Let me introduce you to Hot Reuben Dip—a warm, cheesy, melty dip with all of the flavors of the sandwich, in a ridiculously easy dip form. Make it in the oven or the slow cooker - just make it!
If you love a good Reuben sandwich but don’t have time to assemble, grill, and babysit one, you're gonna want this appetizer recipe.
But be warned, reuben dip disappears fast—whether you’re serving it at a Super Bowl party or a casual family gathering. I learned the hard way that one batch is never enough.
Why you'll love this recipe
The first time I made this dip, I set it out before a meal, thinking it would last at least until I had the main dish ready.
Nope. I turned my back to grab a drink, and when I looked again, my family had practically licked the bowl clean. Lesson learned: always make a double batch.
Now, this dip has a permanent place in my recipe collection, and I love how flexible it is. You can make it in the oven for a quick fix or let the slow cooker do the work if you want to keep things extra easy. Either way, it’s always a hit!
To recap. Hot reuben dip is
- Ridiculously easy – Just mix, heat, and serve. It's the perfect recipe for leftover corned beef.
- A crowd-pleaser – Perfect for game days, potlucks, and family get-togethers.
- Flexible – Make it in the oven or slow cooker.
- Tasty - it's like a Reuben sandwich—without the hassle!
Tip: You can also use leftover corned beef to make this reuben casserole!
Ingredients
Here's what you need to grab from your fridge or grocery store to make this cheesy dip.
- cream cheese - In my opinion, this is a key to all things creamy and delicious. You can use full fat cream cheese or a lower fat variety (sometimes called Neufchatel cheese).
- mayonnaise, ketchup, pickle relish - basically we are making our own thousand island dressing because we have these ingredients in your fridge. Use what you've got, I say! The mayo makes it creamy, the other ingredients give the tangy, classic reuben flavor we know and love. Russian dressing will also work as a substituion.
- Swiss cheese - This mild cheese plays well with others here! It's slightly nutty and sweet, but not too sharp, making it a great choice for balancing out the rich flavors of all things reuben.
- sliced corned beef - Head to the deli counter in your grocery store and ask them to slice it a bit thicker than sandwich style. You'll chop it into bite size pieces. Or use up that Dutch oven corned beef leftover corned beef from St. Patrick’s Day leftovers! Pastrami can also be used as an alternative.
- sauerkraut - You can use canned, jarred, or bagged sauerkraut here. Be sure to squeeze it dry (trust me, we don’t want watery dip)
- cocktail bread such as rye or pumpernickel - I like to serve me reuben dip on this, but you can also use crackers. Or a spoon, that works too!
- green onions - if you want to make it look extra pretty on top
The beauty of this dip? You’ve got options. Choose between the oven or the slow cooker, depending on your time frame and energy level (or how soon your people will start circling the kitchen).
How to Make Reuben Dip
If you need this dip ready now, baking is the way to go. Before you get started, preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Step 1: Add everything in a medium bowl. A few tips for you:
- Soften cream cheese before you get started.
- Drain and squeeze the sauerkraut. I like to put it in a paper towel and squeeze it over the sink. Then chop it up into little pieces.
- Step 2: Stir everything together, making sure all the ingredients are well blended.
- Step 3: Spread the mixture into a baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes, until it’s bubbly and golden brown on top.
- Step 4: Serve hot with your favorite dippers!
Tip: Feeling fancy? Top it with green onions.
Slow Cooker Method (For the Set-It-and-Forget-It Crowd)
This is my go-to for parties or busy days when I want the dip to stay warm for hours.
Want To Save This Recipe For Later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later!
Dump all ingredients into a slow cooker. Stir to combine, then cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. Switch to the "warm" setting for serving, so the dip stays hot and scoopable. Is that a word? Let's go with that.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
This dip is like a blank canvas—you can get creative with how you serve it!
- Mini rye toast or baguette slices – If you want to go all in on the Reuben experience.
- Rye crackers – Classic and sturdy enough to hold up to all that cheesy goodness.
- Pretzels – Because salty + cheesy = heaven.
- Tortilla chips – Not traditional, but hey, they work! Soft pretzel bites are pretty tasty, too.
- Celery or bell pepper strips – For those pretending to eat healthy.
Storage Instructions
The Hot Reuben Dip can be stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Just be sure to cover it tightly to maintain its freshness.
Make Ahead Tips
We are busy people, so here's how you can prep this dip ahead of time?
Slow cooker tip: If you’re starting with a cold mixture, add an extra 30 minutes to the cooking time.
The night before: Mix everything together, cover, and store it in the fridge.
Oven tip: Let it sit at room temp for 15 minutes before baking so it heats evenly.
Can You Freeze Hot Reuben Dip?
Yeah, no....More midwestern words have never been said 😉 Let’s chat.
Dairy-based dips can be a little unpredictable after freezing. The flavor will still be amazing, but the texture might change slightly when reheated. If you must freeze it:
- Store in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
- Thaw in the fridge overnight.
- Reheat gently in the oven or slow cooker, stirring well to smooth it out.
Pro Tip: If the dip looks a little separated after thawing, stir in a little extra cream cheese while reheating to bring it back to life!
Final Thoughts
If you make this Hot Reuben Dip, be prepared for people to hover around the dish like seagulls at a beach picnic. It’s that good! My family loves it, and I’m betting yours will, too.
So go ahead—whip up a batch (or two), grab your favorite dippers, and enjoy a little taste of a classic Reuben sandwich… in dip form!
Other appetizer recipes for dipping
Hot Reuben Dip
Ingredients
- 8 ounce package cream cheese softened
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tablespoons ketchup
- 1 Tablespoon sweet pickle relish
- 4 ounces Swiss cheese grated
- 1 cup deli corned beef chopped or use leftover corned beef
- ½ cup sauerkraut drained and chopped
- 3 green onions green part only chopped, optional for garnish
Want To Save This Recipe For Later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later!
Instructions
To make in the oven
- Preheat oven to 350° F. In a large bowl, combine 8 ounce package cream cheese , ½ cup mayonnaise, 2 Tablespoons ketchup, 1 Tablespoon sweet pickle relish, 4 ounces Swiss cheese, 1 cup deli corned beef chopped and ½ cup sauerkraut.
- Mix well too combine all the ingredients. Transfer to a greased medium sized casserole dish and spread evenly.
- Cover with foil and cook for 30 minutes or until warm and bubbly.
- Top with 3 green onions green part only, if desired. Serve with veggies, crackers or tortilla chips.
Notes
- Serve with toasted rye bread, crackers, or pretzels.
- 1 package cocktail bread such as rye or pumpernickel
- Pair with celery or bell pepper strips for a low-carb option.
Nutrition
This Farm Girl Cooks is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Leave a Reply