The Best Vegan Reuben Sandwich!

This post is sponsored by Violife. All comments and opinions are my own.

This delicious vegan reuben sandwich tastes like the real deal but is meat-free and dairy-free!

Being that it is currently Veganuary (if you don’t know what that means, it’s when some people choose to go vegan for the month of January), I wanted to kick off the month with a delicious vegan lunch recipe for you guys!! Therefore, I decided to make a vegan version of one of my favorite classic sandwiches – the reuben!!!

I have always been OBSESSED with reuben sandwiches! I grew up in northern New Jersey where they were quite popular. I remember growing up as a kid I’d go with my grandparents to a deli near them that served the BEST reuben sandwich! I’m so thrilled to say that I was able to recreate a healthy vegan version of this delicious sandwich!

This sandwich is made with the following ingredients:

• Sprouted rye bread
• Sauerkraut: I love that crunch that this adds to the sandwich and sauerkraut is also an amazing source of probiotics.
• Vegan thousand island dressing OR vegan Russian dressing. I found both options in the dressing aisle at Whole Foods Market, or you can make your own. Pinterest has so many vegan dressing recipes! If making your own dressing I recommend using a healthier oil like avocado oil or olive oil and sticking to natural sweeteners like maple syrup.
• Tempeh (a great source of plant-based protein). This is what I substitute for the meat.
• Violife Just Like Smoked Provolone Slices: this is an incredible alternative for dairy-free cheese! All of their cheeses are 100% vegan, dairy free, gluten free, non-GMO and free from major allergens. It melted PERFECTLY in the sandwich!!

How to make this delicious vegan reuben sandwich:

1. Heat up a frying pan over medium heat with oil (I recommend avocado oil or olive oil). Cook the tempeh for about 5 minutes per side, then remove from heat and set aside.
2. Spread the thousand island or Russian dressing over both slices of rye bread. Then layer on the tempeh, sauerkraut and Violife Just Like Smoked Provolone Slices.
3. Heat up a panini maker and place the sandwich in the panini maker, pressing it down. Cook for about 3 – 5 minutes depending on the heat of your panini maker and until the cheese is perfectly melted. Cut in half and enjoy! If you don’t have a panini maker you can cook this in the oven or toaster oven, but I highly recommend a panini maker for best results 🙂

If you’re looking for an amazing vegan cheese option for this sandwich, then I highly recommend Violife! Their vegan cheeses are delicious and indulgent, and get so melty (but vegan!)  I love that their products are based on coconut oil and contain B12.

I found Violife in the plant-based section of the dairy case at Whole Foods Market. They have SO many amazing flavors and everything from shredded cheese to cream cheese. If you’re planning on participating in Veganuary then you should know that Violife is an official sponsor! Their products can definitely help people find amazing dairy-free alternatives!

There are SO many ways to enjoy Violife! I love snacking on their cheese straight from the package, sprinkled on pasta, sliced in sandwiches and toast, or melted in any recipe instead of cheese.  I love that it cooks just like the real deal! The Just Like Smoked Provolone Slices got perfectly melty in the panini maker when making my vegan reuben!

Make sure to check out the Ibotta app for savings on Violife at Whole Foods Market.

If you make this sandwich definitely tag me on Instagram so I can see!!

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