Hearty Reuben Salad

Hearty Reuben Salad Recipe with Swiss Cheese and Corned Beef

Region / culture: Canada, Switzerland | Preparation time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 0 minutes | Servings: 4

Introduction

This Hearty Reuben Salad is a delicious twist on the classic Reuben sandwich, combining all the flavors of corned beef, sauerkraut, swiss cheese, and Thousand Islands dressing in a fresh and satisfying salad.

History

The Reuben sandwich is said to have originated in the early 20th century, with various stories claiming its creation in different cities across the United States. This salad takes inspiration from the classic sandwich, offering a lighter and healthier alternative.

Ingredients

4 cups torn iceberg lettuce
16 oz (454 g) rinsed and drained sauerkraut
1 cup cubed swiss cheese
2 x 2.5 oz (71 g) each, chopped corned beef
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
0.25 to 0.5 cup Thousand Islands salad dressing
0.5 cup rye croutons
4 hard-boiled eggs, quartered

How to prepare

In a large salad bowl or shallow platter, toss together lettuce, sauerkraut, cheese, corned beef, and parsley.
Drizzle the mixture with dressing.
Garnish the salad with croutons and eggs. Serve immediately.

Variations

Add chopped pickles or cherry tomatoes for extra flavor and freshness.
Use Russian dressing instead of Thousand Islands for a tangier flavor.
Substitute pastrami or turkey for the corned beef for a different twist.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to drain the sauerkraut well before adding it to the salad to prevent the salad from becoming too soggy.

- For a vegetarian version, you can substitute the corned beef with sliced mushrooms or tempeh.

- Feel free to customize the salad with your favorite toppings, such as cherry tomatoes, avocado, or pickles.

Serving Suggestions

This salad can be served as a light lunch or dinner on its own, or as a side dish alongside a bowl of soup or sandwich.

Cooking Techniques

The key to making this salad is to ensure that all the ingredients are well-drained and chopped into bite-sized pieces for easy eating.

Ingredient Substitutions

Feel free to customize this salad with your favorite ingredients. You can substitute the swiss cheese with cheddar or provolone, or use a different type of deli meat in place of the corned beef.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the components of this salad ahead of time and assemble it just before serving to keep the ingredients fresh and crisp.

Presentation Ideas

Serve this salad in a large salad bowl or on a platter for a beautiful presentation. Garnish with fresh parsley or additional croutons for a finishing touch.

Pairing Recommendations

This Hearty Reuben Salad pairs well with a glass of cold beer or a crisp white wine. It also goes well with a side of rye bread or crackers.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

This salad is best enjoyed fresh, but any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Be sure to store the dressing separately and add it just before serving to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of this Hearty Reuben Salad contains approximately 400 calories.

Carbohydrates

This salad is relatively low in carbohydrates, with most of the carbs coming from the sauerkraut and croutons. Each serving contains approximately 15 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

The main sources of fat in this salad are the swiss cheese and Thousand Islands dressing. Each serving contains around 20 grams of fat.

Proteins

The protein in this salad comes from the corned beef, swiss cheese, and hard-boiled eggs. Each serving provides approximately 25 grams of protein.

Vitamins and minerals

This salad is a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron. The sauerkraut also provides beneficial probiotics for gut health.

Alergens

This recipe contains dairy (swiss cheese), eggs, and gluten (croutons). It may also contain soy and fish (in the Thousand Islands dressing). Please check for allergens in the specific brands of ingredients you use.

Summary

Overall, this Hearty Reuben Salad is a balanced meal that provides a good mix of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. It is a satisfying and flavorful dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or side dish.

Summary

This Hearty Reuben Salad is a delicious and satisfying dish that combines all the flavors of a classic Reuben sandwich in a fresh and healthy salad. With a mix of crunchy lettuce, tangy sauerkraut, savory corned beef, and creamy swiss cheese, this salad is sure to become a new favorite. Enjoy it for lunch, dinner, or as a side dish for a complete meal.

How did I get this recipe?

The moment I found this recipe is etched in my memory. It was a warm summer day, and I was rummaging through an old recipe box that belonged to my dear friend, Mrs. Jenkins. She had passed away recently, and her family had given me the box as a token of remembrance. As I flipped through the yellowed index cards, I stumbled upon a recipe for Hearty Reuben Salad.

I had never heard of such a dish before, but the ingredients intrigued me. Corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing all combined in a salad? It sounded like a unique and delicious creation. Mrs. Jenkins had always been known for her inventive recipes, so I knew I had to give this one a try.

I remembered Mrs. Jenkins telling me about the time she learned to make the Hearty Reuben Salad. It was during a trip to New York City many years ago. She had stumbled upon a small deli in the heart of Manhattan that served the most amazing Reuben sandwiches. Intrigued by the flavors, Mrs. Jenkins struck up a conversation with the deli owner, who was kind enough to share his recipe for a Reuben-inspired salad.

I was excited to recreate Mrs. Jenkins' experience in my own kitchen. I gathered the ingredients and set to work. The first step was to cook the corned beef until it was tender and juicy. The smell of the meat roasting in the oven filled the house, bringing back memories of Sunday dinners with my family.

Next, I drained and rinsed the sauerkraut, squeezing out as much liquid as possible. I knew that the tangy flavor of the sauerkraut would be a perfect contrast to the richness of the corned beef. I grated the Swiss cheese and prepared the Thousand Island dressing from scratch, blending together mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, and a squeeze of lemon juice.

As I assembled the salad, layering the corned beef, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese on a bed of crisp lettuce, I couldn't help but feel a sense of joy and accomplishment. Mrs. Jenkins had always been my inspiration in the kitchen, and I knew she would have been proud of me for trying something new and daring.

When the salad was finally complete, I took a bite and closed my eyes, savoring the flavors that melded together perfectly. The salty corned beef, the tangy sauerkraut, the creamy Swiss cheese, and the zesty Thousand Island dressing all came together in a harmonious symphony of tastes and textures.

I couldn't wait to share this recipe with my family and friends. I knew that they would love it as much as I did. And as I sat down to enjoy my Hearty Reuben Salad, I felt grateful for the memories of Mrs. Jenkins and the legacy of delicious recipes that she had left behind.

In that moment, I realized that cooking was not just about following instructions or mastering techniques. It was about creativity, passion, and the joy of sharing good food with the ones we love. Mrs. Jenkins had taught me that, and I would always be grateful for her guidance and inspiration in the kitchen.