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Reuben Sliders with Smoky Russian dressing

Reuben Sliders with Smoky Russian Dressing

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 12 sliders (serves 4-6)

Equipment

  • Baking dish or sheet pan A 9x13-inch baking dish works perfectly for assembling and baking the sliders. If you're doubling the recipe, use a sheet pan.
  • Mixing bowl For the russian dressing.
  • Pastry Brush To brush melted butter onto the tops of the buns.
  • Knife or bread knife For slicing the slider buns as a group.
  • Foil For tenting the sliders while they bake (to avoid over-toasting).

Ingredients
  

For the Sliders

  • 12 slider buns Hawaiian rolls work beautifully, but any soft dinner roll will do
  • ¾ lb sliced corned beef thinly sliced, deli-style
  • ½ lb sliced Swiss cheese
  • 1 cup sauerkraut well-drained and lightly squeezed dry
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted (for brushing the buns)
  • 1 teaspoon caraway seeds optional, for extra rye-bread flavor

For the Smoky Russian Dressing

  • This creamy sauce is the game-changer—think of it as a punchy cousin of the russian salad dressing often found in homemade reuben sandwiches.
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 3 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish drained
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 small garlic clove minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

Step 1: Make the Smoky Russian Dressing

  1. Start by preparing the reuben sandwich sauce. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, smoked paprika, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and garlic. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  2. This homemade russian dressing is smoky, tangy, and has just the right amount of bite. If you’re making extra for later, store it in an airtight container in the fridge—it’s also excellent on burgers and even grilled chicken.

Step 2: Preheat and Prepare

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Using a sharp serrated knife, slice the entire block of slider buns horizontally—don’t separate the rolls yet. You’ll have a top slab and a bottom slab. Place the bottom slab in your baking dish.

Step 3: Layer the Good Stuff

  1. Spread a generous amount of smoky russian dressing across the bottom buns. Lay down an even layer of corned beef (or turkey if you're going for a turkey reuben sandwich variation). Top with Swiss cheese, followed by the drained sauerkraut.
  2. Before placing the top buns on, you can spread more dressing on the inside of the top slab if you’re a sauce-lover.

Step 4: Toast to Perfection

  1. Put the top buns in place and brush them with melted butter. Sprinkle with caraway seeds if desired—this little detail gives a nod to the rye bread typically used in a best reuben sandwich.
  2. Tent loosely with foil and bake for 15 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 5 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is melted and gooey.

Step 5: Slice and Serve

  1. Remove from the oven, let cool for a minute or two, then use a knife or spatula to separate into individual sliders. Serve warm with extra russian salad dressing or a side of pickles.