Creamy Baked Reuben Dip (The Perfect Irish Appetizer)

There are some flavor combinations that are just legendary, and the classic Reuben is at the top of the list. That magical mix of savory corned beef, tangy sauerkraut, melted Swiss, and creamy dressing is pure comfort food genius. But what if you could take all of that incredible, crave-worthy flavor and transform it into a hot, bubbly, scoopable dip? That, my friends, is the brilliance of this recipe.

This Baked Reuben Dip is the ultimate party food. It’s a fantastic way to use up leftover corned beef from a St. Patrick’s Day feast, turning it into an appetizer that’s destined to be the star of any gathering. It’s a rich, cheesy, and deeply savory dip that has all the character of the iconic sandwich in every single bite.

Get ready to create the most addictive, cheesy, and unforgettable dip you’ll make all year.

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Why This Reuben Dip Will Be the Star of Your Party

You are going to be completely obsessed with this hot, cheesy, and incredibly flavorful dip. Here’s why it’s a guaranteed hit:

• All the Flavor of a Reuben Sandwich: This dip perfectly captures the iconic taste of a classic Reuben—savory, tangy, creamy, and cheesy—in a fun, shareable format.
• Incredibly Cheesy and Creamy: With a base of cream cheese and two layers of melted Swiss, this is the ultimate indulgent and satisfying hot dip.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: You can assemble the entire dip ahead of time and just bake it off when your guests arrive, making party day a breeze.
• Served with Homemade Chips: The homemade buttered pumpernickel and rye chips are the perfect sturdy, flavorful vehicle for scooping up every last bit of the dip.

Recipe Snapshot

Disclaimer: The nutrition information is an estimate and can vary based on the specific ingredients and quantities used.

Your Shopping List for This Epic Dip

This recipe uses a handful of high-impact ingredients to recreate that classic deli flavor.

→ For the Homemade Chips

• 6 oz. each of pumpernickel and rye cocktail bread → The perfect, sturdy base for our chips.
• 6 Tbsp. salted butter, melted → For getting the chips perfectly crisp and flavorful.

→ For the Creamy Reuben Dip

• 12 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature → The key to a smooth, creamy base.
• 1/2 cup Thousand Island dressing → The classic, tangy dressing for any Reuben.
• 2 Tbsp. grainy mustard → Adds a sharp, pungent kick.
• 1 Tbsp. caraway seeds, toasted → The signature flavor of rye bread, which perfumes the whole dip.
• 12 oz. Swiss cheese, grated and divided → For that classic, nutty, melty goodness.
• 1/2 lb. cooked halal corned beef or pastrami, roughly chopped → The savory, meaty heart of the dip.
• 1 cup sauerkraut, drained well → Provides that essential tangy crunch.
• 3/4 cup sour pickles, roughly chopped → For an extra pop of tangy, briny flavor.
• Fresh parsley, for serving → Adds a fresh, green finish.

Let’s Get Baking! Your Step-by-Step Guide

This impressive appetizer comes together in three simple stages: making the chips, mixing the dip, and baking to bubbly perfection!

Part 1: The Crispy Pumpernickel & Rye Chips

1. Prep the Oven and Pans: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Butter and Season: Cut each slice of the cocktail bread into 2 triangles. Divide them between the baking sheets. Brush the melted butter over both sides of each triangle and season lightly with salt and pepper.
3. Bake Until Crispy: Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the chips are crisp and lightly toasted. Let them cool completely on wire racks while you make the dip.

Part 2: Assemble the Dip

4. Mix the Creamy Base: In a medium bowl, stir together the room-temperature cream cheese, Thousand Island dressing, grainy mustard, toasted caraway seeds, salt, and pepper until well combined.
5. Fold in the Good Stuff: Gently mix in 8 ounces (about two-thirds) of the grated Swiss cheese, the chopped corned beef, the drained sauerkraut, and the chopped pickles until everything is evenly distributed.
6. Prep for Baking: Lightly coat a 1-quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Spread the dip mixture evenly into the dish and sprinkle the remaining 4 ounces of Swiss cheese on top.

Part 3: Bake, Broil, and Serve!

7. Bake Until Bubbly: Place the dish on the center rack of the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the dip is hot and bubbling around the edges.
8. The Golden Finish: For that beautiful, browned cheese topping, turn on the broiler. Watch it very carefully, as it should only take 1 to 2 minutes to get perfectly golden and bubbly.
9. Serve Immediately: Let the dip rest for a minute, then top with fresh parsley and serve immediately with your homemade chips for dipping.

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Creamy Baked Reuben Dip

The ultimate Irish appetizer! This creamy, cheesy baked Reuben Dip captures all the flavor of the classic sandwich. Made with corned beef, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut, it’s the perfect hot dip for any party, especially St. Patrick’s Day.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 10

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American, Irish-Inspired

Calories: 480

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Chips

• 6 oz. pumpernickel cocktail bread
• 6 oz. rye cocktail bread
• 6 Tbsp. salted butter, melted

For the Dip

• as needed Nonstick cooking spray
• 12 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/2 cup Thousand Island dressing
• 2 Tbsp. grainy mustard
• 1 Tbsp. caraway seeds, toasted
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 12 oz. Swiss cheese, grated, divided
• 1/2 lb. cooked halal corned beef or pastrami, roughly chopped
• 1 cup sauerkraut, drained well
• 3/4 cup sour pickles, roughly chopped
• as needed Parsley, finely chopped for serving

Equipment

• Baking Sheets
• Medium bowl
• 1-quart Baking Dish

Method

 

For the Chips

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cut each slice of bread into 2 triangles. Divide between the baking sheets, brush both sides with melted butter, and season lightly with salt and pepper.
3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until crisp. Let cool completely on wire racks.

For the Dip

1. Lightly coat a 1-quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the cream cheese, dressing, mustard, caraway seeds, salt, and pepper.
3. Gently mix in 8 ounces of Swiss cheese, corned beef, sauerkraut, and pickles.
4. Spread the mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the remaining 4 ounces of Swiss cheese on top.
5. Bake on the center rack until the dip is bubbling around the edges, 20 to 25 minutes.
6. Turn on the broiler and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, watching carefully, to brown the cheese. Serve immediately with the chips and top with parsley.

Notes

Make-Ahead Tip: The dip can be fully assembled (before baking) up to 2 days in advance. Cover and refrigerate, then add 5-10 minutes to the bake time.

Squeeze the Sauerkraut: To prevent a watery dip, make sure to squeeze out as much liquid as possible from the sauerkraut before mixing it in.

WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for the Best Reuben Dip

These simple pointers will help you nail this incredibly delicious and crowd-pleasing appetizer.

1. Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese. This is the most important step for a smooth, lump-free dip. Cold cream cheese is difficult to mix and will result in a chunky texture. Let it sit on the counter for at least an hour before you start.
2. Squeeze Your Sauerkraut Dry. Sauerkraut holds a lot of liquid. To prevent your dip from becoming watery, place the sauerkraut in a fine-mesh sieve and press down firmly with a spoon to squeeze out as much brine as possible.
3. Toast Your Caraway Seeds. Don’t skip this! Toasting the caraway seeds in a dry skillet for a minute or two over medium heat until they are fragrant awakens their aromatic oils and makes their flavor much more pronounced and delicious.
4. Grate Your Own Swiss Cheese. For the best, smoothest melt, buy a block of Swiss cheese and grate it yourself. Pre-shredded cheeses are coated in starches that can make your final dip slightly gritty.
5. Watch That Broiler! The final step of browning the cheese under the broiler happens in a flash. Do not walk away from the oven. Stay and watch it carefully to get that perfect golden-brown top without burning it.

Keep It Fresh! Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

This is the perfect make-ahead party dip. Here’s how to do it.

• Make-Ahead: You can fully assemble the dip (without the final cheese topping) up to 2 days in advance. Just spread it in the baking dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, add the top layer of cheese and bake as directed, adding about 5-10 extra minutes to the baking time. The chips can also be made a day ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
• Refrigerator: Store any leftover baked dip in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a 350°F oven until warm and bubbly.

FAQs: Your Reuben Dip Questions

Can I make this in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can! Combine all the dip ingredients (holding back the final 4 oz. of Swiss cheese) in a small slow cooker. Cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally, until hot and bubbly. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, cover, and cook for another 15 minutes until melted. You won’t get the browned top, but it will be delicious.

What can I use instead of corned beef?

Smoked halal turkey or pastrami are fantastic substitutes and will provide a similar savory, smoky flavor. You could also use leftover roast beef.

What should I serve with this dip besides the homemade chips?

This dip is very versatile! It’s wonderful with sturdy crackers, pretzel crisps, celery sticks, carrot sticks, or slices of bell pepper for a lower-carb option.

Can I prepare the components separately?

Absolutely. Chopping the corned beef, pickles, and grating the cheese ahead of time can make the final assembly take just minutes. Store each component in separate airtight containers in the fridge.

Final Thoughts: The Ultimate Party Starter

There is a special kind of joy in transforming the flavors of a beloved classic into a new, exciting, and shareable dish. This Creamy Baked Reuben Dip is a guaranteed show-stopper, a perfect centerpiece for a St. Patrick’s Day party, game day, or any occasion that calls for seriously good comfort food. It’s a dip that’s destined to become a legendary request among your friends and family. Enjoy!