1-First Step: Make the Russian Dressing: Begin by combining all the dressing ingredients in a bowl: 1 tbsp finely minced onion, 1 tbsp finely minced dill pickle, 3/4 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sour cream, 2.5 tbsp sriracha or chili sauce, 3 tsp jarred horseradish, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, and 1/4 tsp sweet paprika. Stir everything until it’s smooth and creamy. Pop it in the fridge for at least 20 minutes to let the flavors mingle this step makes the dressing even tastier and ensures it spreads like a dream on your bread.

2-Second Step: Prepare the Quick Sauerkraut: While the dressing chills, dissolve 2 tsp sugar and 1 tsp salt in 1 1/4 cups cider vinegar. Heat 1 tbsp grapeseed oil in a pot over medium heat, then add 1/2 thinly sliced onion and cook for 2 minutes until it softens keep an eye on it to avoid browning. Toss in 350g thinly shredded white cabbage, the vinegar mixture, 1/3 cup water, and 1 tsp caraway seeds if you’re using them. Stir to combine, cover the pot, and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes, giving it a stir at the 10-minute mark for even cooking.

3-Third Step: Get the Pastrami Ready: Take your 1 kg of homemade pastrami and slice it thinly while it’s cold to keep it from crumbling. Place the slices in a container with 2 tablespoons of reserved pastrami cooking juices. Heat it up in the microwave or oven until it’s warm and juicy this step locks in that authentic, smoky flavor we all crave in a Reuben.

4-Fourth Step: Assemble the Sandwiches: Preheat your grill or broiler to medium-high, positioning the shelf about 25cm from the heat source. Toast 10 slices of light rye bread until they’re golden. Spread butter on each slice, then add 1 tbsp of the Russian dressing on the buttered side. Layer the drained pastrami onto one slice, pile on the drained sauerkraut, and top with a slice of Swiss cheese. Place another slice of cheese on the dressing side of the second bread slice, then grill both halves until the cheese melts and everything is gooey.

5-Fifth Step: Finish and Serve: Once grilled, sandwich the halves together and serve immediately for the best texture and taste. This final touch ensures your Reuben is hot, crispy, and ready to enjoy, serving up to 5 people with ease. For a complete meal, pair it with something light like our roasted tomato basil soup to round out the flavors and make dinner unforgettable.