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What Is a Corned Beef Sandwich?

Mike Howells
Mike Howells

A corned beef sandwich at its most basic is a serving of corned beef placed in between two slices of bread. There are numerous variations of this basic composition, and most incorporate some combination of dressings and condiments. Among the most common is called the Reuben, which adds melted Swiss cheese, Russian dressing, and sauerkraut.

Corned beef is beef that is cured using salt in one of several methods. It can be cured wet in a bath of spiced brine, cured dry by rubbing with salt, or ground and mixed with both salt and gelatin and then canned. Most corned beef sandwich recipes call for either wet or dry cured beef. The third method results in a meat product of generally cheap but low quality that is less preferable for sandwiches.

A corned beef sandwich.
A corned beef sandwich.

Many variations on the corned beef sandwich exist, particularly in melting pot nations such as the United States. A typically Jewish take on the corned beef sandwich calls for rye bread and brown mustard along with thinly sliced corned beef. In the Caribbean, where corned beef was imported by British ships during the 18th century, the corned beef sandwich is made with the addition of local staples, such as onions and peppers. Mayonnaise, pickles, cheese and other kinds of meat such as turkey and roast beef are just a few of the options often seen in a corned beef sandwich.

Sauerkraut is used in a corned beef cabbage called a Reuben.
Sauerkraut is used in a corned beef cabbage called a Reuben.

The classic iteration of the corned beef sandwich known as the Reuben has a muddy history, and was likely to have been invented either in Nebraska or New York in the United States. Whether created by German Arnold Reuben in New York City in 1914 or Lithuanian-born Reuben Kulakofsky in Omaha during the Great Depression, the makeup of the Reuben is undisputed. Corned beef, Swiss Cheese, Russian Dressing, and sauerkraut comprise a Reuben, and it is generally served hot on rye bread.

The Jewish take on the corned beef sandwich uses rye bread.
The Jewish take on the corned beef sandwich uses rye bread.

Like almost all sandwich recipes, the Reuben is no stranger to variation. The most popular alternative is the Rachel, which substitutes turkey for corned beef and cole slaw for sauerkraut. Many also switch out the corned beef for pastrami, which is corned beef smoked with spices.

The corned beef sandwich has the distinction of being the only sandwich to threaten a manned spaceflight. In 1965, the crew of the Gemini 3 spacecraft smuggled aboard a sandwich containing corned beef, and once in orbit each took a bite before returning it to its packaging. Though nothing bad resulted, crumbs from the sandwich could have gotten into the craft's instruments and disrupted their operation. Clearly in the eyes of the astronauts, the risk was worth it.

Discussion Comments

Reminiscence

I like Reubens once in a while myself, but I think the best corned beef sandwich is the simplest corned beef sandwich. I like to slather some brown mustard on the freshest dark rye or pumpernickel bread I can find, maybe a slice of swiss cheese, and then add a pile of sliced corned beef. That's it.

Ruggercat68

I think the Reuben is the best corned beef sandwich ever created. Every ingredient brings out the best in all the other ingredients. I remember a restaurant in my hometown made Reubens the right way. The corned beef was sliced fairly thin and definitely overstacked. The finished sandwich was at least three inches thick. The rye bread was toasted on a grill with the Swiss cheese, thousand island dressing and sauerkraut on top.

A good Reuben will be enough for two meals, that's for sure. I like corned beef on its own as a sandwich filler, but Reubens take it to a whole different level.

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    • A corned beef sandwich.
      A corned beef sandwich.
    • Sauerkraut is used in a corned beef cabbage called a Reuben.
      By: Dani Vincek
      Sauerkraut is used in a corned beef cabbage called a Reuben.
    • The Jewish take on the corned beef sandwich uses rye bread.
      By: fabiomax
      The Jewish take on the corned beef sandwich uses rye bread.