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
Nutritional Disclaimer
Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.
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I used locally made kimchi instead of sauerkraut and THIS SMELLS SO GOOD. can’t wait for lunches this week!
So good we made it twice!
Great to hear!
Havent made this yet just wondered if someone could answer a question for me. I have made Reuben casserole before but always use a low-carb version of thousand island dressing, which is what I remember my mom using on her Reuben sandwich is growing up. Is Russian dressing the same or similar to thousand island tastewise?
Very similar.
We made this for dinner last night and it was SO GOOD! We’ve been in a rut with the same ole things, and this was something different and delicious! Thank you Carolyn!
Looks aw! I have c e a corned beef in the freezer that I need to cook. Has anyone frozen this cooked casserole for a make ahead dinner?
I’ve made this so many times, I’ve lost count! One of my favorite go-to recipes. I’ve also used turkey pastrami, which is tender and delicious.
I’m not a pure Keto-ist, and still eat an occasional sandwich. I didn’t miss the bread with this casserole, but next time will double the sauerkraut and double the dressing, as I like a “messy” Reuben. Very easy to pull together.
Delicious!