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    Home » Holiday Inspired Recipes » St. Patrick's Day Recipes

    Published: Mar 15, 2021 · Modified: Feb 8, 2026 by Renée · This post may contain affiliate links · 8 Comments

    Corned Beef and Swiss Reuben Quesadillas

    Jump to Recipe
    A vertical collage of two images of Reuben Quesadillas. The top is how to make the sauce and the bottom is the completed quesadilla in the sauce.
    A dipped Reuben Quesadilla with a tile text.
    dipping a slice of reuben quesadilla into special sauce.
    A Pinterest pin for Reuben Quesadillas with corned beef and Swiss cheese along with a title text.
    A vertical closeup of Reuben Quesadillas cut into triangles along with a center cup of 1000 Islands dipping sauce.

    Corned Beef and Swiss Reuben Quesadillas are a cross between a Reuben sandwich and a quesadilla! But what makes them extra special is the homemade 1000 Island Dipping Sauce! You're going to LOVE these!! 

    A vertical closeup of Reuben Quesadillas cut into triangles along with a center cup of 1000 Islands dipping sauce.

    Recipes featuring corned beef have always been a big hit with my family. This Corned Beef Hash Frittata is as delicious as it is unusual, and this Corned Beef Stuffed Boxty is a hot and hearty potato pancake that's full of tender corned beef.

    This recipe post and its contents may include affiliate links for your consideration. I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, but your prices are never increased as a result. Thank you.

    Table of Contents Found Here
    • The ingredient list:
    • The most delicious slow cooker corned beef recipe.
    • Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
    • When is a Reuben not a Reuben?
    • How this recipe came to be:
    • The reason this recipe is so versatile:
    • The sauce is boss:
    • How to keep the first quesadillas warm while you're preparing the others?
    • How to make the creamy dipping sauce:
    • The step-by-step photos of how to make Reuben Quesadillas:
    • Additional Irish recipes:
    • Printable Recipe Card
    • Please comment if you've made this recipe.

    Subscribe to my Kudos Kitchen channel on YouTube. IT'S FREE!! Thanks, and I can't wait to see you there!!

    The ingredient list:

    *Please note that the exact measurements along with a "shop the recipe" feature from Instacart and Walmart is available inside the printable recipe card.

    instacart logo
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    • corned beef (leftovers work great)
    • sliced Swiss cheese
    • flour tortillas
    • sauerkraut
    • mayonnaise
    • sweet pickle relish
    • ketchup
    • smoked paprika
    • garlic powder
    • black pepper
    • grapeseed oil or other neutral-flavored oil

    The most delicious slow cooker corned beef recipe.

    Kitchen tools and equipment needed:

    • large skillet
    • chef's knife
    • cutting board
    • slotted spatula
    • medium mixing bowl
    • measuring cups and spoons
    • whisk or spoon

    Planning ahead makes life and entertaining so much easier!

    Simplify Meal Planning & Grocery Shopping
    Click on the image above to save this recipe to you personal Pinterest boards.

    When is a Reuben not a Reuben?

    However, they'd always request their Reuben sandwiches be made without sauerkraut, without Swiss cheese, and without the sauce. Literally, this made them grilled corned beef sandwiches. LOL!

    Still tasty, but hardly a Reuben!

    How this recipe came to be:

    This recipe riff for corned beef and Swiss cheese quesadillas came about when I had planned on making traditional Reuben sandwiches with rye bread for dinner one night but realized I'd forgotten to purchase the rye bread.

    Uh oh!

    Luckily for me, I had a full package of flour tortillas that were calling my name and begging me for their chance to be utilized in something other than a Tex-Mex recipe.

    Enter (stage left) Reuben quesadillas with creamy 1000 island dipping sauce...it's now your time for the spotlight!

    The reason this recipe is so versatile:

    This recipe for corned beef quesadillas works well with leftover corned beef or with corned beef you'll find at the deli counter.

    These easy-to-make quesadillas can be made and served as a speedy appetizer, lunch, or dinner.

    Don't you love a recipe that's this versatile, and can be made in only a matter of minutes? Me too!

    Save this for later.

    We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

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    A super closeup of wedges of Reuben Quesadillas with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and flour tortillas.

    The sauce is boss:

    The thing I probably love most of all about this recipe is the creamy and delicious homemade 1000 islands dipping sauce.

    It takes these Reuben Quesadillas up and over the top of the flavor charts!

    Of course, if you prefer you can always purchase your own bottled 1000 Islands dressing, but why would you when it only takes 5 ingredients, and 2 minutes, to whip together?

    How to keep the first quesadillas warm while you're preparing the others?

    When I finish each quesadilla, I put them onto the baking sheet (fitted with a rack to prevent sogginess), and keep them in a low (325-degree Fahrenheit) oven until all the quesadillas are complete.

    How to make the creamy dipping sauce:

    • Stir together mayonnaise, ketchup, smoked paprika, sweet pickle relish, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a medium-sized bowl.
    • Keep chilled until ready to serve.
    The ingredients for making a homemade thousand islands sauce in a bowl with a spoon.
    A homemade thousand island sauce in a bowl with a spoon.

    The step-by-step photos of how to make Reuben Quesadillas:

    • Top 6 flour tortillas with Swiss cheese slices, corned beef, and drained sauerkraut.
    • Top the sauerkraut with an additional slice of Swiss Cheese and top the quesadillas with the remaining flour tortillas.
    • Heat a large skillet with a little grapeseed oil and fry each quesadilla on both sides until golden brown and the cheese has melted. 
    • Cut the quesadillas into wedges and serve with the creamy 1000 islands dipping sauce.
    Six flour quesadillas with six slices of Swiss cheese on a marble countertop.
    Sliced corned beef on top of flour tortillas for making quesadillas.
    Flour tortillas, corned beef, and sauerkraut on a marble countertop.
    Corned beef and sliced Swiss cheese on top of flour tortillas to make quesadillas.
    Four prepared but uncooked quesadillas on a marble countertop.
    Cooking a golden brown quesadilla in a silver skillet.
    A bunch of golden brown Reuben quesadillas on a rack ready to be warmed in the oven.
    A direct overhead photo of a wedge of Reuben Quesadilla dipped into homemade sauce.

    Looking for more easy appetizer ideas and recipes? Check out my complete Best Easy Appetizer and Snacks Collection and have fun planning which of these easy-to-make, delicious homemade recipes you want to make first.

    Additional Irish recipes:

    *Corned Beef Boxty

    Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a classically stuffed boxty. An Irish Corned Beef Boxty is a potato pancake stuffed with tender corned beef and lots of melted Swiss cheese.

    *Corned Beef Hash Frittata (not shown)

    When you have a taste for corned beef hash, but also a wonderfully eggy frittata, why not make this unexpected yet delicious Corned Beef Hash Frittata? It’s the very best of both worlds!

    *Soda Bread with Caraway and Dill (shown below and in the featured video)

    Irish Soda Bread with Caraway and Dill is super simple to make, but it packs a huge punch of flavor! You’re going to love this savory quick bread!!

    A direct overhead photo of a loaf of Irish Soda Bread with Caraway and Dill on a wooden cutting board with a serrated knife and some green napkins.

    *Irish Cheese and Potato Tart (not shown)

    Travel all the way to Ireland without ever leaving home with the flavor of this Irish Cheese and Potato Tart. It will soon become an annual tradition.

    *Reuben Quesadillas (shown below) THIS IS THE PLACE!!

     A vertical closeup of a hand holding a wedge of corned beef quesadillas dipped in sauce along with a title text overlay graphic in the corner.
    Shop for the products I recommend and use regularly from my Kudos Kitchen Amazon Storefront.

    When you make today's recipe (and I hope that you will), I'd appreciate it if you'd take the time to come back and give it a star rating along with a comment on why you rated as you did.

    Search engines such as Google appreciate comments and ratings and, in turn, will show my recipes to more people. Please look for the pink star rating box within the printable recipe card. Thank you!!

    Printable Recipe Card

    A triangle of a Rueben Quesadilla in a bowl of dipping sauce.
    QR Code

    Corned Beef and Swiss Reuben Quesadillas

    Renee Goerger
    Rueben Quesadillas are a cross between a Reuben sandwich and a quesadilla, but what makes them truly special is the homemade 1000 Island Dipping Sauce!
    Have you made this recipe?Please Comment and Rate
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save recipe Save this recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course 30 minute dinner, Appetizers and Snack Recipes, lunch, Sandwiches
    Cuisine Irish inspired
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 673 kcal

    Equipment

    • cutting board
    • Mixing Bowls
    • chef's knife
    • Large Skillet
    • measuring cups and spoons
    • baking sheet with rack
    • whisk

    Ingredients
     
     

    For the 1000 Island Sauce:

    • ¾ cups mayonnaise
    • 3 tablespoons ketchup
    • 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

    For the quesadillas:

    • 12 8 inch flour tortillas
    • 1 pound corned beef cooked and sliced
    • 12 slices Swiss cheese
    • 1 cup sauerkraut drained
    • 3 grapeseed oil or other neutral falvored oil for frying
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    To make the dipping sauce:

    • Mix the mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper together in a small bowl. Set aside and keep cool.

    To make the quesadillas:

    • Evenly top 6 flour tortillas with a slice of Swiss cheese, corned beef, sauerkraut, the remaining Swiss cheese slices, and the final 6 tortillas.
    • Heat a large skillet to medium/high.
    • Add ½ tablespoon of oil to the skillet and fry each quesadilla (on both sides) until they're golden brown and the cheese has melted.
    • Continue the same process with the remaining quesadillas.
    • Cut each quesadilla into wedges and serve with the 1000 islands dipping sauce.

    Video

    Notes

    Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
    May be frozen after cooking. Place parchment paper or wax paper in between each quesadilla to prevent sticking. Store in an airtight freezer bag or airtight freezer container and freeze for up to 3 months.
    Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat, uncovered, in a moderate oven or air fryer until hot and crispy.
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 673kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 26gFat: 46gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 84mgSodium: 2014mgPotassium: 427mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 538IUVitamin C: 24mgCalcium: 350mgIron: 4mg

    I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's fast and easy corned beef quesadilla sandwich (or appetizer wedges) recipe as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you.

    A tray of Rueben Quesadillas and some dipping sauce surrounded by a black and white napkin.

    Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen on my site, please don't hesitate to reach out to contact me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with you just as soon as I possibly can!

    Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you will come back and visit me often. Please know that there is always room for you around my kitchen table!

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    More St. Patrick's Day Recipes

    • Golden croutons in a bowl of green Roasted Broccoli Cheddar Soup.
      Roasted Broccoli Cheddar Soup
    • A slice of a Spinach and Artichoke Quiche sitting on top of the pie.
      Cheesy Spinach and Artichoke Quiche
    • A bunch of broken pieces of Traditional Irish Shortbread along with some Irish napkins in the background.
      Traditional Irish Shortbread
    • Fried cabbage and leek colcannon in a white baking dish with a gold spoon.
      Fried Cabbage and Leeks with Roasted Smashed Potatoes

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 5 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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    1. Allen says

      January 31, 2025 at 9:06 am

      Could these be frozen after cooking? And if so how would you reheat best?

      Reply
      • Renée says

        January 31, 2025 at 2:18 pm

        Hi, Allen!
        They sure can. If you're stacking them before freezing, place a piece of parchment between each one to prevent sticking.
        After that, add them to an airtight freezer bag or freezer container and freeze for up to 2 months.
        Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat (uncovered) on a baking sheet in the oven or an air fryer so they'll be crispy.
        You can reheat them in a microwave if you wish. The flavor will still be good, but they won't crisp.
        I hope this information is helpful.
        I just made these again a few days ago. It's one of my very favorite sandwiches/appetizers.
        Take good care,
        Renee

        Reply
    2. Val says

      November 10, 2023 at 9:33 am

      Could these be done in an air fryer?

      Reply
      • Renée says

        November 10, 2023 at 2:47 pm

        They sure can, Val.
        I'd spray or brush both sides with a little olive oil first, but you don't have to.
        Keep an eye on them and if they're not on a rack, you may still want to flip them
        halfway through the cooking process.
        Enjoy!
        Renee

        Reply
    3. Ashley says

      March 15, 2021 at 3:28 pm

      5 stars
      My husband loves Ruebens so I decided to try these and they were a hit with everyone.

      Reply
      • Renée says

        March 16, 2021 at 6:20 am

        So glad to hear it, Ashley!
        Thanks for letting me know.
        Renee

        Reply
    4. Justine says

      March 15, 2021 at 2:10 pm

      5 stars
      I love this idea! Reubens are one of my favorite sandwiches, but I also don't care for a lot of bread....turning them into quesadillas is so brilliant and really practical!

      Reply
      • Renée says

        March 16, 2021 at 6:21 am

        I'm happy you enjoyed this twist on a traditional Reuben, Justine!
        Take good care,
        Renee

        Reply

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