Guilt-Free Grilled Reuben: You’ll love it!

ByNancy Fox on
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe Download PDF
This is my all-time favorite sandwich, and I've given it a delicious skinny makeover! Imagine crispy grilled rye bread piled with lean pastrami or corned beef, melted Swiss cheese, tangy sauerkraut, and homemade Thousand Island dressing. Every bite is fantastic! And here's the best part—each hearty sandwich has just 373 calories and 12g fat! All the classic Reuben flavors you love, Skinnyfied!®

Why You’ll Love My Skinny Grilled Reuben Sandwich

  • All the classic flavors: Toasted rye bread, melted Swiss cheese, savory pastrami, tangy sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing.
  • Lighter but satisfying: Just 373 calories and 12g fat per hearty sandwich.
  • Quick and easy: Ready in about 16 minutes!
  • Homemade dressing: A delicious, lighter Thousand Island dressing makes this sandwich extra special.
  • Perfect for lunch or dinner: Serve with pickles, crunchy veggies, or your favorite light side dish.

Helpful Tips About this Recipe

Makes 4 grilled Reuben sandwiches
Shopping Tips
I like using very lean pastrami from Trader Joe's, but turkey pastrami or lean corned beef also works beautifully. Look for reduced-fat Swiss or Jarlsberg cheese to keep the sandwich lighter.
Cooking Tips
Drain and rinse the sauerkraut, then squeeze out excess moisture so your sandwich doesn't become soggy. Grill over medium heat until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Make It Vegetarian
Substitute your favorite meatless deli slices for the pastrami.
Sodium Note
This sandwich contains 977mg sodium per serving, so it may not be suitable for anyone following a low-sodium diet.

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!

5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Download PDF Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 16 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 373 kcal

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: 10
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!
author avatar
Nancy Fox
See Full Bio
5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




10 Comments

  1. 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

  6. Is ok to use sweet pickled relish instead of plain pickled relish for the sauce? That’s all I have on hand..

  7. 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

  8. Love a Ruben! Do you think I could make these ahead so they are grab and go type item?