Hey everyone, Jason Griffith here! We all love the iconic Reuben sandwich, with its perfect layers of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and tangy Russian dressing, all grilled between slices of rye bread. But what if you could enjoy all those incredible flavors in a warm, comforting bowl of soup? Today, I’m bringing you a culinary marvel: Creamy Reuben Soup. This isn’t just soup; it’s a rich, creamy, and incredibly satisfying concoction that takes all the savory goodness of the classic sandwich and transforms it into the ultimate comfort food. It’s pure delight in every spoonful and guaranteed to warm you from the inside out!
Why I Love This Recipe
What’s not to love about a soup that perfectly captures the essence of a beloved sandwich? I’m absolutely obsessed with Creamy Reuben Soup because it delivers all the familiar, robust flavors of a Reuben in a comforting, easy-to-eat format. The tender corned beef, the tangy sauerkraut, and the luscious, cheesy broth create a harmonious blend that is deeply satisfying. It’s fantastic for a cozy weeknight dinner, perfect for feeding a hungry family, or an absolute must for chilly evenings. Plus, it’s easily customizable with your favorite toppings, making it a versatile and deeply satisfying meal for everyone. The aroma of simmering corned beef and Swiss cheese filling your kitchen is simply divine!
The Evolution of “Sandwich” Soups
The concept of transforming a classic sandwich into a soup has gained immense popularity, offering a creative way to enjoy familiar flavors in a new, comforting format. The Reuben sandwich, with its distinct combination of savory corned beef, briny sauerkraut, nutty Swiss cheese, and tangy dressing, is a prime candidate for this kind of culinary innovation.
“Reuben soup” takes those beloved components and translates them into a hearty, spoonable dish. The soup version retains the savory richness of the corned beef and cheese while allowing the flavors to meld more deeply during simmering. The creamy broth acts as the perfect vehicle, binding all the elements together and creating a satisfying warmth. This Creamy Reuben Soup recipe embodies that creative spirit, offering a wholesome, hearty, and flavorful soup that brings a touch of warmth and comfort to any table, proving that iconic flavors can transcend their original form.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create this incredibly savory and satisfying Creamy Reuben Soup:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 2 medium carrots, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups beef broth (low sodium recommended)
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained (optional, for a richer base)
- 1 lb cooked corned beef, diced or shredded
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can sauerkraut, well-drained and rinsed (optional, for less tang)
- 1 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional, but highly recommended for authentic Reuben flavor)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional, for extra richness)
- 6 ounces Swiss cheese, shredded (about 1.5 cups), plus more for topping
- Optional Garnishes: Rye bread croutons, extra shredded Swiss cheese, Russian dressing or Thousand Island dressing, chopped fresh parsley
Swaps and Notes
- Corned Beef: Cooked, diced or shredded corned beef is essential here. This is a fantastic recipe for using up leftover corned beef from St. Patrick’s Day or other meals. If you don’t have leftover, you can cook a small corned beef brisket specifically for this soup.
- Sauerkraut: Well-drained sauerkraut is crucial for the classic Reuben tang. Rinsing it before adding can reduce its intensity if you prefer a milder flavor.
- Caraway Seeds: These tiny seeds provide the distinctive, earthy flavor found in rye bread and are a hallmark of a Reuben sandwich. They are highly recommended for authentic taste!
- Vegetables: Onion, celery, and carrots form a classic aromatic base. You can add diced potatoes to the soup if you like, adding them with the broth and cooking until tender.
- Broth: Low-sodium beef broth is recommended to control the saltiness. Vegetable broth can be used as an alternative.
- Diced Tomatoes (Optional): Some Reuben soups include tomatoes for a richer base. If you prefer a lighter, less tomato-forward soup, you can omit them and use extra broth.
- Dairy: Milk provides the initial creaminess, and heavy cream can be added for extra decadence. You can adjust the ratio or use all milk for a lighter soup.
- Swiss Cheese: Shred your own Swiss cheese from a block for the best melt and flavor. Pre-shredded can sometimes be grainy. Gruyere is an excellent substitute for Swiss if you want an even nuttier flavor.
- Rye Bread Croutons: These are a must for an authentic “Reuben” experience in soup form. You can make them by cubing rye bread, tossing with butter, and toasting in the oven or skillet.
Steps for the Recipe
Let’s get this comforting Creamy Reuben Soup simmering!
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté for 8-10 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic, caraway seeds (if using), salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add Liquids & Corned Beef: Pour in the beef broth and diced tomatoes (if using), scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the diced or shredded corned beef. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer Soup Base: Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Add Sauerkraut & Dairy: Stir in the well-drained and rinsed sauerkraut. Stir in the milk and heavy cream (if using). Bring the soup back to a gentle simmer (do not boil rapidly once dairy is added).
- Add Cheese: Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the shredded Swiss cheese until completely melted and the soup is smooth and creamy. If the soup seems too thick, you can add a splash more beef broth or milk until desired consistency is reached.
- Serve & Garnish: Taste and adjust seasoning (salt, pepper) if needed. Ladle into bowls, top generously with rye bread croutons, extra shredded Swiss cheese, a drizzle of Russian or Thousand Island dressing, and chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot.
Tips for Success
- Drain Sauerkraut Well: This is crucial to prevent the soup from becoming overly sour or watery. Rinsing it lightly can also help if you prefer less tang.
- Shred Your Own Cheese: For the creamiest, smoothest cheese melt, shred cheese from blocks. Pre-shredded often contains anti-caking agents that can make the soup grainy or clumpy.
- Gentle Simmer with Dairy: Once you add milk and cream, keep the heat low and maintain a gentle simmer to prevent the dairy from scorching or curdling.
- Don’t Skip Caraway: For true Reuben flavor, caraway seeds are a must. They add a subtle anise-like warmth.
- Garnish is Key: The toppings are essential for that classic Reuben experience!
- Taste and Adjust: Always taste your soup before serving and adjust salt, pepper, or other seasonings as needed. Broths and corned beef can vary in saltiness.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
Creamy Reuben Soup is a hearty meal on its own, but it pairs beautifully with:
- Extra Rye Bread: A slice of warm, toasted rye bread on the side for dipping.
- Simple Side Salad: A light green salad with a vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing contrast.
- Pickle Spears: Offer a side of dill pickle spears for extra crunch and tang.
- Other Comfort Foods: This soup complements other hearty dishes well, such as cheesesteak-inspired dishes or cheesy dips like This Crockpot Nacho Dip Is The Reason I Never Have Leftovers.
- Beverage Pairings: A simple glass of water, iced tea, a crisp lager, or even a dry hard cider would complement this soup nicely.
Storage and Leftover Tips
Creamy Reuben Soup makes fantastic leftovers, and the flavors often deepen even more the next day!
- Refrigerate: Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The soup will thicken considerably upon chilling.
- Reheat: To reheat, gently warm portions in a saucepan on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of beef broth or milk to thin out the soup and bring it back to your desired creamy consistency. Stir frequently. You can also microwave individual portions, stirring halfway through.
- Freezing: Freezing is possible, but the texture of the cream and cheese can sometimes change slightly upon thawing, and the sauerkraut might become softer. If freezing, use freezer-safe containers and leave some headspace. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat gently, adding liquid as needed.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you enjoyed the comfort and savory flavors of this soup, you might also like these other fantastic, easy-to-make appetizers and meals:
- For another fantastic cheesy dip that’s always a hit, check out How I Turned a Classic Sandwich into the Ultimate Cheesy Hot Dip.
- If you love easy, cheesy crowd-pleasers, my Easy Cheesy Chicken Sliders with Marinara Garlic Butter are fantastic.
- For another flavorful meat appetizer, check out This Baked Kosher Salami Is My Favorite Easy Appetizer with Big Flavor.
- And for another great cheesy dip that disappears in minutes, my This Beer Cheese Dip Is My Favorite Party Starter That Disappears in Minutes is excellent.
Final Thoughts
Creamy Reuben Soup is a true triumph of comfort food – it offers all the rich, savory, and cozy flavors of your favorite deli sandwich in a hearty, soul-warming bowl. It’s perfect for chilly evenings, easy meal prepping, or simply indulging in pure, cheesy comfort. This recipe is a game-changer that will quickly become a beloved staple in your kitchen.
I hope you give this amazing soup a try and enjoy every comforting spoonful! Let me know in the comments below if this becomes your new go-to soup recipe, or what your favorite sandwich-inspired dishes are. I always love hearing from you! Happy cooking!
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