Easy Reuben Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls

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These Reuben sliders are stacked with smoky pastrami, melty Swiss cheese, crispy French onions, and tangy Thousand Island dressing, all tucked inside soft rolls and brushed with garlic butter and poppy seeds. Savory, crunchy, creamy, and ridiculously good.

reuben sliders on a serving tray with a small bowl of thousand island and chips on the side.

I am currently obsessed with these reuben sandwich sliders! Simple ingredients, minimal prep, and feeds a lot of people without having to stand over a hot stove for hours.

You’ve got all of the classic reuben flavors – creamy swiss cheese, beefy pastrami, tangy sauerkraut, and creamy thousand island dressing for added flavor. Then, crispy French onions and garlic butter with poppy seeds brushed on the tops of the rolls for a nice crunch! Mm mm mmmm!

When it bakes, they come out all warm and melty – everything you want a good reuben sandwich but in small bite sized cheese sliders! It’s the perfect appetizer for game day or game nights or any st. patrick’s day parties.

Reuben Sliders: Quick Overview

🥒 Prep Time: 10 mins
🍳Cook Time: 10 mins
🕛Ready In: 20 mins
👥Serves: 12 slider rolls
🔥 Cook Method: Assemble and bake! (No cooking required!)
🥣Flavor Profile: Savory, tangy, cheesy, beefy
⭐Difficulty: Very Easy

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Key Ingredients and Substitutions

(full list of ingredients can be found in the recipe card)

ingredients to make reuben sliders - hawaiian rolls, swiss cheese, pastrami, butter, crispy french onions, thousand island dressing, sauerkraut, butter, garlic, parsley, and poppy seeds.

Pastrami adds a smoky, peppery flavor that makes these sliders that like a classic reuben sandwich. You can also use corned beef, leftover roast beef, or turkey for a lighter version.
Thousand Island Dressing brings creamy, tangy sweetness that balances the salty meat and sauerkraut while keeping the sliders moist. Russian dressing works too for a slightly spicier, sharper flavor.
Swiss Cheese Slices melts smoothly with a mild, nutty flavor that complements the pastrami. It adds that gooey texture and helps bind the sliders together.
Sauerkraut provides a little acidity, texture, and that signature tangy bite that cuts through the richness. Be sure to drain well to prevent soggy sliders.
Savory King’s Hawaiian Rolls are my preference here, but the sweet rolls work too. You can also use my homemade slider rolls recipe or brioche dinner rolls if you’re fancy.

Variations and Customizations

Spicy Reuben Sliders: Add sliced jalapeños or mix sriracha into the dressing for a kick.
Gluten-Free Version: Use gluten-free slider buns and ensure your corned beef and other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
Add caraway seeds to mimic that rye bread flavor.

Step by Step Instructions

hawaiian rolls cut in half with thousand island and swiss cheese slices on top.

Step 1: Smear thousand island dressing on the inside of the rolls, then add sliced swiss cheese.

pastrami, drained sauerkraut, crispy french onions, and more thousand island dressing drizzled on top of the hawaiian rolls.

Step 2: Add pastrami, drained sauerkraut, another drizzle of thousand island dressing, and crispy french onions on top.

garlic butter with poppy seeds being brushed on top of the rolls.

Step 3: Brush garlic butter on top of the rolls.

reuben sliders assembled on a baking sheet with french onions on top.

Step 4: Sprinkle more crispy French onions on top and bake until the cheese is melted.

Tips for the Best Reuben Sliders

Drain the sauerkraut to prevent soggy rolls! Excess moisture is the enemy of crispy sliders. Press the sauerkraut between paper towels or use a clean kitchen towel to squeeze out as much liquid as possible.

Use quality pastrami or corned beef: Ask your deli counter for freshly sliced meat rather than pre-packaged for better flavor and texture.

Don’t skip the butter topping: This is what creates that irresistible golden crust and adds an extra layer of flavor to your sliders.

Make them ahead: You can assemble these sliders up to 24 hours in advance. Keep them covered in the refrigerator and add 3-5 extra minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.

Try different cheese: While Swiss is traditional, you can experiment with provolone or even a sharp white cheddar for a different flavor profile.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 300°F oven for 10-12 minutes until warmed through, or microwave individual sliders for 30-45 seconds. The oven method will help maintain the texture better than the microwave.

overhead photo of reuben sliders on a serving tray fresh out of the oven.

Recipe FAQs

Can I freeze Reuben sliders?

I wouldn’t recommend it! Because of the sauerkaut and thousand island dressing, when it comes back to room temperature, the texture may be a bit strange.

What’s the difference between Russian dressing and Thousand Island?

Both work great for Reuben sliders. Russian dressing typically has a bit more horseradish and a spicier kick, while Thousand Island is slightly sweeter with relish. Use whichever you prefer.

What should I serve with Reuben sliders?

These pair wonderfully with crispy dill pickle spears, potato chips, coleslaw, or a simple green salad.