Let’s be honest: a Reuben is a bully on a plate. It’s salty, sour, rich, and tangy all at once. If you just plop it down alone on a plate, it feels like a rock star without a microphone—technically there, but missing the show.
A lonely Reuben is a tragedy. It cries out for a supporting actor, a sidekick, a Robin to its Batman. And that sidekick must be crispy, tangy, or sweet to cut through the fatty, beefy chaos. We’re not looking for a side that just sits there; we need a side that fights back.
Pickles: The Spear of Destiny
Let’s start with the obvious, the hall-of-famer: dill pickles. A spear or two of crisp, cold dill pickle is the Reuben’s unofficial best friend. The vinegar cuts through the Russian dressing like a tiny, delicious sword.
Did you know that the average American eats about 8.5 pounds of pickles per year? I’m convinced Reuben enthusiasts account for at least three of those pounds. It’s not a Reuben meal; it’s a pickle-and-sandwich situation.
A bad pickle? A limp, mushy, sweet bread-and-butter pickle is a war crime next to a Reuben. Stick to the dill—cold, crunchy, and aggressively sour. Your taste buds will thank you.
Potato Chips: The Crunchy Chaos
Now, let’s talk about the lazy genius option: a pile of potato chips. Not fancy kettle chips, mind you. We’re talking about the classic, salty, thin chips that shatter when you bite them.
This is the “I’m too tired to cook” move, and it’s brilliant. You get a salty, crispy counterpoint to the soft, melty sandwich. Plus, you can use a chip to scoop up any escaping sauerkraut—that’s just physics.
Fun fact: The inventor of the potato chip was so annoyed by a customer who complained about “thick, soggy fries” that he sliced them paper-thin. He was probably angry he forgot to order a Reuben. Chip and Reuben: a partnership born from accidental genius.
The Ultimate Reuben Sandwich Recipe 🥪 - kitchenNest
French Fries: The Overachiever
Then there’s the fry. Not just any fry—a waffle fry or a curly fry. The standard shoestring is too fragile. You need a fry that can stand up to the Reuben’s gravitational pull.
Dip that fry in the leftover Russian dressing on your plate? That’s not a side dish; that’s a religious experience. But be warned: fries take up stomach real estate. You might have to unbutton your pants before the last bite.
Pro tip: Skip the ketchup. Use the fry to mop up the dressing. It’s a flavor marriage that’s more stable than most celebrity couples.
Potato Salad: The Cold Shoulder
Here’s a controversial take: a scoop of German-style potato salad is a sleeper hit. It’s warm, tangy with vinegar and mustard, and speckled with bacon. It’s basically a cousin to the Reuben’s ingredients.
But beware of the American-style mayo-heavy potato salad. That’s a creamy, bland mess that will just make the sandwich feel greasy. You wouldn’t put a sweater on a shark, so don’t put creamy potato salad next to a Reuben.
German potato salad is the cool, rebellious cousin who shows up on a motorcycle. It gets the job done.
Delicious Reuben Sandwich with Homemade Russian Dressing Recipe
Coleslaw: The Tangy Tango
Coleslaw? Yes, but not the heavy, mayo-drenched kind. A vinegar-based coleslaw, crispy and sharp, is a perfect partner. It’s like the sauerkraut’s hipper, raw cousin.
Imagine the crunch: coleslaw on one side, the Reuben’s grilled rye on the other. It’s a symphony of textures. And if you’re feeling wild, put a little slaw on the sandwich. Boom—you’ve just invented a Reuben slaw burger. You’re welcome.
Mac and Cheese: The Heart Attack Express
Look, if you’re already eating a Reuben, you’ve thrown caution to the wind. So why not sides with mac and cheese? It’s the double-fistpump of comfort food.
The creamy pasta fights the mustard tang inside the sandwich, and it’s a glorious, dairy-fueled war. But be warned: this combo is scientifically proven to cause a “food coma” that lasts until Tuesday. Napkins mandatory. Naps optional.
The Final Verdict: Pick Your Fighter
In the end, the perfect side dish for a Reuben is a matter of personal courage. Do you want a crisp, acidic partner (pickle)? A salty, shatter-y crunch (chips)? Or a creamy, cheesy hug (mac)?
My advice? Order the Reuben, get the waffle fries, steal a pickle from your friend’s plate, and call it a day. You’ll be full, happy, and slightly sweating—which is the official state of Reuben enjoyment.
Now go forth, sandwich warrior. And don’t forget a napkin. Or two. Or a fire hose.
