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!!
**Please Note – The printable recipe card with detailed instructions, complete ingredient measurements, and nutritional information for making Reuben Quesadillas is available at the end of this post. OR you can hit the “jump to recipe” button (found above) to be taken directly to the recipe.
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The ingredient list:
**Note – The following lists of ingredients plus kitchen tools and equipment contain affiliate links (highlighted in blue) for your consideration and shopping convenience. #CommissionsEarned
- 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
Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- large skillet
- chef’s knife
- cutting board
- slotted spatula
- medium mixing bowl
- measuring cups and spoons
- whisk or spoon
When is a Reuben not a Reuben?
When our kids were little one of their favorite dinners had always been homemade Reuben sandwiches.
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!
Thankfully all that changed as they got older.
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!
The sauce is boss:
The thing I probably love most of all about this recipe is 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 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.
Additional Irish recipes:
*Corned Beef Boxty (shown below)
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!!
*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!!
Below is the printable recipe card along with the exact ingredient measurements and nutritional information for making today’s fast and easy Reuben Quesadillas.
If you’ve made this recipe, or are excited to make this recipe, I’d appreciate it if you’d take a moment to leave it a star rating in the recipe card, along with a comment if you’re so inclined. Thank you. 🙂
Reuben Quesadillas
Ingredients
For the 1000 Island 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
For the quesadillas:
- 12 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
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.
Nutrition
Thank you so much for visiting me here today in my Kudos Kitchen!
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.
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Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
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Ashley
Monday 15th of March 2021
My husband loves Ruebens so I decided to try these and they were a hit with everyone.
Renée
Tuesday 16th of March 2021
So glad to hear it, Ashley! Thanks for letting me know. Renee
Justine
Monday 15th of March 2021
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!
Renée
Tuesday 16th of March 2021
I'm happy you enjoyed this twist on a traditional Reuben, Justine! Take good care, Renee