Ever crave a classic Reuben sandwich—the salty corned beef, creamy Swiss cheese, tangy sauerkraut, and that luscious dressing—only to remember that the rye bread is loaded with carbs you just can’t indulge in right now? We’ve all been there.
Reuben In A Bowl is the perfect keto-friendly alternative that keeps all the beloved flavors while ditching the bread. It’s like your favorite deli saying, “We got your low-carb goals covered.”
Why This Recipe Matters
A traditional Reuben sandwich is a masterpiece, but it’s wrapped in carb-heavy rye bread. This bowl version preserves all the deliciousness and satisfaction without the carb overload.
Here’s why this keto-friendly Reuben bowl deserves a spot in your meal lineup:
- Authentic taste with simplicity: All the classic Reuben flavors minus the sandwich construction.
- Keto macros: High in protein and fat, naturally low in carbs.
- Meal prep made easy: Delicious leftovers you’ll actually look forward to reheating.
Why This Recipe Works for Keto
This bowl excels because its core ingredients are inherently low-carb and packed with flavor—no gimmicky substitutions needed.
- Corned beef: The savory, satisfying centerpiece that delivers hearty protein.
- Swiss cheese: Creamy and nutty, essential for that unmistakable Reuben character.
- Sauerkraut: Adds tangy crunch and probiotic goodness.
- Keto-friendly Thousand Island dressing: The creamy binder that ties it all together; without it, it’s just tasty, not a true Reuben.
Key Ingredients (and Why They Matter)
Corned Beef
Your main protein and the deli star of this dish.
Pro tip: Choose freshly sliced corned beef or a quality packaged version with minimal sugars. Nitrate-free is a bonus, but watch out for hidden carbs.
Swiss Cheese
Delivers the classic mellow tang and melt.
Pro tip: Grate your own Swiss cheese for a smoother melt—pre-shredded varieties often have anti-caking agents that affect texture.
Sauerkraut
The sour, crunchy contrast that defines a Reuben.
Quick tip: Drain well (and pat dry) to prevent a soggy bowl.
Keto Thousand Island Dressing
Not traditional, but keto-friendly and delicious.
Simple mix: Combine mayo, sugar-free ketchup, a splash of pickle juice or vinegar, chopped pickles or relish, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Flavor, Texture, and Satisfaction Compared to the Classic Sandwich
This bowl nails the same flavor notes without the carb-heavy bread.
- Flavor: Salty corned beef, tangy sauerkraut, creamy dressing, and mellow Swiss cheese create a perfect harmony.
- Texture: Tender meat, gooey cheese, and crunchy sauerkraut deliver satisfying contrast.
- Satisfaction: Enjoy the comforting taste without the carb-induced slump.
Tips for Best Results
- Broil the cheese for extra melty goodness.
Layer your ingredients in an oven-safe dish, top with Swiss, and broil for 1–3 minutes until bubbly and golden. - Make your own keto-friendly Thousand Island dressing.
Avoid store-bought versions stuffed with sugars—homemade is quick, tastier, and lets you adjust the tang. - Choose quality sauerkraut and drain it well.
The better and drier the kraut, the better the texture and flavor balance.
Meal Prep, Storage, and Reheating
Meal Prep
Easily scaled to your needs:
- Warm corned beef, combine with drained sauerkraut, and store dressing separately until serving.
Storage
- Keep in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Store dressing separately to maintain freshness and texture.
Reheating
- Microwave: Heat 60–90 seconds, stir, then an additional 30 seconds if needed; add dressing after reheating.
- Oven: 350°F (175°C) for around 10 minutes for even warming.
- Finish under the broiler with cheese for a melty, crispy top.
When and How to Serve It
- Weeknight dinners: Quick, fulfilling, and minimal cleanup.
- Lunches: Portable and reheats beautifully, especially with dressing on the side.
- Entertaining: Create a “Reuben Bowl Bar” with extra pickles, spicy mustard, more sauerkraut, and cheese varieties. It’s a fun, interactive meal your guests will love.
Reuben In A Bowl Quick How-To
- Warm corned beef in a skillet; optionally crisp edges.
- Add and warm drained sauerkraut.
- Transfer to a bowl, top with shredded Swiss cheese.
- Broil until cheese melts and bubbles.
- Drizzle with keto Thousand Island dressing and garnish with pickles if desired.
Variations to Try
- Spicy kick: Mix horseradish into the dressing or add spicy mustard.
- Extra crispy: Lightly sauté sauerkraut for a caramelized note.
- More sandwich-like: Serve over shredded cabbage or coleslaw for extra crunch and volume.
Reuben In A Bowl
This Reuben In A Bowl captures all the salty, tangy, and creamy flavors of a classic Reuben sandwich in a strictly keto-friendly way, skipping the rye bread but keeping the savory corned beef, melty Swiss cheese, tangy sauerkraut, and rich keto Thousand Island dressing. Everything is layered into a bowl, broiled until bubbly, and finished with a cool drizzle of dressing for a fast, satisfying low-carb meal that works for easy weeknight dinners, make-ahead lunches, or a fun Reuben bar for entertaining.
Servings 4 servings
Calories 520kcal
Equipment
- large skillet
- Cutting board
- Chef’s knife
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- oven-safe baking dish or individual oven-safe bowls
- broiler-safe sheet pan
- measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
For the Reuben bowls
- 1 pound cooked corned beef, sliced or shredded trimmed of excess fat, roughly chopped into bite-size pieces
- 2 cups sauerkraut well drained and squeezed dry, unsweetened
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese freshly shredded for best melt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or to taste
- 1 teaspoon caraway seeds optional, for classic rye flavor without the bread
For the keto Thousand Island dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise sugar-free
- 3 tablespoons sugar-free ketchup
- 2 tablespoons dill pickles, finely chopped or sugar-free dill relish
- 1 tablespoon pickle juice or apple cider vinegar, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika or sweet paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt or to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
Optional garnishes
- 2 tablespoons dill pickles, chopped for topping
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped for color and freshness
Instructions
- Preheat the broiler and position an oven rack in the upper third of the oven, then lightly grease an oven-safe baking dish or four individual oven-safe bowls.
- Add the mayonnaise, sugar-free ketchup, chopped dill pickles, pickle juice, onion powder, smoked paprika, sea salt, and black pepper to a mixing bowl and whisk until smooth and creamy, then taste and adjust seasoning or acidity as desired and set the dressing aside to let the flavors meld.
- Place a large skillet over medium heat and add the butter and olive oil, allowing the butter to melt and the fats to blend together.
- Add the chopped corned beef to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until warmed through and lightly crisped on some edges for extra texture, about a few minutes.
- Stir the well-drained sauerkraut, kosher salt, black pepper, and optional caraway seeds into the skillet with the corned beef and cook for another few minutes until the mixture is hot and any excess moisture has cooked off.
- Transfer the hot corned beef and sauerkraut mixture to the prepared baking dish or divide evenly among the individual bowls, spreading it into an even layer.
- Sprinkle the shredded Swiss cheese evenly over the hot corned beef and sauerkraut layer, covering the surface so it melts into a cohesive topping.
- Place the baking dish or bowls on a sheet pan under the broiler and broil until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and just starting to turn golden in spots, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Remove the Reuben bowls from the oven and let them cool briefly, then generously drizzle the keto Thousand Island dressing over the melted cheese or serve the dressing on the side for individual drizzling.
- Garnish the bowls with additional chopped dill pickles and fresh parsley if desired, then serve warm as a hearty keto meal for lunch, dinner, or meal prep.
Notes
To keep this dish strictly keto, be sure to use sugar-free sauerkraut and sugar-free ketchup, and double-check the label on your corned beef for added sugars or starches. For meal prep, store the cooked corned beef and sauerkraut mixture separately from the dressing, then reheat the meat base and broil with cheese just before serving, adding the cold dressing afterward to keep it creamy. For extra volume without many carbs, you can serve the Reuben mixture over a bed of lightly sautéed shredded green cabbage or raw coleslaw mix tossed with a bit of olive oil, keeping total net carbs per serving under the keto limit.
Nutrition
Calories: 520kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 125mg | Sodium: 1580mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g
