Welcome to the ultimate guide for crafting a truly exceptional Slow Cooker Reuben Dip – a warm, hearty appetizer that effortlessly captures the iconic flavors of the beloved Reuben sandwich. If you’re anything like my husband, whose affection for Reuben sandwiches knows no bounds, then you’re in for a real treat. This recipe takes everything you adore about that classic deli sandwich – the savory corned beef, the tangy sauerkraut, the rich Swiss cheese, and the unmistakable Thousand Island dressing (or a delightful approximation of its essence) – and transforms it into an incredibly easy-to-make, crowd-plepleasing dip, all with the magical simplicity of a crockpot.
For those who love entertaining, or simply enjoy a delicious, fuss-free meal, the slow cooker is an absolute game-changer. It allows you to create delectable appetizers and main dishes with minimal hands-on time, freeing you up to enjoy your guests or relax after a busy day. This Reuben Dip Crock Pot Recipe is a shining example of this convenience. It’s not just delicious; it’s ridiculously easy to prepare, making it a perfect choice for parties, game day gatherings, holiday celebrations, or even a cozy family dinner where everyone can gather around and dip to their heart’s content.
Unlocking the Ultimate Flavor: Your Guide to Crock Pot Reuben Dip
The Reuben sandwich is a masterpiece of flavors and textures, and replicating that experience in a dip requires a careful balance. Our slow cooker version achieves this beautifully, blending the key components into a warm, gooey, and irresistible appetizer. The gentle heat of the crockpot ensures that the cheese melts perfectly, the corned beef becomes tender, and the sauerkraut infuses its tangy essence throughout the dip without overwhelming it. The result is a savory, satisfying dip that’s wonderfully addictive and surprisingly sophisticated for its ease of preparation.
Why Choose a Slow Cooker for Your Reuben Dip?
There are numerous reasons why the slow cooker is the ideal vessel for this delightful Reuben dip. Firstly, convenience is paramount. Simply combine your ingredients, set it, and forget it for a few hours. This hands-off approach is perfect for busy hosts or anyone looking to minimize kitchen time. Secondly, the slow, even heat of the crockpot allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, creating a deeper, richer taste than traditional stove-top methods. The cheese melts into a smooth, creamy consistency, and the corned beef softens to perfection, all while staying warm and ready for serving for hours, making it ideal for extended gatherings. No more rushing to reheat a dip that’s gone cold!
Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Reuben Dip
Crafting this incredible Reuben Dip requires a few key components, each playing a vital role in achieving that authentic flavor profile. Here’s what you’ll need and why:
- Sauerkraut: This is the tangy heart of any Reuben. Make sure to choose a good quality sauerkraut and, most importantly, drain it thoroughly. Excess liquid can make your dip watery.
- Shredded Swiss Cheese: The creamy, nutty flavor of Swiss cheese is indispensable. Shredding it yourself from a block will often yield a better melt and flavor than pre-shredded varieties, which sometimes contain anti-caking agents.
- Corned Beef Lunchmeat: While you could use leftover cooked corned beef, high-quality deli-sliced corned beef, cut into small pieces, offers excellent flavor and convenience. It’s the meaty star that defines the Reuben.
- Butter: Melted butter adds richness and helps create a smooth, cohesive dip, enhancing the overall texture and mouthfeel.
- Egg: A beaten egg acts as a binder, helping to emulsify the dip and give it a slightly firmer, more scoopable consistency once cooked. It prevents the dip from separating as it heats.
And for dipping, don’t forget toasted rye bread – the classic pairing! You can also offer a variety of crackers to cater to all preferences.
For the best results and ultimate peace of mind, we highly recommend using a Crockpot with a digital timer. This feature allows you to set the cooking time and automatically switches the slow cooker to a “warm” setting once cooking is complete. This ensures your dip is perfectly cooked without overdoing it, and stays at an ideal serving temperature, allowing you to focus on enjoying your event without constantly checking the clock.
Top Tips for the Perfect Reuben Dip Crock Pot Appetizer
To ensure your Slow Cooker Reuben Dip is nothing short of spectacular, keep these expert tips in mind:
- Drain Your Sauerkraut Meticulously: This step cannot be overstated. Excess liquid from the sauerkraut is the enemy of a perfectly textured dip. Squeeze out as much moisture as humanly possible, perhaps even pressing it between layers of paper towels, to prevent a soggy dip bottom.
- Consistent Stirring for Even Distribution: If you’re serving directly from your slow cooker, give the dip a good stir every 30-45 minutes. This helps distribute the corned beef and cheese evenly throughout the mixture, preventing any settling and ensuring every scoop is packed with flavor. It also helps dissipate any moisture that might collect at the bottom.
- The Best Dippers Make the Dip: While toasted rye bread is the traditional and arguably best accompaniment, don’t limit yourself! A mix of light and dark rye bread, toasted and cut into small squares, adds visual appeal and varied texture. For guests with dietary restrictions or simply different preferences, offer a selection of sturdy crackers, pretzel crisps, or even vegetable sticks like carrots and celery.
- Get Creative with Leftovers: If by some miracle you have any leftover Reuben dip, consider yourself lucky! It makes an absolutely incredible grilled cheese sandwich. Simply spread the leftover dip between two slices of rye bread, add an extra slice of Swiss cheese for maximum gooeyness, and grill until golden brown and melted. It’s a game-changer for lunch the next day!
- Enhance the Creaminess: For an even richer, creamier dip, consider adding a block of softened cream cheese or a dollop of sour cream to the mixture along with the other ingredients. This will add an extra layer of decadence and smoothness.
- Spice it Up (or Down): While the classic Reuben flavor is king, you can always adjust to your preference. A pinch of black pepper or a dash of hot sauce can add a subtle kick. For a touch of that classic Russian dressing flavor, a tablespoon or two of ketchup or chili sauce can be mixed in.
Serving Suggestions and Variations
Beyond the classic rye bread and crackers, there are many ways to serve and enjoy this versatile dip:
- Mini Reuben Bites: Serve the dip in small ramekins with tiny toasted rye rounds for individual servings.
- Loaded Baked Potatoes: Spoon the warm dip over baked potatoes for a hearty and flavorful twist.
- Stuffed Mushrooms: Fill large mushroom caps with the dip and bake until tender for an elegant appetizer.
- Reuben Sliders: Use the dip as a topping for mini burger sliders, perhaps even adding a small pickle slice.
You can also experiment with different types of cheese, like Gruyere or Emmentaler, for a slightly varied flavor profile, or even try pastrami instead of corned beef for a different take on the deli classic.
Make Ahead and Storage
This Reuben Dip is fantastic for making ahead! You can assemble all the ingredients in your crockpot insert (without cooking) and refrigerate it overnight. The next day, simply pop the insert into the slow cooker and begin cooking. Cooked leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or back in the slow cooker on the “warm” setting until heated through, stirring occasionally.
Frequently Asked Questions About Reuben Dip
Q: Can I use fresh corned beef instead of lunch meat?
A: Absolutely! If you have leftover cooked corned beef from a holiday meal, chop it into small pieces and use it. It will add an even more robust flavor and texture to the dip. Just ensure it’s cooked and shredded or diced appropriately.
Q: What if I don’t like sauerkraut? Can I omit it?
A: While sauerkraut is a signature flavor of the Reuben, if you truly dislike it, you can reduce the amount or try rinsing it very well before draining to mellow its tanginess. However, omitting it entirely will change the dip significantly, moving it away from the classic Reuben profile. You might consider a different dip recipe if sauerkraut is a deal-breaker.
Q: My dip seems a bit thin, what can I do?
A: Ensure your sauerkraut was thoroughly drained; this is often the culprit. If the dip is still too thin after cooking, you can try mixing in a tablespoon of cornstarch dissolved in a little cold water and cooking for another 15-30 minutes until it thickens. Alternatively, add a bit more shredded Swiss cheese or some cream cheese to thicken it up.
Q: Can this recipe be doubled for a large party?
A: Yes, this recipe doubles beautifully! Just make sure you have a larger slow cooker (at least 6-quart capacity) to accommodate the increased volume. You might also need to slightly extend the cooking time, but keep an eye on it to prevent overcooking.
More Irresistible Slow Cooker Appetizers
If you’ve fallen in love with the ease and deliciousness of this Crockpot Reuben Dip, you’ll be thrilled to explore more slow cooker appetizer recipes perfect for any occasion:
- Bacon Blue Cheese Dip
- Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Onion Dip
- Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings
- Chili Cheese Dip
Be sure to check out our entire collection of Crockpot Appetizer Recipes for even more inspiration! And for all your culinary adventures, explore our copycat recipes, dessert recipes, and an abundance of Crock Pot Recipes.
Reuben Dip Crock Pot Recipe
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Ingredients
- 32 Ounce sauerkraut drained very well
- 2 cups Swiss Cheese shredded
- 7 Ounce Corned Beef deli lunch meat, cut into small pieces
- ½ cup Butter melted
- 1 egg beaten
- Rye bread, toasted for dipping, or crackers
Instructions
- Begin by preparing your ingredients: Cut the corned beef lunch meat into small strips or chunks, thoroughly drain the sauerkraut, melt the butter, and beat the egg until well combined.
- In the basin of your slow cooker, combine the drained sauerkraut, shredded Swiss cheese, cut corned beef, melted butter, and beaten egg. Stir all ingredients gently until they are well mixed.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 2 hours, or until the cheese is completely melted, bubbly, and the dip is heated through. Stir occasionally during cooking to ensure even melting and distribution of ingredients.
- While the dip is cooking, prepare your dippers. Toast rye bread and cut it into squares or triangles, or arrange a selection of your favorite crackers on a serving platter. Once the dip is ready, serve warm directly from the slow cooker with the toasted rye bread and crackers on the side. Enjoy!
Kitchen Tools
- Slow cooker
Nutrition
Calories from Fat 108
Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together or simply craving a comforting snack, this Slow Cooker Reuben Dip is guaranteed to be a hit. Its ease of preparation combined with its incredible flavor profile makes it a recipe you’ll want to revisit again and again. Enjoy the deliciousness!
Recipe originally shared on January 13, 2015. Updated October 2020.