What is a redneck Reuben?

A redneck Reuben is a playful twist on the classic Reuben sandwich, made with typical “redneck” ingredients. The traditional Reuben sandwich consists of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian or Thousand Island dressing grilled between slices of rye bread. A redneck Reuben swaps out some of the customary ingredients for items more associated with Southern/country cooking. The result is a fried, breaded, saucy, hearty, and indulgent sandwich perfect for any redneck foodie.

History of the Reuben Sandwich

Before we can fully understand the redneck Reuben, it helps to learn about the background of the original Reuben. While the exact origins are debated, most food historians agree the Reuben sandwich first appeared in the 1920s. Several stories circulate about who invented it, but Reuben Kulakofsky is the most widely credited source. Kulakofsky was a Lithuanian-American grocer who ran a weekly poker game above one of his New York delis. The sandwich was allegedly created during one of these poker nights by combining leftovers together for a hearty snack.

The ingredients Kulakofsky had on hand included corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing. He grilled the sandwich on rye bread and named it after himself – the Reuben. The sandwich grew in popularity when a wholesale grocer named Arnold Reuben began serving it at his restaurant in the 1940s. Its fame spread, cementing it as a staple menu item across delis and diners nationwide.

Ingredients in a Traditional Reuben

Here are the typical ingredients that go into a classic Reuben sandwich:

• Sliced corned beef
• Swiss cheese
• Sauerkraut
• Russian or Thousand Island dressing
• Buttered and grilled rye bread

The saltiness of the corned beef pairs wonderfully with the creaminess of the Swiss and the tangy zip of the sauerkraut. Russian dressing adds an extra layer of flavor with its combination of mayonnaise and ketchup. Grilling the sandwich on rye bread provides a perfect crunch and toasty aroma. These components stack together for a satisfying hot sandwich full of flavors and textures.

What Makes a Sandwich Redneck?

Redneck cuisine is inspired by rural, Southern-style cooking. It often features foods commonly found at state fairs, rodeos, tailgate parties, and other country gatherings. Typical redneck fare includes lots of meat, potatoes, cheese, gravy, and fried foods. Here are some characteristics of a redneck-approved meal:

• Breaded and fried meat
• Cheap beer
• Shared appetizer platters
• Game meats like venison or squirrel
• Canned or pickled vegetables
• Boxed macaroni and cheese
• Frozen or pre-made casseroles
• Biscuits and gravy
• Mason jar drinks
• Simple spices like salt, pepper, ketchup, hot sauce

With this context in mind, we can start swapping in redneck ingredients to transform a Reuben into a redneck Reuben sandwich.

Key Differences in a Redneck Reuben

While keeping some core elements like bread and cheese, a redneck Reuben diverges from the original version in a few key ways:

Traditional Reuben	Redneck Reuben
Corned beef	Fried chicken, pork tenderloin, or other breaded/fried meat
Russian dressing	BBQ sauce or ranch dressing
Sauerkraut	Coleslaw
Swiss cheese	Cheddar or American cheese
Grilled on rye bread	Served on white bread or biscuits

Let’s examine each modification in more detail:

Meat

Instead of corned beef, a redneck Reuben showcases breaded and fried meat like chicken tenders, pork tenderloin, or even a chicken-fried steak. A juicy fried cutlet adds new flavors and textures that pair wonderfully with the other ingredients.

Sauce

Russian dressing is abandoned in favor of thicker, sweeter sauces more associated with Southern barbecue and cookouts. BBQ sauce and ranch dressing are two go-to options. The creamy, herby ranch acts as a cool complement to the hot fried meat, while tangy BBQ sauce brings plenty of sticky sweetness.

Vegetables

Sauerkraut gets swapped for creamy, mayo-based coleslaw made from shredded cabbage and carrots. The cooling crunch of the slaw balances the richness of the fried meat and melted cheese.

Cheese

Mild cheddar or American cheese become the melting cheese of choice instead of Swiss. Their familiar flavor acts as a comforting backdrop to the dynamic sauces and meats.

Bread

Finally, grilled rye bread transforms into simple sliced white bread or fluffy biscuits. Their soft, absorbent texture soaks up the meat juices and dripped sauces beautifully.

Sample Redneck Reuben Recipes

Now that we understand the concept, let’s look at some specific recipes for redneck Reuben sandwiches:

Fried Chicken Redneck Reuben

This recipe uses breaded fried chicken as the star ingredient:

• 2 fried chicken breast filets
• 4 slices white bread, toasted
• 4 slices cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup prepared coleslaw
• 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise

1. Fry the chicken filets by dipping them in egg then breadcrumbs and frying in oil for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
2. Place 2 toasted white bread slices on a plate. Top each with a fried chicken cutlet, 2 slices of cheese, coleslaw and drizzle with BBQ sauce.
3. Spread mayo on the outsides of the remaining bread slices and place on top of the sandwiches.
4. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Fry each sandwich for 2-3 minutes per side until the bread is crispy and the cheese is fully melted.
5. Slice in half and serve warm.

Pork Tenderloin Redneck Reuben

This recipe substitutes breaded pork for the meat:

• 1 butterfly cut pork tenderloin (pounded 1/4 inch thick)
• 1/2 cup flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• Oil for frying
• 4 sesame seed hamburger buns
• 4 slices American cheese
• 1 cup prepared coleslaw
• 1/4 cup ranch dressing

1. Place the pounded pork tenderloin between 2 sheets of plastic wrap. Use a meat mallet to flatten further to 1/4 inch thickness.
2. Set up a breading station with flour, beaten eggs, and panko crumbs. Dredge the pork in flour, egg, then panko until evenly coated on both sides.
3. Heat 1/4 inch oil in a skillet. Fry the breaded pork 3-4 minutes per side until crispy and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
4. Split the hamburger buns and toast. Build each sandwich with fried pork, American cheese, coleslaw, and ranch dressing. Serve warm.

Chicken Fried Steak Redneck Reuben

For this hearty version, chicken-fried steak stands in for corned beef:

• 2 chicken-fried steaks
• 4 slices Texas toast
• 4 slices cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup prepared coleslaw
• 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise

1. Prepare the chicken fried steaks by dredging in flour, egg wash, then breadcrumbs and frying until golden and cooked through.
2. Place each cutlet on a slice of Texas toast. Top with cheddar, coleslaw and BBQ sauce.
3. Spread mayo on the second toast slice and place on top of each sandwich.
4. Butter the outsides of the sandwiches. Grill in a skillet 2-3 minutes per side until the bread is crispy.
5. Slice sandwiches in half and serve immediately.

Tips for the Best Redneck Reuben

Here are some helpful tips for getting optimal flavor and texture in your redneck Reuben creations:

• Pound chicken or meat thinly for quick, even frying.
• Let fried foods drain on a paper towel-lined plate before assembling.
• Butter or mayo the outside bread for extra crispy grilled crust.
• Use iceberg or green leaf lettuce in coleslaw for crispness.
• Flavor coleslaw with a Southern-style dressing like ranch or mayo-based.
• Slice pickles thin and layer on sandwich for extra crunch.
• Sweeten coleslaw with a bit of sugar or apple cider vinegar.
• Skewer sandwich halves together with frilly toothpicks for serving.
• Serve with traditional sides like potato chips, fries, or onion rings.

Conclusion

A redneck Reuben takes the taste of an old school deli favorite and gives it a country cookout twist. Swapping the standard ingredients for breaded fried meat, creamy slaw, barbecue sauce, and cheddar cheese between slices of white bread creates a hearty, indulgent sandwich perfect for any Southern food lover. While staying true to the original profile of flavors and textures, the redneck Reuben lets regional comfort foods shine. Next time you fire up the skillet, give this fun remix a try!