Corned Beef & Swiss Cheese Cheese Reuben Quesadillas are a cross between a Reuben sandwich and a quesadilla, but what makes them extra special is the homemade 1000 Islands Dipping Sauce! You’re going to LOVE these!!
One of my family’s favorite dinners has always been homemade Reuben sandwiches. When our boys were little, they’d request their Reuben’s without the sauerkraut, without the Swiss cheese, and without the sauce. Which literally rendered them grilled, corned beef sandwiches. LOL! Still tasty, but hardly a Reuben!
This recipe riff of Corned Beef & Swiss Cheese Reuben Quesadillas with 1000 Islands Dipping sauce came about when I had planned on making traditional Reuben sandwiches with rye bread for dinner one night, but realized that I’d forgotten to purchase the rye bread at the store. 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 the Corned Beef & Swiss Cheese Reuben Quesadillas with Creamy 1000 Islands Dipping Sauce.
This recipe for Reuben Quesadillas works well with leftover corned beef you may have from your St. Patrick’s Day celebration of corned beef and cabbage, or with the corned beef you’ll find at the deli counter, or from the pre-packaged variety, you’ll find at your local market and superstore. Naturally, it’s best with leftover corned beef when it’s thickly sliced, but since I rarely have any leftover corned beef when I make it at home (huge man appetites here), I tend to rely on the brand I find in the refrigerated case at my local Costco.
These Reuben 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!
But, the thing I probably like most of all about this recipe is creamy and utterly delicious homemade 1000 islands dipping sauce that 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 as your dipping sauce, but why would you when it only takes 5 ingredients, and 2 minutes, to whip together?
To make the creamy homemade 1000 Islands dipping sauce stir together mayonnaise, ketchup, smoked paprika, sweet pickle relish, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Set aside while making the Reuben Quesadillas.
To make the 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.
- 3/4 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
- 12 flour tortillas
- 1 pound corned beef cooked and sliced
- 12 slices Swiss cheese
- 1 cup sauerkraut drained
- 3 grapeseed oil for frying
- Tools and equipment:
- large skillet
- spatula
- small bowl
-
Mix the mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper together in a small bowl. Set aside and keep cool.
-
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.
As I mentioned earlier, my family has always enjoyed corned beef and because of that, over the years I’ve come up with several non-traditional recipes that are as different as they are delicious. Here are just a few:
Luck of the Irish Corned Beef Boxty:
Corned Beef Hash Strata (2012):
Kudos Kitchen by Reneé ~ Where food, art, and fun collide each and every day!
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
