Reuben Sliders with Thousand Island

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These mini sandwiches pack all the flavors of a classic Reuben—corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and tangy dressing—into easy-to-eat slider form.

Baked on a sheet of Hawaiian rolls with a buttery caraway topping, they feed a crowd with minimal effort.

Why You’ll Love It

  • Perfect party food that serves 12
  • All the Reuben flavor in a handheld size
  • Assembled ahead and baked when ready
  • The buttery topping makes the rolls irresistible
  • Great way to use leftover corned beef

Ingredients

For the Sliders

  • 1 package (12 count) Hawaiian sweet rolls
  • 1 pound thinly sliced corned beef
  • 8 slices Swiss cheese
  • 1 cup sauerkraut, well drained
  • 1/2 cup Thousand Island dressing, plus more for serving

For the Thousand Island Dressing (Homemade)

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the Butter Topping

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Steps

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. If making homemade Thousand Island dressing, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, Worcestershire sauce, and onion powder in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper.

3. Squeeze the sauerkraut in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to remove as much liquid as possible—this prevents soggy sliders.

4. Without separating the rolls, use a serrated knife to slice the entire block of rolls in half horizontally.

5. Place the bottom half of the rolls in a 9×13-inch baking dish.

6. Spread the Thousand Island dressing evenly over the cut surface of the bottom rolls.

7. Layer the corned beef evenly over the dressing.

8. Spread the drained sauerkraut over the corned beef in an even layer.

9. Arrange the Swiss cheese slices over the sauerkraut, overlapping as needed to cover.

10. Place the top half of the rolls over the cheese.

11. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, Dijon mustard, caraway seeds, garlic powder, and onion powder.

12. Brush the butter mixture generously over the top of the rolls, making sure to cover the entire surface.

13. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.

14. Bake covered for 15 minutes.

15. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is melted.

16. Let the sliders rest for 5 minutes before cutting.

17. Use a sharp knife to cut along the natural lines of the rolls to separate into individual sliders.

18. Serve with extra Thousand Island dressing on the side for dipping.

Helpful Tips and Substitutions

Draining the sauerkraut thoroughly is the most important step—excess moisture will make the rolls soggy.

Deli-sliced corned beef from the grocery store works well if you do not have homemade.

Pastrami can substitute for corned beef for a slightly different flavor profile.

Russian dressing can be used instead of Thousand Island—they are similar but Russian is typically tangier.

For extra flavor, spread a thin layer of dressing on both the top and bottom rolls.

Rye bread slider buns can replace Hawaiian rolls for a more traditional Reuben taste.

Add a layer of coleslaw instead of sauerkraut for a Rachel slider variation.

Provolone cheese works if you prefer a milder cheese than Swiss.

Serving Ideas

Serve warm directly from the baking dish for casual gatherings.

Transfer to a serving platter and arrange with small bowls of extra dressing and mustard for dipping.

Pair with pickle spears, potato chips, or coleslaw.

Set out toothpicks or small cocktail picks to keep the sliders together for easy eating.

These are ideal for St. Patrick’s Day parties, game day, or any gathering where finger food is appropriate.

Make-Ahead and Storage

The sliders can be assembled completely, covered, and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking.

If baking from cold, add 5-10 minutes to the covered baking time.

The Thousand Island dressing can be made up to 1 week ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Store leftover baked sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheat leftovers in a 325°F oven for 10-15 minutes, covered with foil to prevent drying out.

Microwaving works but the rolls will not be as crisp.

Assembled but unbaked sliders can be frozen for up to 1 month—thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking.

Party-Perfect

Reuben sliders are one of those recipes that always gets requests for seconds and the recipe.

The assembly-line method makes them practical for feeding a group, and the flavors are spot-on.

Make a batch for your next gathering and watch them disappear.

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