The Reuben sandwich is a popular deli sandwich that originated in the United States. It is traditionally made with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing on rye bread. The spelling of "Reuben" may seem unusual, but it follows the English language's convention of using the letter "e" after a letter "u" to indicate a long "u" sound. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word "Reuben" is spelled /ˈru.bən/, with the stress on the first syllable.
A Reuben sandwich is a classic American-style sandwich made with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing, served on rye bread. Named after its creator, Arnold Reuben, this deli favorite has become a popular menu item in many restaurants and diners across the United States.
Traditionally, a Reuben sandwich begins with slices of corned beef, a cured and seasoned beef brisket that provides a tender and savory flavor. The corned beef is then topped with a generous layer of sauerkraut, fermented cabbage that adds a tangy and slightly sour taste. Swiss cheese, known for its creamy and nutty flavor, is melted over the sauerkraut to enhance the sandwich's richness.
To complement these ingredients, Russian dressing is spread on the slices of rye bread, a dark and hearty bread with a slightly sour taste that pairs perfectly with the other elements of the sandwich. Russian dressing, a combination of mayonnaise, ketchup, and other flavorings, adds a tangy and creamy element to the Reuben.
These components are assembled into a sandwich and then usually grilled or toasted until the bread is crispy and the cheese has melted. The resulting Reuben sandwich is known for its complex flavor profile, combining the saltiness of the corned beef, the tanginess of the sauerkraut, the creaminess of the Swiss cheese, and the zesty creaminess of the Russian dressing.
The word "Reuben sandwich" is believed to have originated in the United States, specifically in the early 20th century. The etymology of the term is not entirely clear, but there are a few theories.
One theory suggests that the sandwich is named after Reuben Kulakofsky, a Lithuanian-born grocer in Omaha, Nebraska. According to this theory, Reuben Kulakofsky supposedly invented the sandwich in the Blackstone Hotel in Omaha around the year 1925. It is said that he prepared the sandwich for a group of poker players, who enjoyed it so much that they requested it to be added to the hotel menu.
Another theory proposes that the Reuben sandwich was actually created by Arnold Reuben, a German-Jewish immigrant and proprietor of Reuben's Delicatessen in New York City.