This Tempeh Reuben Sandwich is a hearty and satisfying sandwich that doesn't skimp on flavor. If you love a good tempeh sandwich, be sure to check out our Tempeh BLT.
Quick Look at This Recipe
- 🕗 Prep Time: 20 minutes
- 🔥 Cook Time: 10 minutes
- ⏰ Total Time: 30 minutes
- 🍽️ Servings: 2
- ⭐ Difficulty: Easy – make the marinade, make dressing, cook tempeh in air fryer, toast bread, and assemble
- 🍴 Diet: 100% whole food, plant-based vegan, high-protein
Summarize and save this recipe with AI:
Smoky marinated tempeh, tangy sauerkraut, and creamy Vegan Thousand Island Dressing come together between golden-toasted rye bread for a plant-based twist on a deli classic. It’s savory, tangy, and downright delicious, the kind of sandwich you’ll want on repeat, and one of our Veganuary recipes.
Jump to:
- Quick Look at This Recipe
- Why You’ll Love This Tempeh Reuben Sandwich
- Health Benefits
- What You'll Need to Make This Tempeh Reuben Sandwich
- Substitutions and Variations
- How to Make This Tempeh Reuben Sandwich
- Expert Tips
- What to Pair with This Tempeh Reuben Sandwich
- Recipe FAQs
- Other Handheld Eats to Check Out
- Tempeh Reuben Sandwich
Why You’ll Love This Tempeh Reuben Sandwich
- Flavor-packed: The smoky marinade transforms plain tempeh into a savory powerhouse.
- Easy prep: Just marinate, air fry, and assemble. It's perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.
- Vegan comfort food: A plant-based version of the classic Reuben that tastes indulgent but is better for your body.
- Customizable: Use your favorite bread or toppings to make it your own.
Health Benefits
- Tempeh: A fermented soy product, rich in plant-based protein, fiber, and probiotics for gut health.
- Sauerkraut: Packed with probiotics and vitamin C, supporting digestion and immunity.
- Rye bread: Provides whole grains and fiber for steady energy.
- Vegan Thousand Island Dressing: Made dairy-free and lighter than traditional versions, but still creamy and satisfying.
What You'll Need to Make This Tempeh Reuben Sandwich
- Tempeh: The star ingredient, offering a chewy texture and nutty flavor.
- Rye Bread: Earthy, slightly tangy bread that's classic for a Reuben.
- Vegan Thousand Island Dressing: Creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet.
- Sauerkraut: Brings tang, crunch, and probiotic goodness.
A full list of ingredients with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Substitutions and Variations
- Bread: Swap rye for whole-grain, gluten-free, or sourdough bread if needed.
- Tempeh: Use marinated tofu slices as an alternative. Follow the cooking instructions for our Air Fryer Tofu recipe and cook for 15 minutes or longer since it has more water content than tempeh.
- Dressing: Try vegan Russian dressing, our Cashew Mayo, or Vegan Sriracha Mayo for a twist. Add some Homemade Ketchup for more saucy goodness.
- Sauerkraut: Sub in kimchi for a spicier, probiotic-rich kick. If you love kimchi, you may also enjoy our Vegan Kimchi Fried Rice.
- Oil-Free: Omit the oil if you're following a no-oil WFPB diet.
- Vegan Cheese: Melt a slice of vegan cheese for a more decadent sandwich.
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How to Make This Tempeh Reuben Sandwich
Step 1: Cut the tempeh into 8 thin slabs.
Step 2: Whisk together vegetable broth, coconut aminos, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika to create the marinade.
Step 3: Add the tempeh slabs to the marinade.
Step 4: Cover with a tight-fitting lid and gently shake to ensure the marinade coats the tempeh. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
Step 5: While the tempeh is marinating, make the Vegan Thousand Island Dressing according to recipe instructions. It's a 5-minute recipe.
Step 6: Add the marinated tempeh slabs to the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes.
Step 7: While the tempeh is cooking, prepare the bread. Brush one side of each rye bread slice with olive oil.
Step 8: Preheat a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Place the coated side of the bread into the preheated cast iron skillet and toast for 3 to 4 minutes or until golden brown.
Step 9: Flip the bread and turn off the heat.
Step 10: Begin assembling the tempeh reuben sandwich by spreading a generous layer of vegan thousand island dressing on each piece of bread.
Step 11: Add sauerkraut to one side.
Step 12: Add the cooked tempeh slabs to the other side, close the sandwich, and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Marinate longer: If you have time, let the tempeh sit for 20 minutes for an even deeper flavor.
- Crisper tempeh: Add an extra 2 minutes in the air fryer for a firmer bite.
- Rye bread: Use a fresh, good-quality rye bread. It makes a difference!
- Don’t skimp on dressing: It ties all the flavors together, so be generous.
What to Pair with This Tempeh Reuben Sandwich
- Enjoy this Tempeh Reuben Sandwich with one of our sides like the Vegan Caesar Salad, Gluten Free Tabouli, Jamaican Potato Salad, or Kale and Quinoa Salad.
- Nutritionally, enjoying this with a bowl of Vegan Cream of Broccoli Soup would be on point.
- Sip on an Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte or Starbucks Pink Drink Copycat with this hearty and tasty sandwich.
- Looking for a sweet (but healthy) treat after enjoying this sandwich? Check out our Healthy Fruit Pizza, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, or Chocolate Hummus topped with fresh raspberries or strawberries.
Recipe FAQs
Air fryer tempeh or air fryer tofu are great substitutes for meat in a Reuben. They both allow the bold flavor from the sauce, sauerkraut, and rye bread to shine.
It has the same smoky, tangy, creamy profile of a classic Reuben but with a nutty, protein-rich tempeh base instead of corned beef.
Store leftover ingredients (tempeh, sauce, sauerkraut, and bread) separately in covered or airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Assemble when you're ready to eat.
This Tempeh Reuben Sandwich is proof that comfort food can be both indulgent and nourishing. With smoky marinated tempeh, tangy sauerkraut, and creamy dressing, it satisfies cravings without compromise. Whether you’re vegan, plant-curious, or just looking for a healthier deli-style sandwich, this recipe is one you’ll come back to again and again.
Other Handheld Eats to Check Out
If you tried this Tempeh Reuben Sandwich or any other recipe on our website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below! We love to get your feedback for improvement.
Tempeh Reuben Sandwich
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 oz tempeh
- 3 Tablespoons coconut aminos, (or regular aminos) for marinade
- ½ cup vegetable broth, for marinade
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1-2 Tablespoons olive oil (omit if oil free)
- 4 slices rye bread
- 1 cup Vegan Thousand Island Dressing
- ⅔ cup sauerkraut
Instructions
- Cut the tempeh block into quarters, then split each quarter in half with a sharp knife to make 8 thin slabs.
- To make the marinade, whisk together the vegetable broth, coconut aminos, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika in a dish with a tight-fitting lid.
- Add the tempeh slabs to the marinade. Put the lid on and very gently shake to allow the marinade to cover the tempeh slabs. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
- While the tempeh is marinating, prepare the Vegan Thousand Island Dressing according to recipe instructions. It's a 5-minute recipe. Set the sauce aside.
- Add the tempeh slabs to the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F (175 °C) for 10 minutes.
- While the tempeh is cooking, prepare the bread. Preheat a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Brush one side of each slice of bread with olive oil.
- Place the coated side of the bread into the preheated cast iron skillet and toast for 3 to 4 minutes or until golden brown. Flip the bread and turn off the heat.
- Assemble the sandwich by adding a generous layer of Vegan Thousand Island Dressing to each side.
- Layer on the sauerkraut and cooked tempeh slabs, close the sandwich, slice, and enjoy!
Notes
- Substitute with Tofu: Not a fan of tempeh? Slice the tofu into thin slabs and marinade for the same time. Air fry for 15 minutes or until golden.
- Don’t skimp on dressing: It ties all the flavors together, so be generous.
- Leftovers: Store leftover ingredients (tempeh, sauce, sauerkraut, and bread) separately in covered or airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Assemble when you're ready to eat.
Carla says
This Tempeh Reuben is a delicious plant-based take on the sandwich. The smoky tempeh pairs perfectly with tangy sauerkraut and creamy vegan Thousand Island dressing, all on rye. It’s flavorful, satisfying, and indulgent. A must-try for vegans and non-vegans alike.
Gigi & Sersie says
Carla - We're so glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to rate and leave a review.
Gigi & Sersie says
Wow! This is so tasty and satisfying! Fast and easy to make. Can't wait to make it again.