Corned Beef Sandwich

5 from 7 votes
14 Comments

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Corned beef sandwich is a really tasty Irish sandwich, especially when they are made with our homemade Russian dressing! Just one bite and your luck will change for the better! 

A corned beef sandwich sliced in half.
Featured with this Recipe
  1. Ingredients in the Best Corned Beef Sandwich Recipe
  2. Instructions for Corned Beef Sandwich
  3. Additions and Substitutions for Corned Beef Sandwich
  4. What is Russian Dressing?
  5. Frequently Asked Questions
  6. Leftover Corned Beef
  7. Storing Corned Beef Sandwich
  8. More St. Patrick’s Day Favorites
  9. How To Make Corned Beef Sandwich
  10. Corned Beef Sandwich Recipe

When it comes to a corned beef sandwich, this one definitely has my own unique personal twist. If you want to make this more like a traditional Rueben sandwich, then just swap out the coleslaw for sauerkraut. I am not a big sauerkraut fan, my husband loves it but I think it tastes rotten. So I swap it out for coleslaw and some sliced pickles so that I can actually enjoy this yummy sandwich.

Corned beef sandwiches are especially good with our Coleslaw recipe and Homemade Russian Dressing recipe. The creamy, savory kick of this mayonnaise-based dressing is the perfect way to doll up a sandwich. It gives your taste buds a little something extra to play with while you’re enjoying the tender meat and crisp, flavorful coleslaw.

Ingredients in the Best Corned Beef Sandwich Recipe

The ingredients for this traditional corned beef sandwich are perfect for making with a leftover corned beef roast or making it the day of. Just a few extra ingredients from the fridge will give you the best corned beef sandwich yet!

  • Bread – Dark rye bread, marbled rye, or black pumpernickel bread slices give this corned beef sandwich the ultimate flavor!
  • Corned beef – Sliced corned beef or shredded corned beef roast lays right over the top of the bread. It is filled with flavor and soft, tender, and juicy in every bite!
  • Cheese – Swiss cheese slices are soft and have a creamy bite to them.
  • Coleslaw Our recipe has shredded cabbage and carrots mixed with a tasty coleslaw dressing. You can make it from a bag too from the grocery store if that is easier.
  • Pickles – Sliced pickles are laid flat on the sandwich.
  • Russian dressing – Our delicious homemade Russian dressing adds all the flavor.

Instructions for Corned Beef Sandwich

In just a few steps you will have a quick and easy lunch or dinner recipe that you will love! This is a simple, yet flavorful sandwich that has all the raves. Sink your teeth into this corned beef sandwich and enjoy all the Irish flavors in each bite!

  1. Broil – On one slice of bread, layer the corned beef and top with cheese. Place under the broiler in the oven until cheese just starts to melt.
  2. Assemble – Remove from oven and top the cheese with coleslaw and sliced pickles. Spread Russian dressing over the other slice of bread.
  3. Serve – Put the two slices together and enjoy!
  4. Optional – To serve grilled, make a sandwich and butter outside slices of bread. Place in a skillet at medium heat to medium-high heat. Grill until the bread is golden brown on both sides.

Additions and Substitutions for Corned Beef Sandwich

Give your classic corned beef sandwich a masterpiece lunch or dinner with these ideas to help make it your own! Use some of these ideas to try different ways to make corned beef sandwiches. The possibilities are endless!

  • Corned beef brisket – This is great for roasted corned beef leftovers. It is so tender and juicy. It is the perfect leftover sandwich.
  • Pastrami – Try this for another type of thinly sliced meat.
  • Condiments – Mustard, horseradish, or Dijon mustard. These three condiments can be together or separate depending on your preference.
  • Caramelized onions – Cook the onions ahead of time and add them to the sandwich for a classic sandwich stack!
  • Tomatoes – Slice large tomatoes or Roma tomatoes to put on the side of a slice of bread.
  • Potato chips – Add a side of potato chips for a complete meal.
A corned beef sandwich cut in half and stacked one half on top of the other.


What is Russian Dressing?

Russian dressing is made with mayonnaise, chili sauce, red wine vinegar, sugar, garlic powder, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and dill pickles or dill pickle relish. It is similar to Thousand Island Dressing. It is also comparable to the In-N-Out “spread”. You’ll love this creamy and savory mayonnaise-based sauce with a spicy kick. It is most well-known as a dressing on a Classic Reuben Sandwich or corned beef sandwich.

Ironically, according to several sources, including CNN, the Russian Dressing recipe originated in New Hampshire, not Russia. A grocer named James E. Colburn invented the dressing. He created it as a spread and sold it to retailers and hotels throughout the United States. Colbern liked to use the dressing on a Russian salad, hence giving it the name “Russian” dressing. Now it has become one of the sandwich staples in New York City delis and diners.

In a pinch, if you don’t have all the ingredients for Russian Dressing you can simply mix together 2 parts mayonnaise to 1 part ketchup for a substitute. The flavors are close enough to work.

A corned beef sandwich on a cutting board with Russian Dressing dripping down the sides.

“This corned beef sandwich is the BEST lunch recipe! I love making this for a heartier lunch!”

-Valentina

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a corned beef sandwich and a Reuben sandwich?

A classic Reuben sandwich has corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and thousand island dressing, and is served on rye bread. This corned beef sandwich has coleslaw instead of sauerkraut. Sometimes we use different bread or cheese. They are very similar, though!

Is a corned beef sandwich served hot or cold?

Traditionally, a corned beef sandwich is served hot. The melted cheese and toasted bread are so delicious together! To serve hot, make a sandwich and butter the outside slices of bread. Place in a skillet at medium heat to medium-high heat. Grill until the bread is golden brown on both sides. Similar to a grilled cheese sandwich.

Where can I buy corned beef?

You can make your own using our Instant Pot Corned Beef Recipe, or you can buy it at your local deli. I have been able to find it at the deli in most grocery stores as well.

What do you serve with a corned beef sandwich?

Make this a complete meal with chips, an extra side of coleslaw, a side salad, tater tots, fries, or grapes.

Leftover Corned Beef

This sandwich is the perfect way to use leftover corned beef if you are making some up for St. Patrick’s Day, or just pick some up at the store. If I am making this sandwich, then I usually need to run by the store anyway to pick up some Rye bread and sliced cheese from the deli.

One piece of rye bread spread with Russian dressing and one piece of rye bread with corned beef, melted cheese, coleslaw, and pickles.

Storing Corned Beef Sandwich

Storing corned beef sandwiches is as simple as it gets! It is best to make these sandwiches the day you eat them because they will become soggy after too long. We like to toast the sandwich and assemble it before wrapping it in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to store in the refrigerator for one to two hours.

Place the condiments back in the refrigerator. Store the bread separately in the pantry and your clean-up is done! When ready to make another corned beef sandwich, gather ingredients and warm up the corned beef in the microwave or stove. Next, assemble with your favorite condiments and dressing.

More St. Patrick’s Day Favorites

We have some other fun recipes that are perfect for St. Patrick’s Day. You can make it a week full of yummy Irish recipes instead of just one day. You can make one of our delicious Irish Pasties with a green Mint Julep to drink. If you are looking for some green treats, then you will love our copycat Shamrock Shakes or Mini Grasshopper Cheesecakes.

How To Make Corned Beef Sandwich

A corned beef sandwich sliced in half

Corned Beef Sandwich

5 from 7 votes
Corned beef sandwich is a really tasty Irish sandwich, especially when they are made with our homemade Russian dressing! Just one bite and your luck will change for the better! 
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Course Lunch
Cuisine American
Servings 4 sandwiches

Video

Ingredients

  • 8 slices dark rye bread or black pumpernickel
  • ½ pound sliced corned beef
  • 4 slices swiss cheese
  • 1 cup coleslaw
  • 6 pickles sliced
  • ½ cup Russian dressing click the link for our homemade Russian dressing

Instructions

  • On one slice of bread, layer the corned beef and top with cheese. Place under the broiler in the oven until cheese just starts to melt.
    An open faced sandwich on a cutting board
  • Remove from oven and top the cheese with coleslaw and sliced pickles. Spread Russian dressing over the other slice of bread.
    One piece of rye bread spread with Russian dressing and one piece of rye bread with corned beef, melted cheese, coleslaw, and pickles
  • Put the two slices together and enjoy!
    A corned beef sandwich on a cutting board with Russian Dressing dripping down the sides
  • Optional: To serve grilled, make a sandwich and butter outside slices of bread. Place in a skillet at medium heat to medium-high heat. Grill until the bread is golden brown on both sides.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 516kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 22gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 2256mgPotassium: 449mgFiber: 5gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 494IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 325mgIron: 4mg

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About the author

Emily Walker

Emily lives in Meridian, Idaho, with her husband, Beau, a physician assistant, and her three incredible children: a son and two daughters. Travel is one of her favorite ways to experience new cultures and cuisines, and she has a love for all things Disney.

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Comments

  1. After I melt the cheese, can I assemble the sandwiches and serve them the next day? I want to serve them at a luncheon for 25 people.

  2. 5 stars
    I had forgotten to buy the rye bread, but I had tortillas, so I simply made quesadillas, the only other thing I did was to throw a few jalapenos on each one as well.
    They were so good!

    1. Jewish deli’s here in Michigan always serve the corned beef sandwiches with Russian Dressing and/or horseradish sauce, but never ketchup(?) Maybe you’ve not experienced a true CB sandwich. You should try it!