Guilt-Free Grilled Reuben: You’ll love it!
This is my all-time favorite sandwich!!! It’s traditionally made with corned beef or pastrami, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, Thousand Island or Russian dressing, and rye bread all grilled in butter. I know you’re thinking. If you’re trying to trim down, this sandwich would be off-limits, right? Well, guess again. This skinny Reuben has all the delicious taste sensations of its high-fat counterpart but with a fraction of the fat and calories and still amazingly good! Most Reuben sandwiches, like the one at Bennigans, have an astounding 970 calories and 37 grams of fat. My skinny Reuben has 373 calories, 12 grams of fat. So hearty, just a half sandwich is certainly satisfying. This will likely be your most requested sandwich. It is at my house!
Why You’ll Love My Skinny Grilled Reuben Sandwich
A Skinny Grilled Reuben Sandwich offers a satisfying and flavorful experience without the guilt. This lighter version features lean corned beef, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut, all wrapped up in a grilled rye bread. By reducing calories and fat while maintaining the classic Reuben flavors, this sandwich is a perfect choice for those who prioritize health and wellness. It's a delicious and fulfilling meal that allows you to indulge your cravings without compromising your diet goals.Ingredients for Skinny Grilled Reuben Sandwich
A Deeper Dive into the Skinny Grilled Reuben Sandwich IngredientsThousand Island Dressing- The BEST Skinny Ranch Dressing or light mayonnaise: These options provide a creamy base for the dressing while reducing fat and calories.
- Ketchup: Adds a sweet and tangy flavor.
- Pickle relish: Offers a crunchy texture and a sharp, vinegary flavor.
- Yellow or spicy brown mustard: Adds a mustardy flavor and a touch of heat. Spicy brown mustard offers a slightly spicier kick than yellow mustard.
- Paprika: Provides a subtle sweetness and smokiness, enhancing the overall flavor of the dressing.
- Rye bread: A classic choice for Reuben sandwiches, rye bread offers a hearty texture and a slightly nutty flavor.
- Reduced-fat butter or Smart Balance Light: These alternatives provide a spreadable texture and richness without excessive fat.
- Lean pastrami, turkey pastrami, or lean corned beef: Choose a lean cut of meat to reduce calorie and fat content. Pastrami offers a smoky, savory flavor, while corned beef has a more traditional Reuben taste.
- Sauerkraut: A fermented cabbage that adds a tangy, crunchy texture and essential nutrients.
- Reduced-fat Swiss or Jarlsberg cheese: These cheeses offer a creamy, tangy flavor while being lower in fat than full-fat options.
How to Make Skinny Grilled Reuben Sandwich
Key Steps:- Prepare the dressing: Combine all dressing ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until well blended.
- Assemble the sandwiches: Spread butter on one side of each bread slice, layer the dressing, pastrami, sauerkraut, and cheese, then top with another buttered slice.
- Grill the sandwiches: Cook the sandwiches in a nonstick pan over medium-high heat, pressing down to flatten them.
- Dressing: Provides a tangy and flavorful base for the sandwich.
- Rye bread: Offers a hearty texture and a slightly nutty flavor.
- Butter: Helps to grill the bread and add richness.
- Pastrami: Provides a smoky, savory flavor.
- Sauerkraut: Adds a tangy, crunchy texture.
- Cheese: Melts and adds a creamy, tangy flavor.
- Bread options: Experiment with different types of bread, such as whole-wheat rye or sourdough.
- Vegetable additions: Add grilled vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Sauce variations: Experiment with different types of mustard or add a touch of horseradish for a spicier kick.
Helpful Tips About this Recipe
Food Facts
Pastrami was created as a way to preserve meat before modern refrigeration. It’s beef that’s brined, dried, seasoned, smoked, and then steamed. 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 usually 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. If you’re on a low sodium diet however, this sandwich would not be a good choice!
Shopping Tips
I found very lean uncured pastrami containing “no nitrites” at Trader Joe’s. Turkey pastrami also works well for this recipe. Looking for a sandwich maker? Here are two I like:
Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler, Silver, Black Dials
George Foreman GR136B 2-Serving Classic Plate Grill and Pannini Press, Black Vegetarian Tips
Make this grilled sandwich vegetarian by using meatless deli slices from companies such as Yves. Most supermarkets carry several brands in the luncheon meats aisle.
WW Freestyle SmartPoints 10-Blue
WW SmartPoints 10-Green
Pastrami was created as a way to preserve meat before modern refrigeration. It’s beef that’s brined, dried, seasoned, smoked, and then steamed. 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 usually 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. If you’re on a low sodium diet however, this sandwich would not be a good choice!
Shopping Tips
I found very lean uncured pastrami containing “no nitrites” at Trader Joe’s. Turkey pastrami also works well for this recipe. Looking for a sandwich maker? Here are two I like:
Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler, Silver, Black Dials
George Foreman GR136B 2-Serving Classic Plate Grill and Pannini Press, Black Vegetarian Tips
Make this grilled sandwich vegetarian by using meatless deli slices from companies such as Yves. Most supermarkets carry several brands in the luncheon meats aisle.
WW Freestyle SmartPoints 10-Blue
WW SmartPoints 10-Green
| SKINNY FACTS: for 1 skinny Reuben sandwich 373 calories, 12g fat, 4g sat. fat, 37mg chol, 28g protein, 39g carbs, 5g fiber, 977mg sodium, 5g sugar |
Guilt-Free Grilled Reuben: You'll love it!
Ingredients
Ingredients for Thousand Island Dressing:
- ¼ cup The BEST Skinny Ranch Dressing or light mayonnaise, such as Best Foods/Hellman’s
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 2 teaspoons pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon yellow or spicy brown mustard
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
Ingredients for Grilled Sandwiches:
- 8 slices rye bread (I like Oroweat extra sour rye bread)
- 8 teaspoons reduced-fat butter or Smart Balance Light
- 8 ounces lean pastrami or turkey pastrami, or lean corned beef, see shopping tip
- 1⅓ cups sauerkraut, drained and rinsed
- 4 slices reduced-fat Swiss or Jarlsberg cheese
- 2 tablespoons spicy brown or yellow mustard
Instructions
- To make the dressing: In a small bowl mix together all dressing ingredients.
- To assemble: Spread 1 teaspoon butter on each slice of bread. Place 4 slices on your work surface, buttered side down. Spread 1 tablespoon of dressing on each of the 4 slices. Distribute pastrami evenly over dressing, followed by sauerkraut and cheese. Spread inside of the other 4 slices with mustard and place on top, buttered side up.
- Heat a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Put sandwiches in pan (in batches, if necessary), cover, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the undersides are golden brown. Uncover and turn sandwiches with a spatula, pressing firmly to slightly flatten them. Cook for 1-2 minutes more until the undersides are golden brown. Turn sandwiches again, press with the spatula and cook for 30 seconds or until cheese has melted completely.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Serving: 1sandwishCalories: 373kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 28gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 977mgFiber: 5gSugar: 5gBlue Smart Points: 10Green Smart Points: 10Plus Points: 9
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!
Thank you for giving me a Reuben back. These options make it something I can enjoy again.
I hope you thoroughly enjoy it Karen.
My best,
Nancy
Love a Ruben! Do you think I could make these ahead so they are grab and go type item?
Joan, You could easily make these in advance, refrigerate and grill them just before you serve them. That’s the best way.
Enjoy!
My best,
Nancy
Is ok to use sweet pickled relish instead of plain pickled relish for the sauce? That’s all I have on hand..
It’s perfect Wendy…Sweet pickle relish is what I use too!
Enjoy!
My best,
Nancy
These turned out great! Thank you!
Oh good. Thanks so much Gabrielle!
My best,
Nancy
Wonder how this would work making it in an air fryer?
Carol, I think it would work out great. follow the prep instructions. Then, air fry at 380 degrees for about 3-5 minutes for the cheese to melt. Flip over, continue to cook in air fryer for another 3-5 minutes until golden on the outside.
Enjoy!
My best,
Nancy