Reuben in a Bowl Recipe

This low-carb Reuben in a Bowl is packed with all the deliciousness of the classic sandwich, and it comes together in less than 30 minutes! With hearty corned beef, fresh cabbage, tangy sauerkraut, melty Swiss cheese, and rich Thousand Island dressing, this easy weeknight dish will satisfy everyone at the table!

Jump to:

• Reuben in a Bowl Recipe
• Table of Contents
• The Secret Ingredient
• Ingredients You’ll Need
• How to Make a Reuben in a Bowl
• Thousand Island Dressing
• Meal Prep and Storage Instructions
• FAQs
• More Dinner-in-a-Bowl Recipes
• Reuben in a Bowl Recipe
• Ingredients
• For the Reuben in a Bowl
• For the Thousand Island Dressing
• Instructions
• More Easy Main Dishes Recipes:
• 📖 Recipe Card

Table of Contents

• The Secret Ingredient
• Ingredients You’ll Need
• How to Make a Reuben in a Bowl
• Meal Prep and Storage Instructions
• FAQs
• More Dinner-in-a-Bowl Recipes
• Reuben in a Bowl Recipe

If you’ve been following along on my blog, you know I’m all about putting a creative spin on classic recipes—especially when I can make them healthier without compromising flavor.

Drawing inspiration from my popular Egg Roll in a Bowl, I’ve transformed the classic Reuben sandwich into a delightful one-skillet meal: the Reuben in a Bowl. (Be sure to check out my Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls and Spring Roll in a Bowl too!)

This dish combines all the ingredients you love—corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and that classic rye bread taste—into a quick, low-carb meal that’s perfect for keto dieters as well. The cabbage acts as a fantastic base, absorbing all those savory flavors, while a drizzle of Thousand Island dressing elevates it even more. (Trust me, you won’t even miss the bread!)

With the convenience of pre-packaged coleslaw mix, you can have this recipe ready in under 30 minutes, making it a fantastic option for busy weeknights. I promise you’ll want this keto Reuben in your weekly meal plan!

The Secret Ingredient

To truly elevate this dish, caraway seeds are essential! These petite yet powerful seeds enhance the characteristic flavor of rye bread, making this dish an ultimate weeknight winner! If you can find them, definitely use them for a flavor boost.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a rundown of what you’ll need for the Reuben in a Bowl recipe. Jump directly to the recipe for precise measurements.

• Coleslaw Mix: Use two 10-ounce bags, ensuring they contain a mix of cabbage and carrots. Alternatively, you can shred your own cabbage and carrots for a fresher option.
• Corned Beef: Purchase sliced corned beef from the deli. Aim for a medium thickness, ideal for cutting into bite-sized pieces. Or make your own Instant Pot Corned Beef for a healthier homemade option. (And don’t forget breakfast! Use any leftovers to whip up Corned Beef Hash and Eggs!)
• Sauerkraut: A Reuben isn’t complete without this tangy addition! Get your favorite store-bought variety or try making your own homemade sauerkraut. Just be sure to drain it thoroughly before adding!
• Swiss Cheese: You can opt for either sliced or shredded Swiss. Mozzarella is an alternative, but it won’t provide the same distinctive tang.
• Caraway Seeds: Just a teaspoon or two is needed, but these tiny seeds deliver significant flavor, evoking that signature rye taste.
• Thousand Island Dressing: While store-bought is an option, making your own Thousand Island dressing at home is a healthier and tastier choice!

How to Make a Reuben in a Bowl

For more specific ingredient quantities, refer to the recipe card below. Jump to the recipe for printable instructions.

Step 1: Cook the Meat
Heat a tablespoon of olive oil (or your preferred oil) in a skillet over medium heat. Add all of the corned beef to the hot pan and cook for about 3-4 minutes until it develops a beautiful, golden-brown crust. Once cooked, remove from the skillet and let it drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

Step 2: Sauté Onion and Garlic
Add another tablespoon of oil to the skillet. Toss in diced onion and sauté for around three minutes until it turns translucent. Then, mix in the minced garlic and caraway seeds, continuing to cook for another minute until the caraway aroma fills the air.

Step 3: Incorporate Cabbage
Next, mix in the coleslaw mix with the onion and garlic. Cook until the slaw is tender yet still crisp, which generally takes about six minutes depending on the cabbage’s thickness. Avoid overcooking or it will turn mushy.

Step 4: Combine the Ingredients
In the skillet, add the sauerkraut, corned beef, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together well. Place the cheese on top of the Reuben mixture, covering with a lid until the cheese melts. Serve the Reuben mixture in bowls, drizzling with Thousand Island dressing, and enjoy!

Thousand Island Dressing

Thousand Island dressing is essential for a classic Reuben. You can easily buy it, but making it at home is usually healthier and tastier. Mix together mayonnaise, sour cream, ketchup, dill relish, minced onion, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and paprika in a medium bowl. Chill in the fridge until ready to serve—it’s best to prepare it in advance so the flavors can meld, ideally up to 24 hours beforehand.

Meal Prep and Storage Instructions

• Prep-Ahead: You can prepare the Thousand Island dressing and corned beef one to two days prior. Chopped onions and cabbage (if not using bagged slaw mix) can be prepped the day before.

• Storage: Keep the dressing and Reuben bowl in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. The bowl will last for up to 4-5 days, while the dressing can last for up to 2 weeks. You can freeze the bowl in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months, but be aware that cabbage may change in texture. Avoid freezing the dressing as it may separate after thawing.

• Reheating: Reheat in a skillet for best results or microwave for 1-2 minutes until warmed through.

FAQs

Can I substitute the corned beef with something else?
Absolutely! Pastrami or any other cut of beef like flank steak works well. You can also use sliced turkey, ham, or chicken.

What gives rye bread its unique flavor?
Caraway seeds are the secret behind rye bread’s distinctive taste.

How is corned beef prepared?
Corned beef is made by brining beef brisket. Cooking it low and slow is the best method to ensure a tender texture.

More Dinner-in-a-Bowl Recipes

This Reuben in a Bowl is not only delicious but also low in carbs! Check out these other healthy dinner ideas to enhance your week:

• Egg Roll in a Bowl
• Harvest Bowl
• Burger Bowls with Secret Sauce
• Greek Ground Turkey Rice Bowl
• Spring Roll in a Bowl
• Teriyaki Salmon Rice Bowl
• Korean Ground Beef Bowls

Reuben in a Bowl Recipe

Ingredients

For the Reuben in a Bowl

• ¾ pound thickly sliced deli corned beef
• 3 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
• 1 small sweet onion (diced)
• 2 garlic cloves (finely minced)
• 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
• 2 (10-ounce) packages coleslaw mix
• 1 cup drained sauerkraut
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 4 ounces sliced Swiss cheese
• Green onions (green parts only, thinly sliced, for serving)

For the Thousand Island Dressing

• ⅓ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 tablespoon dill relish
• 1 tablespoon minced sweet onion
• ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 garlic clove (finely minced)
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• Salt (optional)

Instructions

1. For the Reuben in a Bowl: Cut the corned beef into ½-inch cubes.

2. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the corned beef and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate once lightly browned.

3. Add another tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet along with the onion. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the onion is translucent. Stir in the garlic and caraway seeds, cooking for an additional minute.

4. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and the coleslaw mix. Stir together and cook until tender yet crisp, which takes about 6-8 minutes.

5. Mix in the sauerkraut, corned beef, salt, and black pepper. Top with Swiss cheese, reduce heat to low, and cook until melted, about 3-4 minutes.

6. Thousand Island Dressing: Combine all the dressing ingredients in a bowl and season with salt to taste.

7. Serve the warm Reuben mixture in bowls, topped with Thousand Island dressing and green onions.

Enjoy this hearty and flavorful Reuben in a Bowl, perfect for a quick weeknight meal!

More Easy Main Dishes Recipes:

• Blackened Chicken Rigatoni
• Dill Pickle Ranch Chicken Skewers
• Dill Pickle Parmesan Chicken
• Marry Me Chicken Meatball Orzo

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