Experience the delightful fusion of a classic Reuben sandwich and a beloved hot dog! These Reuben Hot Dogs feature perfectly cooked hot dogs topped with melted Swiss cheese, tangy sauerkraut, and a crisp pickle spear, all nestled in a soft hot dog bun. The grand finale is a drizzle of easy, homemade Russian dressing that ties all the incredible flavors together.
Hot dogs are a blank canvas for culinary creativity, and we love exploring exciting new ways to enjoy them! If you enjoy unique twists, be sure to also try our Pizza Dogs or our comforting Mac and Cheese Dogs.
Reuben Hot Dogs: A Gourmet Twist for Hot Dog Lovers
For those who know me, it’s no secret that I am a true hot dog enthusiast. My blog is filled with countless creative hot dog recipes, a testament to my enduring love for this versatile meal. While some might think of hot dogs as a simple, no-frills option, I see them as an exciting opportunity to experiment with flavors and textures. This particular recipe for Reuben Hot Dogs, originally shared in 2012, remains a timeless favorite and perfectly embodies my passion for elevating everyday dishes.
In our household, hot dogs often become a reliable go-to dinner, alongside favorites like pizza and tacos. However, sometimes a basic hot dog with just ketchup and mustard just doesn’t quite hit the spot. That’s where culinary innovation comes in! These Reuben Hot Dogs are designed to bring a burst of excitement to your meal rotation, ensuring that your family will eagerly look forward to hot dog night rather than greet it with a groan. They’re so incredibly flavorful, you’ll find yourself craving them again and again!
What Defines a Classic Reuben Sandwich?
Before diving into our hot dog rendition, let’s appreciate the iconic sandwich that inspired it. A traditional Reuben sandwich is a beloved American deli classic, renowned for its harmonious blend of savory, tangy, and creamy flavors. It typically features thinly sliced corned beef, generously layered with Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and a generous slather of Russian dressing, all grilled to perfection between slices of rye bread. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating its distinctive taste profile.
Our Reuben Hot Dogs take this classic blueprint and ingeniously adapt it for a more casual, fun, and easy-to-eat format. We substitute the traditional corned beef with a juicy hot dog, and the hearty rye bread with a soft hot dog bun. The essential Swiss cheese, tangy sauerkraut, and the signature Russian dressing remain, ensuring that all the beloved flavors of the original sandwich are present and accounted for in every delicious bite.
The Secret Ingredient: Understanding Russian Dressing
Despite its intriguing name, Russian dressing has surprisingly little to do with Russia. This flavorful condiment is a distinctly American invention, with its modern mayonnaise-based form widely credited to James Colburn in the 1910s. It’s often confused with Thousand Island dressing, but true Russian dressing boasts a more robust, spicier, and less sweet flavor profile. Typically, it’s a vibrant blend of mayonnaise and ketchup, often enhanced with other exciting ingredients and spices.
Common additions to Russian dressing include horseradish for a subtle kick, pickle relish for tang, chives for a fresh oniony note, and pimientos for a hint of sweetness and color. In our simplified yet incredibly flavorful homemade Russian dressing recipe, we opt for sour cream as a creamy base instead of mayonnaise. This choice contributes a lovely tang and richness without being overly heavy. We then blend it with ketchup for sweetness and acidity, and smoked paprika, which adds a wonderful depth and a smoky aroma that perfectly complements the other Reuben flavors. This easy-to-make dressing is truly the key to unlocking the authentic taste of these Reuben Hot Dogs.
Crafting Your Perfect Reuben Hot Dog: Tips for Success
Creating these sensational Reuben Hot Dogs is straightforward, but a few tips can elevate your experience from good to absolutely fantastic. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that signature Reuben flavor, so let’s break it down.
Choosing Your Hot Dogs
For the best flavor and texture, opt for high-quality, all-beef hot dogs. They tend to be juicier and have a richer taste that stands up well to the bold flavors of the Reuben toppings. While boiling is a common method, grilling your hot dogs (especially split lengthwise as in this recipe) adds a wonderful smoky char and a crisp exterior that mimics the grilled nature of a traditional Reuben sandwich. This step is key for enhancing the overall experience.
Prepping the Sauerkraut
Sauerkraut is a star player in the Reuben flavor profile, bringing its signature tangy and slightly sour notes. It’s important to rinse and thoroughly drain your sauerkraut before heating it. This removes excess brine, reducing its intensity and preventing your hot dog bun from becoming soggy. You can gently heat the sauerkraut in a small saucepan over medium heat until it’s warmed through, allowing its flavors to meld beautifully.
Melting the Swiss Cheese
Melted Swiss cheese is non-negotiable for a true Reuben experience. After grilling your hot dogs to perfection, place a slice of Swiss cheese over each, folding it if necessary to fit. Covering the grill or pan for a minute or two will create a steamy environment, ensuring the cheese melts into a wonderfully gooey layer, adhering perfectly to the hot dog.
The Perfect Bun
While traditional Reuben sandwiches use rye bread, a standard hot dog bun works perfectly for our Reuben Hot Dogs. For an extra touch of flavor and texture, consider lightly toasting the inside of your buns on the grill or in a pan. A slightly crispy bun provides a delightful contrast to the soft hot dog and creamy dressing, and it also helps prevent it from getting too soggy from the toppings.
Serving Suggestions and Creative Variations
Reuben Hot Dogs are hearty enough to be a complete meal on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with a variety of classic sides. For a traditional deli experience, serve them alongside crispy potato chips or a fresh batch of French fries. Coleslaw or potato salad are also excellent choices, offering a cool, creamy contrast to the warm, savory hot dogs. Don’t forget a tall glass of iced tea or a cold beer to complete the meal!
Feeling adventurous? These hot dogs are ripe for customization. While the classic components are fantastic, consider these variations:
- Different Cheeses: Experiment with provolone or even a sharp white cheddar if Swiss isn’t your favorite.
- Onion Accents: Add a sprinkle of finely diced raw red onion for a sharp bite, or caramelized onions for a touch of sweetness.
- Spicy Kick: Stir a dash of Sriracha or a pinch of cayenne pepper into your Russian dressing for those who love a bit of heat. Sliced jalapeños on top could also work!
- Vegetarian Option: Substitute an all-beef hot dog with your favorite plant-based frankfurter to make this recipe vegetarian-friendly.
Explore More Hot Dog Adventures
If these Reuben Hot Dogs spark your culinary imagination, you’re in for a treat! My collection of hot dog recipes is vast and varied, designed to transform this humble comfort food into exciting culinary creations. Here are a few more to inspire your next meal:
- Mexican Hot Dog: A fiesta of flavors with a spicy twist.
- Hawaiian Hot Dogs: Sweet and savory with tropical notes.
- Taco Dogs: All the fun of tacos in a hot dog bun.
- Coney Island Hot Dogs: A classic chili dog experience.
- BLAT Dogs: Bacon, lettuce, avocado, and tomato for a fresh take.
- Green Chile Dogs: A smoky, zesty Southwestern delight.
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Reuben Hot Dogs
All the flavors of a Reuben sandwich in a hot dog! These Reuben Hot Dogs have Swiss cheese topped hot dogs, sauerkraut, and a pickle spear in a hot dog bun, then topped with an easy homemade Russian dressing.
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb sauerkraut, rinsed and drained
- 8 all-beef hot dogs
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/2 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 8 slices Swiss cheese
- 8 hot dog buns
- 8 pickle spears
Instructions
- Heat the 1/2 lb sauerkraut in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- In a medium skillet, bring 1 inch of water to a boil. Add the 8 all-beef hot dogs and cook until heated through.
- While the hot dogs are heating, make the sauce. In a small bowl, combine the 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup ketchup, and 1/2 tablespoon smoked paprika. Set aside.
- Split the hot dogs lengthwise. On a grill or grill pan, grill the hot dogs until they are crisp. Place 8 slices Swiss cheese on top of each hot dog, folding it if needed. Cover the grill to allow the cheese to melt.
- To assemble, place a hot dog in each of the 8 hot dog buns. Top each with some sauerkraut and a 8 pickle spears. Drizzle with the homemade sauce.
Recipe Notes:
Adapted from Every Day with Rachael Ray June/July 2010.
Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should only be used as a general guideline.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 258kcal (13%),
Carbohydrates: 13g (4%),
Protein: 13g (26%),
Fat: 17g (26%),
Saturated Fat: 9g (56%),
Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g,
Trans Fat: 0g,
Cholesterol: 47mg (16%),
Sodium: 1065mg (46%),
Fiber: 1g (4%),
Sugar: 5g (6%)