Reuben Chop Salad: A Delicious Twist on the Classic Sandwich

Craving the classic Reuben sandwich flavors but looking for a lighter option? Look no further than this delightful Reuben Chop Salad! We’ve taken all the iconic ingredients – crisp romaine lettuce, savory corned beef, nutty Swiss cheese, sweet pickles, tangy Frank’s Mustard Kraut, and crunchy homemade rye croutons – and tossed them in a creamy homemade Thousand Island dressing. It’s a fresh and satisfying way to enjoy the Reuben taste you love, perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, a quick lunch, or any time you need a flavor boost.

Every year when March arrives, our friends at Frank’s Kraut celebrate what they call Reuben Madness Month. It’s a delicious fusion of March Madness excitement and St. Patrick’s Day cheer, all centered around the star of the show: the Reuben sandwich.

This year, we decided to give those classic deli flavors a modern, lighter spin with this Reuben Chop Salad recipe. We’ve combined crisp romaine lettuce with generous cubes of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sweet pickles, and Frank’s Tangy Mustard Kraut. To top it off, we added homemade rye croutons for that authentic Reuben bread flavor and tossed everything in a creamy Thousand Island dressing. The result? All the flavors you adore in a Reuben sandwich, transformed into a convenient and delicious salad.

This Reuben Chop Salad serves four and is ready in just about 15 minutes. This makes it an ideal choice for a quick and satisfying lunch, a simple weeknight dinner, or a festive way to celebrate Reuben season. Get ready to experience the Reuben like never before!

This Reuben Chop Salad recipe is sponsored by Frank’s Kraut. All opinions and my lifelong love for their products are entirely my own.

The Perfect Reuben Chop Salad with Frank’s Kraut

Every single bite of this Reuben Chop Salad delivers the perfect balance of flavors that makes a Reuben so special. You’ll get a delightful mix of tartness, saltiness, satisfying crunch, and just a hint of sweetness. Frank’s Mustard Kraut adds a vibrant zest that complements the rich corned beef and creamy dressing perfectly. If you prefer a more traditional flavor, Frank’s Original Kraut works wonderfully, too. No matter which you choose, this salad offers a simple and satisfying way to relish those bold deli flavors in a light and refreshing dish.

Whether you’re celebrating Reuben Madness Month, searching for a unique and delicious St. Patrick’s Day recipe, or simply craving those classic deli flavors, this Reuben Chop Salad is guaranteed to satisfy your taste buds. It’s a versatile dish that works as a lunch, light dinner, or party appetizer.

Why We Love Frank’s Mustard Kraut

Let’s talk about Frank’s Mustard Kraut! It’s become a staple in my refrigerator, and for good reason. It brings such a vibrant, zippy flavor to dishes. It is an easy way to add something special to everyday meals.

You can see how well it pairs with my Breaded Pork Cutlet recipe and this Bratwurst Slider recipe!

The unique combination of Frank’s classic sauerkraut with a tangy mustard and dill pickle twist sets this kraut apart. This bold flavor makes it the perfect addition to anything inspired by a classic Reuben.

Reuben Chop Salad Ingredients

The complete list of ingredients and detailed instructions can be found in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

• Thousand Island Dressing – The classic creamy dressing that perfectly complements all of the Reuben flavors. Here’s the recipe for my Homemade Thousand Island Dressing.
• Romaine Lettuce – The crisp and refreshing base of the salad. Romaine lettuce is sturdy enough to hold all the hearty toppings and dressing without becoming soggy.
• Corned Beef – Thick-cut deli corned beef is essential for that signature Reuben flavor. Leftover corned beef from a holiday meal is an excellent substitute.
• Swiss Cheese – With its creamy and slightly nutty taste, Swiss cheese pairs perfectly with corned beef and sauerkraut.
• Sweet Pickles – A touch of sweetness balances the salty and tangy elements of the salad. If you prefer a sharper flavor, you can use dill pickles instead.
• Frank’s Tangy Mustard Kraut – This kraut adds a bright, zippy flavor with a hint of mustard that complements the corned beef beautifully. Frank’s OriginalKraut works great as a substitute if you prefer a more classic sauerkraut flavor.
• Rye Croutons – These croutons bring that unmistakable Reuben bread flavor and add a satisfying crunch. Here’s my easy recipe for Homemade Rye Croutons.

Making Your Own Reuben Chop Salad

This Reuben Chop Salad comes together in just a few minutes!

First, place the chopped romaine lettuce into a large serving bowl.

Next, add the cubed corned beef, Swiss cheese, sweet pickles, drained Frank’s Tangy Mustard Kraut, and rye croutons on top of the lettuce.

Drizzle the Thousand Island dressing generously over the top of the salad.

Finally, toss everything together gently until the salad is evenly coated with the dressing, and then serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.

Storage Tips

For the best quality and flavor, it’s recommended to serve this Reuben Chop Salad immediately after tossing it with the dressing.

If you’re planning ahead, you can chop the lettuce and cube the corned beef and cheese in advance. Store these prepared ingredients separately in the refrigerator and assemble the salad just before serving to maintain its freshness.

Once the salad is dressed, leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for approximately one day. Keep in mind that the croutons will lose their crispness over time.

Show the Love: Pin It!

Excited to make this incredible Reuben Chop Salad recipe? Make sure you don’t lose it! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go so you can easily find it later.

Essential Tips for an Amazing Reuben Salad

Here are a few key tips to ensure you make the best corned beef Reuben salad:

• Always drain the sauerkraut well before adding it to the salad. This prevents the dressing from becoming watered down and preserves the salad’s overall flavor.
• When ordering corned beef from your deli, ask for it to be sliced nice and thick. This ensures that the cubes are substantial and provide a heartier bite to the salad. A half-pound slice is ideal.
• To keep the lettuce and croutons crisp, add the dressing to the salad just before serving.

Delicious Tips and Variations

This Reuben Chop Salad is incredibly versatile and can be easily customized to suit your preferences and available ingredients.

• To enhance the rye bread flavor, try sprinkling a pinch of caraway seeds over the salad. This subtle addition brings out the authentic deli-style taste of a Reuben.
• Russian dressing can be easily substituted for Thousand Island dressing. The two are very similar, so you shouldn’t notice much of a change.
• For a unique twist, swap the corned beef for pastrami. Pastrami adds a slightly smoky flavor that complements the sauerkraut and Swiss cheese beautifully.
• While romaine lettuce provides the best crispness, other lettuce varieties can also be used. Iceberg, chopped green leaf, or a romaine-and-iceberg mix will all provide a similar crunchy texture.
• If you’re short on time, replace homemade croutons with rye bagel chips. They offer the same toasty rye flavor and make the salad even quicker to prepare.

Did you know that the traditional Reuben sandwich originated in my very own hometown of Omaha? It remains one of the best flavor combinations ever created. Imagine: corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and creamy dressing piled high on rye bread and toasted until warm and melty. There’s a reason it’s a classic.

Right alongside it is the Rachel, the turkey version of the Reuben. This delicious sandwich replaces the corned beef with oven-roasted turkey while retaining all the other classic Reuben flavors.

Let’s Reubenize It!

Once you begin thinking about the core Reuben ingredients, it becomes easy to imagine all the exciting ways they can come together in unique recipes.

Beyond sandwiches, those classic Reuben flavors can enhance a wide range of dishes. Corned beef, rye, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and tangy dressing transform familiar comfort foods into something extraordinary. Over the years, I’ve incorporated these ingredients into everything from comforting soups to hearty casseroles and many game day favorites. Some notable recipes include Cream of Reuben Soup (pictured above), Reuben Meatloaf, Reuben Pot Pies, Reuben Mac and Cheese, Reuben Burgers, Reuben Pizza, Reuben Stuffed Baked Potatoes, and Reuben Nachos. These dishes illustrate that once you start “Reubenizing” recipes, the possibilities are endless.

If you’re ready to fully “Reubenize” your menu, you can explore all of my Reuben-inspired recipes here. Or, check out all of my sauerkraut recipes in this section here. Over the past decade, Frank’s Kraut and I have created a multitude of amazing recipes together!

Still hungry for more? Find countless sauerkraut recipes at FranksKraut.com and follow them on social media for even more delicious inspiration: Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Reuben Madness Month celebrates the bold and beloved deli flavors that define the Reuben sandwich. This Reuben Chop Salad captures these flavors in a fresh and lighter format. Every bite, packed with corned beef, Swiss cheese, and the vibrant tang of Frank’s Mustard Kraut, mirrors the taste of your favorite deli sandwich. Let’s dive into the recipe!