Mini Reubens: The Perfect Slider Recipe for Your Next Party

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These irresistible sliders capture all the savory goodness of a classic Reuben sandwich in a bite-sized treat that’s sure to win over any crowd. Tender roast beef, tangy sauerkraut, melty Swiss cheese, and creamy Thousand Island dressing come together in perfect harmony to create a mouthwatering appetizer that’s perfect for parties, family gatherings, or a casual get-together with friends!

Okay, I’m seriously excited to share this one! When I say these Mini Reuben Sliders are my favorite food I’ve eaten in the past few months, I’m not exaggerating—trust me, I’ve made and devoured some pretty great food lately. A few weekends ago, I threw a St. Patrick’s Day-themed 22nd birthday party for my boyfriend, and I was on the hunt for simple, delicious food ideas that would satisfy a crowd. That’s when I stumbled upon Hawaiian roll sliders, and it was love at first bite.

Now, I don’t know if everyone feels this way, but to me, Reubens just scream St. Patrick’s Day—there’s something about them that feels so perfect for the occasion. And the rest, well, it’s history. These sliders were the hit of the party, and now I can’t stop making them!

Ingredients Notes:

• Roast Beef:I prefer to get all my meats chipped at the deli for that perfect texture, but you can absolutely go with traditional sliced roast beef—or whichever cut you prefer! I do want to mention, though, that grocery prices right now are no joke, and meat is no exception. For the party, I made this recipe using a full pound of roast beef, which I’d recommend, but if you’re making it for a weeknight dinner or trying to save a bit, the sliders in the photos here were made with just half a pound. Note: while Reubens are traditionally made with corned beef, either option works beautifully here, so feel free to use what you like best!

• Slider Buns: The Hawaiian rolls really make this recipe! While you can certainly use any rolls you prefer, the slight sweetness and soft, fluffy texture of Hawaiian rolls take these sliders to the next level. They perfectly complement the savory ingredients and add that extra touch of deliciousness that everyone will love.

• Swiss Cheese: For this recipe, full-fat sliced Swiss cheese is ideal. You’ll want your slices to be nice and thick, as it melts perfectly and adds that rich flavor. Don’t worry about getting it from the deli unless that’s your preference—Sargento Sliced Swiss Natural Cheese works just fine for this recipe. You can certainly use shredded cheese if you prefer, but I find that using slices makes assembling the sandwiches a lot easier and less messy.

• Sauerkraut: I know some people aren’t fans of sauerkraut, but trust me, it’s a must for this recipe. The tangy, salty flavor adds a delicious depth to the sandwiches, and it’s a key ingredient in traditional Reubens. Like I mentioned earlier, with grocery prices being a bit crazy right now, if you’re making this for a party or event, I’d recommend using the bags of sauerkraut. However, for this batch, I used canned sauerkraut, which works just as well! 

• Thousand Island Dressing: A must! Honestly, there’s not much more to say here—unless you want a dry sandwich, you definitely don’t want to skip this step!

• Everything But The Bagel Seasoning: I used this to top the sandwiches after brushing them with the butter mixture. It adds an extra layer of flavor and gives the sliders a beautiful, golden finish—perfect for that photo op!

How to Make Mini Reuben Sliders:

1. Preheat the oven to  350°F (175°C). I use disposable foil baking trays for this recipe for easy cleanup, but any deep tray about 9 x 13 will work perfectly. 

2. Most Hawaiian roll packages come pre-sliced, and for this recipe, I use the 24-roll packs. However, I’ve found that sometimes the slices aren’t cut all the way through. If you run into this issue, just keep the rolls in one piece and carefully cut them in half. Note: I totally messed this up the first time I made these—cutting way too close to the bottom of the rolls—but everything still turned out delicious, so don’t stress if it happens to you!

3. Once you’ve placed the bottom half of the buns in your tray, spread a generous layer of Thousand Island dressing over them. Note: Don’t skimp on this step! Even if you’re not usually a fan of Thousand Island dressing, it really makes a huge difference in the overall flavor of the sliders.

   
   
   

   

   
   
   

4. Disperse the roast beef evenly over the sliders.

5. Next, add the slices of Swiss cheese. The packs I use typically have 11 slices, and I can usually fit about 8 slices on the buns before I tear the remaining slices in half and place them over the rest of the sliders. Note: If you're having trouble visualizing this, take a look at the pictures—I’ve found that using slices helps the cheese evenly cover all of the sliders.

   
   
   

   

   
   
   

6. Drain your sauerkraut and spread it evenly over all the sliders. Note: Draining the sauerkraut is crucial—while you definitely want a juicy slider, you don’t want it turning soggy!

7. Add another layer of cheese repeating step 5. 

8. Spread another layer of Thousand Island dressing over the swiss cheese and top your sliders with the other half of the rolls. 

9. Melt your butter and mix in the garlic powder and Worcestershire sauce. I don’t typically measure this step, but I’d say I use about a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce for every two tablespoons of butter. Add the garlic powder to taste, depending on how garlicky you want it.

10. Brush the butter mixture onto the tops of your sandwiches, then finish them off with a generous sprinkle of Everything But the Bagel Seasoning. Note: While using a brush is the best method to get a perfect golden-brown top on the sliders, I’ve made these without one before. If you don’t have a brush, simply drizzle the butter over the sliders with a spoon and use the back of the spoon to ensure each one is evenly coated.

Recipe Notes: 

1. Cheese Options: While Swiss cheese is the traditional choice for Reuben sliders, feel free to experiment with other cheeses like cheddar or provolone if you prefer a different flavor or if you have a dairy intolerance. 

2. Make-Ahead: You can assemble the sliders ahead of time and refrigerate them until you’re ready to bake. This can save you time if you’re prepping for a party or event.

3. Garlic Butter: The garlic butter topping is optional but adds a delicious flavor. If you're not a fan of garlic, you can skip it or adjust the amount to suit your taste.

4. Everything But the Bagel Seasoning: This adds a nice crunch and flavor to the top of the sliders, but you can also use sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or just a sprinkle of salt if you don't have the seasoning blend.

5. Serving Tips: These sliders are perfect for parties, gatherings, or as a fun family meal. They’re best served warm and can easily be reheated if needed! For my party I just left a large knife next to the tray and people helped themselves!

Give this recipe a try and let me know how it turns out! I’d love to hear your thoughts and any tips you have for making the perfect Mini Reuben Sliders. Feel free to share in the comments or message me if you have any fun twists of your own! Here's a photo of how I displayed my sliders at the party I threw a couple of weeks ago!

Follow me on Instagram @salty_and_sweet_creations for more delicious recipes and to interact with me! 

Looking for the perfect side to pair with these sliders? Try my Fried Pickles recipe, made easy in the air fryer! They’re the perfect crunchy, tangy complement to the savory Mini Reuben Sliders. You won’t be disappointed!

Mini Reuben Sliders

servings: 24 sliders

prep time: 8 minutes cook time: 15 minutes

total time: 23 minutes

These irresistible sliders capture all the savory goodness of a classic Reuben sandwich in a bite-sized treat that’s sure to win over any crowd. Tender roast beef, tangy sauerkraut, melty Swiss cheese, and creamy Thousand Island dressing come together in perfect harmony to create a mouthwatering appetizer that’s perfect for parties, family gatherings, or a casual get-together with friends!

Ingredients:

• 24 pack of Hawaiian rolls

• 1/2 cup (123g) Thousand Island Dressing, see ingredients notes

• 1 lb of chipped roast beef

• 22 Slices of Swiss Cheese, I used Sargento Sliced Swiss Natural Cheese

• 1 1/2 lb drained sauerkraut

• 2 tablespoons (28g) butter

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

• garlic powder, to taste

• Everything but the Bagel Seasoning, see notes

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to  350°F (175°C). Prep chosen baking dish.

2. Slice rolls in half, putting bottom half onto baking dish.

3. Spread Thousand Island dressing over rolls.

4. Place an even layer of roast beef on top of the dressing.

5. Add cheese, sauerkraut, then another layer of cheese.

6. Spread another layer of dressing on top of the cheese layer.

7. Melt the butter. Mix in Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder.

8. Place the top layer of rolls on and brush butter mixture on top.

9. Sprinkle Everything but the Bagel Seasoning on top and cook for 15 minutes or until tops are golden brown.