This toasty Tempeh Reuben Sandwich is so delicious! Made with melty cheese, flavorful seared tempeh, and Sauerkraut, keep it vegetarian or use vegan cheese for a vegan reuben!

This Tempeh Reuben Sandwich is a little nod to our former restaurant Mizuna, way back in the day. In the beginning, right after we opened the restaurant, a woman named Lindy started coming in for lunch several times a week and always ordered the same exact thing – our Tempeh Reuben Sandwich, extra toasty.

For years, my nickname for her was “extra toasty.”  Since then, we’ve become friends, and of course, now I call her by her actual name – Lindy – but every once in a while, “extra toasty” still slips out of my mouth. 🙂

I still crave this sandwich! I love it because it can be easily made vegan with vegan cheese, but truth be told, using smoked mozzarella cheese like we did at Mizuna is still my favorite! Piled high with sauerkraut, it’s smoky with a lovely tanginess!

But First, what is tempeh?

Tempeh is a vegan “patty” made from fermented soybeans.  It is very high in protein and calcium and low in fat – with a very textured, nutty flavor. It’s very firm and doesn’t easily crumble like tofu. Many vegetarian and vegan recipes use tempeh as a meat substitute and it holds up well. Since it is a low-fat and high-protein food, many vegans choose to include tempeh in their diet regularly. Tempeh can be found in the refrigerated section of most health food stores and in the natural foods aisle of well-stocked grocery stores. Always seek out organic, non-GMO!

This toasty Tempeh Reuben Sandwich is so delicious! Made with melty cheese, flavorful seared tempeh, and Sauerkraut, keep it vegetarian or use vegan cheese for a vegan reuben! 

 tempeh Rueben Ingredeints

  • Delicious Rye Bread- I love our sourdough bread with a bit of rye, or use marbled rye bread.
  • Sauerkraut  (either homemade or store-bought) Here I’m using Turmeric Kraut! 
  • Mustard- whole grain mustard is nice or use Russian Dressing or even Thousand Island Dressing.
  • Cheese: Smoked mozzarella cheese is nice, melty vegan mozzarella or traditional Swiss cheese
  • Tempeh -always use organic, non-GMO if possible!
Tempeh Reuben Sandwich with Smoked Mozzarella and Turmeric Sauerkraut ( or sub regular!). A tasty, hearty, delicious vegetarian sandwich!

Here is where you can learn about how to make the turmeric sauerkraut if you are interested!

How to make a Tempeh Rueben Sandwich (Instructions)

Step One: Slice Tempeh and simmer in seasoned water for 10 minutes. Drain and pat dry!

Step two:  Heat oil in a skillet and season the oil with salt and pepper.

Step three: Flip the tempeh, sear until cripsy, then drizzle with a few drops of soy sauce or Braggs Liquid Aminos for added flavor and depth.

Step four: Assemble the Reuben!

Lather bread with mustard  ( or Russian Dressing)  and top with tempeh.

Tempeh Reuben Sandwich with Smoked Mozzarella and Turmeric Sauerkraut ( or sub regular!). A tasty, hearty, delicious vegetarian sandwich! | www.feastingathome.com

Add the cheese and the sauerkraut.

Tempeh Reuben Sandwich with Smoked Mozzarella and Turmeric Sauerkraut ( or sub regular!). A tasty, hearty, delicious vegetarian sandwich! | www.feastingathome.com

Top with the top layer of bread and pan sear in a skillet until bread is toasty and cheese is melty- or finish off in a warm oven.

This toasty Tempeh Reuben Sandwich is so delicious! Made with melty cheese, flavorful seared tempeh, and Sauerkraut, keep it vegetarian or use vegan cheese for a vegan reuben! 

Boy does this hit the spot!

What to serve with Tempeh Reuben?

Serve with a leafy green salad like our Caesar Salad or this Kale Salad or this Vegan Caesar Salad!

More Favorite Tempeh Recipes!

Have a delicious week!

xoxo

If you like this recipe, remember to rate it and comment below!

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Tempeh Reuben Sandwich

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 2 reviews
  • Author: Sylvia Fountaine | Feasting at Home Blog
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 20 mins
  • Total Time: 30 mins
  • Yield: 2 sandwiches 1x
  • Category: Sandwich, Vegetarian,
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This toasty Tempeh Reuben Sandwich is so delicious! Made with melty cheese, flavorful seared tempeh, and Sauerkraut, keep it vegetarian or use vegan cheese for a vegan reuben!


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 8 ounces tempeh
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 slices rye bread
  • 12 tablespoons whole grain mustard, Russian Dressing or Thousand Island dressing
  • 2 ounces Swiss cheese or try smoked mozzarella cheese, sliced ( or sub vegan cheese)
  • 1/23/4 cup sauerkraut ( for turmeric sauerkraut go here)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven or toaster oven to 350F
  2. Slice the tempeh into ¼ inch strips and place in a saucepan, covered with water, add soy sauce and simmer covered for 10 minutes. Drain and pat dry.
  3. Heat oil in a large skillet, season the oil with a generous pinch of salt and pepper, and sear each side until golden and crispy. Drizzle with a few drops of soy sauce for flavor. Go light, taste add more if you want.
  4. Assemble: Lather all the bread slices with mustard or dressing. Top 2 of the slices with cheese, seared tempeh and kraut.  Top with the other bread slices to create 2 sandwiches.
  5. Toast: Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium low heat and place the sandwiches, cheese side down and toast until golden. Carefully flip and toast the other side.
  6. Once perfectly golden, place in the warm oven, to fully melt the cheese.  Cut in half and enjoy!

Notes

You can also simmer and sear the tempeh whole (not sliced) searing each side until golden and heated through, then add a little splash of soy for flavor.

 

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: One large sandwich
  • Calories: 513
  • Sugar: 2.8 g
  • Sodium: 763.9 mg
  • Fat: 21.5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45.4 g
  • Fiber: 13.6 g
  • Protein: 34.5 g
  • Cholesterol: 26 mg

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Comments

  1. I am going to make this for my vegetarian granddaughter for my annual St. Patrick’s Day party for my 4 adult grand kids. I always make Reuben sandwiches for 3 of them, then something special for her. I think this would be perfect! I thought I would make them just the same, with the exception of the tempeh in place of the corn beef. I make a very good thousand island dressing, which I will use, and I will use the smoked mozzarella, as suggested, but also the traditional Swiss cheese. I also use a tasty sauerkraut from Trader Joe’s that has cumbers in it. Very good! The rye bread, from a local bakery, is the best! Thanks for this recipe!






  2. This tempeh prep is a game changer – it was such a great sandwich! We had no idea boiling it in salted water would make such a difference.






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