Beer-Braised Mini Reubens: Crispy, Melty, and Soaked in Malty Goodness

— A Pub-Style Twist on the Classic Sandwich

Beer-Braised Mini Reubens shrink down the iconic deli sandwich into snackable sliders with extra beer-soaked flair.

Corned beef is gently simmered in malty beer until tender and juicy, then layered onto mini rye or pumpernickel bread with melty Swiss, tangy kraut, and a swipe of Thousand Island.

Griddled until golden and gooey, they’re the ultimate party bite — crispy, savory, and dripping with flavor.

Ingredients (Makes 12 sliders)

For the Beer-Braised Corned Beef

• ½ lb sliced corned beef (from the deli or cooked leftovers)
• ½ cup beer (Vienna lager, amber ale, or bock — malty and smooth)
• 1 tbsp whole grain mustard
• 1 tbsp butter or oil

For Assembly

• 12 slices cocktail rye or mini sandwich bread (rye or pumpernickel)
• 1 cup sauerkraut, drained
• 6 slices Swiss cheese, halved
• ¼ cup Thousand Island dressing (or Russian dressing)
• Butter for toasting

Instructions

Step 1: Beer-Braise the Corned Beef

1. In a skillet, melt butter and add the corned beef.
2. Stir in beer and mustard. Simmer over medium-low for 5–7 minutes, until most of the beer has reduced and the meat is tender and juicy.
3. Set aside and keep warm.

Step 2: Build the Sliders

1. Spread a thin layer of Thousand Island on half the bread slices.
2. Top with a spoonful of sauerkraut, a layer of corned beef, and a half-slice of Swiss cheese.
3. Top with the second slice of bread.

Step 3: Toast and Melt

1. Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Butter the outsides of each sandwich.
2. Grill sandwiches for 2–3 minutes per side, pressing lightly, until golden brown and cheese is melted.
3. Keep warm in a low oven if making a batch.

Step 4: Serve Hot

1. Serve immediately with pickles, mustard, or extra dressing on the side.
2. Perfect for party trays, game day spreads, or beer pairing boards.

Flavor Variations

• Use pastrami instead of corned beef for smoky depth
• Swap kraut for beer-braised red cabbage
• Add a dash of horseradish to the dressing for extra kick
• Use pretzel slider buns or marble rye for variety

Beer Pairing

In the Braise

• Vienna lager, amber ale, or bock — malty and mellow
• Avoid bitter or sour beers — they clash with kraut and cheese

In Your Glass

• Märzen, brown ale, or dunkelweizen for rich, toasted pairing
• Pilsner or cream ale to lighten the richness
• Dry Irish stout or schwarzbier for roasted contrast

Final Thoughts

Beer-Braised Mini Reubens are everything great about the deli classic — hot meat, tangy kraut, melted cheese — shrunk down and beer-blessed for peak snackability. Whether you’re serving a crowd or hoarding a plate for yourself, they hit all the salty, cheesy, crispy notes you want.

Mini sandwich. Major flavor. Beer in the pan and in the pint. 🥪🍺🔥

More Not-So-Healthy Beer Snacks 🍻

Deep-fried, beer-battered, cheesy, and gloriously greasy — these over-the-top snack recipes are made for game days, pub nights, or cheat-day cravings. Grab a cold one and dig in.

🧀 Deep-Fried Beer Cheese Balls – Crispy outside, molten beer cheese inside — party-perfect bites.
🥓 Beer-Battered Bacon Strips – Smoky, salty bacon wrapped in golden beer batter.
🧅 Beer Battered Onion Rings – Extra-crunchy rings with a deep beer flavor.
🧄 Beer Cheese Pull-Apart Bread – Gooey, garlicky bread loaded with beer cheese pockets.
🍗 Beer-Glazed Chicken Wings – Sticky, crispy wings with a bold beer glaze.
🌮 Beer Nachos Supreme – Stacked high with beer-infused queso and all the fixings.
🍩 Beer Donuts (Fried + Glazed) – Deep-fried donuts with a sweet beer glaze finish.
🧀 Beer Mac & Cheese Bites (Fried) – Creamy beer mac, breaded and fried into crispy bites.
🥨 Beer Pretzel Bites with Beer Cheese Dip – Soft pretzel nuggets with rich beer cheese on the side.
🧆 Beer Brat Sliders – Juicy beer-braised brats on slider buns with tangy toppings.
🥜 Guinness Beer Nuts – caramelized nuts roasted in dark, malty Guinness.

Explore Our Top Cooking-with-Beer Recipes 🍺 🍺

From crispy beer-battered classics to bold mains, cheesy dips, breads, and even desserts — these roundups bring together the best of beer-infused cooking. Whether you’re hosting a game day, planning a backyard BBQ, or just experimenting in the kitchen, there’s a beer recipe collection for every craving.

• 🍽️ Cooking with Beer (Main Hub) – Your ultimate guide to cooking with beer, from mains to apps and desserts.
• 🥨 Beer-Battered Appetizers and Sides – – Crispy onion rings, fried pickles, mushrooms, zucchini, & more pub-style favorites with a golden beer crunch.
• 🍞 Beer Bread Recipes – From 2-ingredient quick breads to jalapeño cheese loaves.
• 🧀 Beer Cheese & Dips – Beer cheese soup, queso, nachos, ranch dip & more.
• 🍖 Beer Can Chicken & Grilled Mains – Bold, juicy recipes straight from the grill.
• 🌶️ Beer Infused Chili’s – Hearty, bold, and slow-simmered beer-infused chili.
• 🍻 Beer Mac & Cheese – Creamy, quick& easy, made to impress.
• 🍰 Beer-Infused Desserts & Sweets – Sweet treats made better with beer.
• 🎉 Oktoberfest & Seasonal Ideas – Perfect pairings for parties, fall feasts, and festive gatherings.