Vegetarian Reuben Sandwich Virgin Reuben

Elevate your sandwich game with this Vegetarian Reuben Sandwich, fondly named the 'Virgin Reuben.' Packed with bold flavors and wholesome ingredients, this plant-based twist on the classic deli favorite features smoky marinated tempeh in place of corned beef. Layered on hearty rye bread, the tempeh pairs beautifully with tangy sauerkraut, melty Swiss cheese, and a zesty homemade Russian dressing. Each bite delivers a perfect balance of smoky, savory, and tangy notes. Quick to prepare in just 30 minutes, this vegetarian sandwich is pan-grilled to golden perfection and makes a satisfying lunch or dinner for two. Serve it warm with optional dill pickles on the side for that authentic deli vibe. Perfect for meatless Mondays or any day you crave a guilt-free comfort food experience!

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 8 ounces Tempeh
• 3 tablespoons Soy sauce or tamari
• 2 tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 4 slices Rye bread
• 4 slices Swiss cheese
• 0.75 cup Sauerkraut
• 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 0.25 cup Mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons Ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Sweet pickle relish
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (vegetarian or regular)
• 0 optional Dill pickle slices (optional, for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Slice the tempeh into thin strips and place them in a shallow dish.

Step 2

In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Pour the marinade over the tempeh, ensuring all pieces are coated. Let marinate for 15 minutes.

Step 3

Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the marinated tempeh and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, until lightly browned. Set aside.

Step 4

In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, and Worcestershire sauce to make the Russian dressing. Set aside.

Step 5

Butter one side of each slice of rye bread. Spread a generous amount of the Russian dressing on the unbuttered side of two slices.

Step 6

Layer the cooked tempeh, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese on top of the dressed side of two slices of bread. Top each with the remaining bread slices, buttered side facing out.

Step 7

Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place the sandwiches in the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, pressing lightly with a spatula, until the bread is golden brown and crispy and the cheese has melted.

Step 8

Slice the sandwiches in half and serve warm, optionally with dill pickle slices on the side.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(817.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1760.6

Total Fat 106.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 31.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.7g
Cholesterol 164.2mg	0%
Sodium 5499.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 118.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.9g	0%
Total Sugars 18.4g
Protein 96.1g	0%

Vitamin D 8.7IU	0%
Calcium 1442.4mg	0%
Iron 11.7mg	0%
Potassium 1847.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 52.6%

Protein: 21.2%

Carbs: 26.1%