All the flavors of your favorite deli sandwich come together in this Keto Reuben Casserole. So delicious and satisfying, you won’t miss the bread! Only 4.3g net carbs per serving.
I love a good, classic Reuben, piled high with corned beef, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese. Preferably with plenty of Russian dressing oozing out as you bite into it. It used to be my favorite sandwich and I would order one every chance I could get.
But I don’t really eat sandwiches anymore. And recipes like this Keto Reuben Casserole mean I don’t feel like I am missing out.
Sure, there are keto bread recipes out there. But for me, it’s just not worth it. I’d rather make a delicious, hearty casserole out of the fillings and skip the bread altogether.
Healthier, easier, and lower in carbs, with all the same classic Reuben flavor that I love. This simple skillet dinner comes together in 25 minutes and the whole family gobbles it up!
Why you will love this recipe
This Keto Reuben Casserole is inspired by one I created for my Easy Keto Dinners cookbook. I’ve had so many readers rave about that recipe that I decided to remake it and share it here. This version is a similar concept with a few notable changes.
For one, I added shredded cabbage to give the recipe more bulk and structure. This way, it feels like you are getting more in your bowl without adding carbs.
I also made it slightly lower in fat by reducing the mayonnaise and the cheese. But trust me, it’s still a hearty, wonderful meal. And it helps the other flavors of the corned beef and dressing really stand out.
If you love Reubens, you are going to adore this easy skillet dinner!
Ingredients you need
- Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise forms the base of the Keto Russian Dressing. Many commercial brands contain soybean oil and a bit of sugar so read your labels. I like this organic avocado oil mayo.
- Dill pickles: Chop them up very finely so that they mix in well with the dressing.
- Tomato paste: A little tomato paste takes the place of ketchup in this healthier dressing.
- Sweetener: Just a little bit of sweetener makes the dressing taste like the real thing. You can use any sweetener you like best. Just make sure to whisk it in well to avoid grittiness.
- Caraway seeds: Some toasted caraway seeds give this Keto Reuben Casserole a classic rye bread flavor, without the bread.
- Cabbage: Shredded cabbage provides both bulk and nutrition for this recipe.
- Sauerkraut: Drain the sauerkraut well so that it doesn’t add unnecessary liquid.
- Corned beef: This is a great recipe to use up leftover cooked corned beef. But you can also use sliced deli corned beef.
- Swiss cheese: If you prefer a milder cheese, feel free to sub in sliced cheddar or muenster. Even havarti would be good.
- Pantry staples: Butter, cumin, and ground cloves..
Step-by-step directions
1. Make the dressing: Whisk all of the dressing ingredients together in a medium bowl until well combined. Set aside.
2. Toast the caraway: In a 10-inch skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, add the caraway seeds and toast for about 30 seconds.
3. Sauté the cabbage: Add the cabbage and toss to coat in the butter. Sauté until tender, 3 to 5 minutes.
4. Add the sauerkraut: Add the sauerkraut and toss to combine. Spread the mixture evenly over the bottom of the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium-low.
5. Assemble the casserole: Top the sauerkraut with the corned beef and drizzle with the Russian dressing. Arrange the slices of Swiss cheese to cover everything. Cover the skillet and cook for 5 minutes until the cheese is melted.
Expert tips
Try to shred or chop the cabbage finely so that you don’t have big chunks. It makes the casserole much easier to serve when it’s ready. You can also use bagged coleslaw mix.
This Keto Reuben Casserole is a great way to use up leftover corned beef from St. Paddy’s Day! I just sliced and chopped up 12 ounces of cooked corned beef. But you can also purchase sliced corned beef from the deli counter and use that instead.
Not a fan of Swiss cheese? No problem! Use your favorite mild white cheese here. It could be cheddar, muenster, or even mozzarella. I recommend deli-style slices for the best coverage, but you could use shredded instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Reubens are a grilled deli sandwich made with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing on rye bread. This recipe takes all the wonderful fillings from a classic Reuben sandwich and turns it into an easy and delicious keto casserole.
This easy skillet meal has only 6.4g of carbs and 2.1g of fiber. So it has just 4.3g net carbs per serving. Compare that to the 40g of carbs in a traditional Reuben sandwich!
Store any leftovers in a covered container in the fridge for up to 5 days. It reheats well in the microwave or in the oven.
How to serve Keto Reuben Casserole
This is a pretty hearty meal as it is and I often just scoop some into a bowl and eat it on its own. However, you can get creative and serve it any number of ways. Some fun ideas to get you started:
- Toast slices of Keto Focaccia and scoop the casserole on top for an open-faced sandwich.
- Use Cheddar Zucchini Waffles as slices of bread and serve as a sandwich.
- Serve alongside Creamy Mashed Cauliflower.
- Serve on top of Keto Zucchini Fritters.
- Add eggs and some keto pancakes for a delicious brunch!
Easy Keto Reuben Casserole
Ingredients
Keto Russian Dressing
- 1/3 cup (74.67 g) mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp finely diced dill pickles
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tsp Swerve Brown, or other sweetener
- 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) ground cumin
- 1/8 tsp (0.13 tsp) ground cloves
Reuben Casserole
- 2 tbsp salted butter
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) caraway seeds
- 4 cups (280 g) finely shredded cabbage
- 1 cup (142 g) sauerkraut, drained
- 12 oz (340.2 g) corned beef, coarsely chopped
- 6 oz (170.1 g) sliced Swiss cheese
Instructions
Keto Russian Dressing
- Whisk all of the dressing ingredients together in a medium bowl until well combined. Set aside.
Casserole
- In a 10-inch skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, add the caraway seeds and toast for about 30 seconds.
- Add the cabbage and toss to coat in the butter. Sauté until tender, 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add the sauerkraut and toss to combine. Spread the mixture evenly over the bottom of the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Top the sauerkraut with the corned beef and drizzle with the Russian dressing. Arrange the slices of Swiss cheese to cover everything. Cover the skillet and cook for 5 minutes until the cheese is melted.
Nutrition
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“The Reuben” has always been my favorite sandwich, so although a bit skeptical, I was anxious to give this a try. I was amazed at how easy and quickly this went together, and how flavorful, filling, and satisfying this Reuben casserole was. It definitely did NOT disappoint. I truly can’t wait to share this recipe.
My husband and I love this recipe. This will be a favorite of ours every St. Patrick’s Day. If corned beef is available more often, I will definitely make it more frequently. I cooked a corned beef in the slow cooker, and then followed your recipe. Simply wonderful and so flavorful. Thanks, Carolyn!
That’s wonderful!
Just made it for dinner tonight. Really delicious. I miss reubens, since I can’t order them in a resaurant anymore (gluten free and low carb diet). This hit the spot. I will be making it again.
OMG Carolyn this is fantastic! Reubens are my favorite sandwich, but restaurants don’t put enough filling in them! Thank you so much, I have been missing these flavors!
Thanks so much!
Another winner!
Great dish.
This was so good! It was a quick and easy dish to make, and the flavor was spot on. The only problem is that it’s really difficult to only have one serving.
I’ve been wanting to make this for awhile. Worth the wait!! Really delicious! Thank you ☺️
Made this last night for supper and will definitely be keeping it in my rotation. Both my husband and myself loved it. Yum!
Does this reheat easily?? I grew up on corned beef sandwiches and love everything in your recipe. My husband would choose not to taste it so lots of meals for me. Thank you.
Please read the blog post as I addressed that already! 🙂 Under the FAQ
Ok. That’s the best keto dish I’ve had yet!! And I’ve been on keto for 6 weeks. My husband said we need that on repeat! thanks
Made this tonight…..loved it! I did leave out the caraway……my husband doesn’t like them. But it was still a ⭐️!
Having it for St. Patrick’s Day! I didn’t have the seeds, but I tried the finished product, and wow, it is so delicious!
This is a favorite recipe in our house. It’s delicious and a perfect Reuben. Five stars!