If you’re craving a sandwich that’s packed with flavor but in an easy, party-ready bite, then you have to try this Baked Reuben Sliders Recipe. I absolutely love how these sliders capture everything you adore about a classic Reuben—tangy sauerkraut, melty Swiss cheese, and that creamy thousand island dressing—but miniaturized into soft, buttery rolls. Whether you’re hosting a game day, a casual get-together, or just want a fun dinner idea, these sliders come together so effortlessly and deliver maximum flavor. Trust me, once you try them, they’ll be your new go-to crowd-pleaser!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: Prep takes minutes with minimal steps, perfect for busy days or last-minute guests.
- Classic Flavors in Mini Form: All the delicious Reuben ingredients are packed into bite-sized sliders everyone loves.
- Great for Entertaining: This recipe serves a crowd and keeps things neat—less mess, more fun at your party.
- Versatile and Customizable: You can easily swap meats, cheeses, or toppings to suit your family’s taste.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together like the ultimate flavor team. Make sure you get good-quality rolls and nice thinly sliced deli meat; it makes all the difference for the texture and taste. I always drain the sauerkraut really well so my sliders don’t turn soggy—trust me, it’s a game changer!
- Dinner rolls or Hawaiian rolls: Soft rolls that hold together well and soak up the sauces without falling apart.
- Thousand island dressing: This creamy, tangy dressing is the soul of a Reuben—don’t skip it!
- Corned beef or pastrami: Thinly sliced deli meat adds that classic savory punch; choose your favorite or mix both.
- Swiss cheese: Melts beautifully and brings a mild nuttiness that pairs perfectly with the sauerkraut.
- Sauerkraut: Drained thoroughly to keep sliders from becoming soggy but still adds that signature tang.
- Butter: Melted and mixed with spices to brush on top for a golden, flavorful crust.
- Poppy seeds, dried minced onion, caraway seeds, salt: These seasonings elevate the top crust with extra flavor and texture.
Variations
I love how flexible this Baked Reuben Sliders Recipe is because you can make it your own based on what you have or your family’s preferences. Don’t hesitate to try swapping out certain ingredients or adding your twist—just make sure to keep the balance of flavors you love!
- Use turkey or roast beef instead: When I’ve run out of corned beef, I use thinly sliced turkey, and it’s surprisingly delicious, lighter but still flavorful.
- Swap Swiss for provolone or mozzarella: I tried this once when I was out of Swiss cheese, and the gooey texture was just as satisfying.
- Make it vegetarian: Replace meat with grilled mushrooms and add a little extra sauerkraut for tang—my veggie friends were impressed!
- Add a spicy kick: Mix a little horseradish into the thousand island dressing or sprinkle some crushed red pepper flakes.
How to Make Baked Reuben Sliders Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish and Rolls
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and grease the bottom with some butter so your sliders won’t stick and get a nice buttery base. Then, slice your rolls in half horizontally, but keep the tops and bottoms attached as a slab—that way, it’s easy to assemble all the sliders together without them falling apart.
Step 2: Layer on the Good Stuff
Spread half of the thousand island dressing evenly over the bottom half of the rolls. Then pile on your thinly sliced corned beef or pastrami—don’t be shy here; the more meat, the better! Next, spread the drained sauerkraut over the meat, then lay down your slices of Swiss cheese. On the top half of the rolls, spread the remaining thousand island dressing. Carefully close the rolls onto the cheese layer to create your slider sandwiches.
Step 3: Add the Butter Topping and Bake
In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter with poppy seeds, dried minced onion, caraway seeds, and salt. This mixture is what gives the sliders that beautiful golden top and an extra flavor punch, so don’t skip it! Brush this butter blend generously over the top of the slider slab. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 15 minutes—this melts the cheese perfectly without drying out the rolls. Then remove the foil and bake for another 5 minutes to get the tops a lovely golden brown.
Pro Tips for Making Baked Reuben Sliders Recipe
- Drain That Sauerkraut Well: I learned the hard way that too much liquid can make your sliders soggy. Use a colander and press out excess moisture before layering.
- Keep the Rolls Attached: Slicing rolls as a full sheet without individually cutting makes assembly and baking much easier and less messy.
- Don’t Skip the Butter Topping: The poppy seed mixture adds texture and flavor that really takes these sliders from ordinary to show-stopping.
- Cover Before Baking: Baking covered ensures the cheese melts nicely and the sliders stay moist; removing the foil at the end gives a gorgeous toasted finish.
How to Serve Baked Reuben Sliders Recipe
Garnishes
I usually add some thin pickle slices or a few sprigs of fresh parsley on the side for a pop of color and a hint of freshness. A little sprinkle of extra caraway seeds on top before serving is fun too if you want to jazz it up visually and flavor-wise.
Side Dishes
These sliders love company! I often serve them with classic kettle-cooked potato chips for crunch, a crisp dill pickle, or a simple green salad dressed lightly with lemon vinaigrette. If you want to make a heartier meal, creamy coleslaw or homemade sweet potato fries are fantastic choices.
Creative Ways to Present
For family gatherings, I arrange the slider slabs on a wooden board and slice into individual portions at the table so everyone can grab and go. For a party, I sometimes place them in mini paper food boats with little toothpicks to keep them together—super cute and hassle-free for guests!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I tightly wrap the leftover sliders in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep really well for about 2 to 3 days. When you’re ready to eat, they are just as tasty after reheating!
Freezing
I’ve frozen assembled but unbaked sliders by wrapping the dish securely with foil and plastic wrap. When you want to bake, just take them straight from the freezer and add about 10 minutes to the baking time. It’s such a handy way to prep in advance for gatherings.
Reheating
To keep sliders from getting soggy or dried out, I like reheating them in the oven at 350°F, covered with foil for about 10 minutes, then uncover for a few minutes to re-crisp the tops. Microwave works in a pinch but can sometimes make the bread a bit chewy.
FAQs
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Can I make the Baked Reuben Sliders Recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! Simply use gluten-free slider rolls or buns, and double-check that your sauerkraut and dressings don’t contain gluten additives. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
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What’s the best meat to use for these sliders?
Corned beef is traditional and flavorful, but pastrami works wonderfully too. Both are deli-sliced thin, so pick whichever you prefer or have on hand. You can also mix both for extra depth of flavor.
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Can I assemble the sliders the night before?
Yes! You can assemble them, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time to ensure everything heats through perfectly.
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How do I prevent the rolls from getting soggy?
Draining the sauerkraut really well is key. Also, spreading the dressing evenly but not too thickly and baking covered to keep moisture balanced helps keep the rolls soft but not soggy.
Final Thoughts
This Baked Reuben Sliders Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s both comfort food and finger food—a perfect combination for relaxed meals or parties. I love that it holds so much classic flavor but in a neat, easy-to-share format. Plus, it’s foolproof, so even if you’re not a sandwich pro, you’ll have these sliders on your table in no time. Seriously, give this recipe a try—I promise you won’t regret it, and your friends and family will be asking for seconds before you know it!
Print
Baked Reuben Sliders Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Baked Reuben Sliders are a deliciously easy-to-make twist on the classic Reuben sandwich, featuring layers of corned beef or pastrami, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and tangy thousand island dressing all baked to warm, melty perfection inside soft dinner rolls. Topped with a flavorful butter and spice mixture, these sliders make the perfect crowd-pleasing appetizer or meal.
Ingredients
Sliders
- 12 soft dinner rolls or Hawaiian rolls
- 1/2 cup thousand island dressing
- 1/2 lb corned beef or pastrami, thinly sliced
- 1/2 lb Swiss cheese, sliced
- 1 lb sauerkraut, drained
Topping
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon poppy seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon dried minced onion
- 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Slice Rolls: Carefully slice the rolls in half horizontally, keeping the bottoms attached in one piece and the tops attached in another, so you can layer the fillings easily.
- Layer Base: Place the bottom half of the rolls in the prepared baking dish evenly to serve as the base of your sliders.
- Spread Dressing: Evenly spread half of the thousand island dressing over the bottom half of the rolls, which adds moisture and flavor.
- Add Fillings: Layer the corned beef or pastrami evenly over the dressed rolls, followed by the drained sauerkraut, and then layer the Swiss cheese on top of the sauerkraut.
- Top Layer Dressing and Assemble: Spread the remaining thousand island dressing on the inside of the tops of the rolls, then place these tops over the Swiss cheese layer to complete the sandwich assembly.
- Prepare Butter Topping: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, poppy seeds, minced onion, caraway seeds, and salt. Brush this mixture generously over the tops of the assembled sliders to add a flavorful, golden crust after baking.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake for 15 minutes. This melts the cheese thoroughly and heats the fillings through.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5 minutes or until the tops of the sliders are lightly golden and slightly crispy.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, serve warm, and enjoy your homemade baked Reuben sliders!
Notes
- The perfect sandwich made into the perfect starter, ideal for parties or casual gatherings.
- Make sure to drain the sauerkraut well to avoid a soggy slider.
- Use fresh soft dinner rolls or Hawaiian rolls for the best texture and flavor.
- Baking covered first ensures the cheese melts evenly without drying out the sliders.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
