sauce or Ketchup: This adds a touch of sweetness and a subtle heat to balance the tangy flavors. Chili sauce offers a slightly spicier kick, while ketchup provides a milder sweetness. Choose your preferred option based on your desired level of heat.
- Pickle Relish: This brings a burst of tangy, briny flavor and adds a delightful crunch from the finely chopped pickles. Pickle relish is a key ingredient in traditional Thousand Island dressing and adds a classic touch to this recipe.
- Mustard: A touch of mustard adds a pungent, savory note that complements the other flavors in the dressing. Dijon mustard, with its slightly tangy and slightly spicy flavor, can be a particularly good choice for this recipe.
- Paprika: This adds a subtle smokiness and a vibrant red color to the dressing. Paprika also adds a touch of warmth and complexity to the overall flavor profile.

Reuben Ingredients:

- - Rye Bread: The classic choice for a Reuben, rye bread offers a slightly sweet and slightly sour flavor that provides a perfect contrast to the savory flavors of the pastrami and tangy sauerkraut. Using a cocktail loaf of rye bread allows for easy cutting into bite-sized pieces, making them perfect for appetizers.
  - Sauerkraut: This tangy and slightly acidic fermented cabbage is a cornerstone of any Reuben. It adds a refreshing crunch and a distinctive flavor that balances the richness of the pastrami and cheese. Look for high-quality sauerkraut with a good balance of tanginess and acidity.
  - Lean Pastrami or Turkey Pastrami: Pastrami, with its smoky, savory flavor, is a quintessential ingredient in a Reuben. However, opting for lean pastrami or turkey pastrami helps to reduce the fat and calorie content while still delivering a satisfying flavor.
  - Reduced-Fat Swiss Cheese: Swiss cheese melts beautifully and adds a creamy, nutty flavor to the Reuben. Using reduced-fat Swiss cheese helps to keep the calorie count low while still enjoying the melty goodness.
  - Mustard (Optional): While not strictly necessary, a touch of mustard on the bread adds a pungent, savory flavor that enhances the overall taste of the Reuben. Dijon mustard or a spicy brown mustard can be excellent choices.

By carefully selecting these high-quality ingredients, you can create a delicious and satisfying Reuben appetizer that is both flavorful and mindful of your health goals.

Crafting Mini Reuben Appetizers: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to impress your guests with these delicious and easy-to-make Mini Reuben Appetizers? Let's dive into the simple steps to create these bite-sized delights:

1. Prepare the Thousand Island Dressing:

Combine Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the Thousand Island dressing: Best Skinny Ranch (or reduced-fat mayonnaise), chili sauce (or ketchup), pickle relish, mustard, and paprika. This creates the tangy and flavorful base for your Reuben appetizers.

2. Assemble the Mini Reubens:

Prepare the Baking Sheet: For easy cleanup, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. This makes it a breeze to remove any spills or residue after baking.
Arrange the Bread: Place 24 pieces of cocktail rye bread on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer, ensuring they are evenly spaced.
Spread the Dressing: Generously spread 1 teaspoon of the prepared Thousand Island dressing on each piece of rye bread.
Layer the Pastrami: Top each piece of bread with one piece of thinly sliced pastrami.
Add the Sauerkraut: Add approximately 1 tablespoon of drained sauerkraut on top of the pastrami.
Drizzle with More Dressing: Add a small amount of additional Thousand Island dressing on top of the sauerkraut for an extra layer of flavor.
Top with Cheese: Place one piece of reduced-fat Swiss cheese on top of each mini Reuben.

3. Bake to Perfection:

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure even baking.
Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 8 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve Immediately: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the mini Reubens cool slightly before serving.

Serving Suggestions:

Present with Mustard: Arrange the finished mini Reubens on a serving platter and offer a side dish of Dijon mustard or your preferred mustard for dipping, allowing guests to customize the flavor.
Serve Warm: Serve these appetizers warm for the best flavor and texture.
Perfect for Parties: These mini Reubens are ideal for parties, game days, or any occasion where you want to offer a delicious and crowd-pleasing appetizer.

By following these simple steps, you can create a batch of irresistible Mini Reuben Appetizers that are sure to be a hit with your guests. Enjoy the delicious flavors and the ease of this delightful recipe!

Tips for Success:

Use High-Quality Ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will significantly impact the flavor of your mini Reubens. Opt for high-quality pastrami, flavorful rye bread, and the best sauerkraut you can find.
Adjust Baking Time: Monitor the baking process closely, as oven temperatures can vary. Adjust the baking time as needed to ensure the cheese is perfectly melted and bubbly.
Make Ahead: You can assemble the mini Reubens ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until you're ready to bake. This can be a great time-saver for busy party planners.

With these tips and this easy-to-follow guide, you're well on your way to creating a batch of Mini Reuben Appetizers that are both delicious and impressive. Enjoy the process and savor the delicious results!

Helpful Tips About this Recipe

Makes 24 appetizers

Food Facts
Depending on who you talk to, the Reuben was invented in the early 1900s’ either at Reuben’s Delicatessen in New York City or by Reuben Kay at a hotel in Nebraska during a weekly poker game.

Sauerkraut is made by combining shredded cabbage, salt and sometimes spices and allowing the mixture to ferment.

Healthy Benefits
Sauerkraut is an excellent source of vitamin C as well as some of the B vitamins. It does contain lots of sodium but you can greatly reduce it by rinsing under water before using.

Shopping Tips
I found very lean uncured pastrami containing “no nitrites” at Trader Joe’s. You could also use turkey pastrami.

Most supermarkets sell cocktail rye bread. It’s usually found in the fresh deli section. You can also use regular rye bread. Just cut 6 pieces into quarters before you assemble each sandwich.

Sargento and Alpine make reduced-fat Swiss Cheese. Most supermarket’s carry this type of cheese along with Trader Joe’s. If you can’t find it, substitute reduced-fat Jarlsberg, mozzarella, or provolone cheese.

Serving Tip
Most people will want to eat 2-3 appetizers. This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled.

SKINNY FACTS: for 1 appetizer
61 calories, 2g fat, 5g protein, 5g carbs, 1g fiber, 303mg sodium, 2g sugar

Skinny Thousand Island Dressing

Thousand Island was extremely popular in the 1950’s. After you try this coral colored dressing you will quickly see why it has remained popular even today.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup Best Skinny Ranch Dressing or reduced-fat mayonnaise

¼ cup chili sauce

1 tablespoon sweet relish

1 teaspoon yellow mustard

½ teaspoon paprika

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, whisk together all the ingredients until well blended.

2. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

3. You’ll only need about half the recipe for the mini Reuben appetizers. Thousand Island dressing will keep in the fridge for 2 weeks. See serving tip for other uses.

Makes 1¼ cups

Food Fact

This recipe seems to have come from the Thousand Islands region in upstate New York and Canada that borders Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. The dressing contains chunky ingredients that resemble thousands of tiny islands.

Serving Tip

Try this dressing on our recipe for Fiesta Salad. You can use it as a spread for sandwiches, burgers and as a dip for raw veggies or shrimp.

SKINNY FACTS: for 2 tablespoons dressing
43 cal, 2.9 g fat, 1g protein, 4g carbs, 1g fiber, 171mg sodium, 2g sugar

FAT FACTS: for 2 tablespoons of regular dressing
140 calories, 13g fat, 0g protein, 4g carbs, 0g fiber, 3oomg sodium, 3g sugar