Numerous vegetarian variations of the Reuben sandwich, which is made with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing on rye bread, have been created. While corned beef has been replaced with tempeh, seitan, veggies, and mushrooms, they are not actually necessary because excessive amounts of the other traditional ingredients already form a punchy, gooey sandwich.
Ingredients
For the “Corned Beef”
- 1 can (14 oz) young jackfruit, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup vegetable broth or water
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Sandwich
- 8 slices rye bread (or your preferred bread)
- 1 cup sauerkraut, drained
- 1/2 cup vegan Thousand Island dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup dairy-free Swiss cheese, shredded
For Grilling
Vegan butter or oil for grilling
Instructions
Prepare the “Corned Beef”
- Shred the jackfruit using your hands or a fork, removing any tough parts.
- In a pan, combine the shredded jackfruit, vegetable broth, soy sauce, liquid smoke (if using), smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
- Cook over medium heat for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the jackfruit is heated through and has absorbed the flavors. You can slightly mash the jackfruit with a fork to achieve a texture similar to shredded meat.
Assemble the Sandwich
- Lay out 4 slices of bread.
- Spread a layer of vegan Thousand Island dressing on each slice.
- Divide the “corned beef” evenly among 4 slices.
- Top the “corned beef” with sauerkraut and shredded vegan Swiss cheese.
Grilling the Sandwich
- Place the remaining 4 slices of bread on top to create sandwiches.
- Heat a pan over medium heat and add vegan butter or oil.
- Place the sandwiches in the pan and grill until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted. You can use a sandwich press if available.
Serve
Remove the sandwiches from the pan and let them cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 400-500 kcal
- Protein: 15-20 g
- Carbohydrates: 45-55 g
- Dietary Fiber: 5-7 g
- Fat: 15-20 g
- Sodium: 1000-1200 mg
