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You’re going to love this Vegan Tempeh Reuben! It is made with marinated and grilled tempeh, homemade Russian Dressing, and seeded rye bread for a saucy and delicious classic vegan sandwich.

Many years ago, a lifetime really, I worked as a server at a popular family-run restaurant in western Michigan. This was the early 2000s, in a small town, in the midwest. Eating vegan at that time was not quite the same it is now, 15 years later, in Portland, Oregon.

In the early 2000s, however, this restaurant was a vegan/vegetarian hub because it was one of the only places in town that, no matter your dietary preferences, had you covered. From breakfast to desserts, and everything in between, they made a great effort in offering incredible vegan options. I worked at this restaurant for many years, eating everything off the vegan menu many times over. Hands down, my favorite AND the best sandwich I’d ever had was the vegan tofu Reuben. When I left Michigan to come to Oregon, leaving that incredible restaurant behind, I put “remake the vegan Reuben” on the top of my to-do list.

And folks, I did just that.

How to Make Tempeh Reuben [Video]

Recommended Ingredients & Equipment

This vegan sandwich is a combination of smoky tempeh, homemade vegan Russian dressing, and zesty sauerkraut. It’s a family and fan favorite and if you haven’t tried it yet, I think you should!

Here is everything you need.

Ingredients & Substitutions Tempeh – Tempeh is my favorite meat substitute for a vegan Reuben. It’s thick, chewy, with a delightful nutty texture. If you don’t like tempeh, try swapping it out for tofu or grilled eggplant for other variations of this delicious vegan sandwich.

– Tempeh is my favorite meat substitute for a vegan Reuben. It’s thick, chewy, with a delightful nutty texture. If you don’t like tempeh, try swapping it out for tofu or grilled eggplant for other variations of this delicious vegan sandwich. Vegetable Broth

Balsamic Vinegar

Vegan Worcestershire Sauce – Not all Worcestershire sauce is vegan. Most varieties use anchovies. Look for one marked vegan.

Not all Worcestershire sauce is vegan. Most varieties use anchovies. Look for one marked vegan. Liquid Smoke – This gives the tempeh a delicious smokiness. Find liquid smoke in the condiment aisle of most well-stocked grocery stores. If you can’t find it, it can be omitted.

– This gives the tempeh a delicious smokiness. Find liquid smoke in the condiment aisle of most well-stocked grocery stores. If you can’t find it, it can be omitted. Spices – You will need a blend of onion powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.

– You will need a blend of onion powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Rye Bread – My bread of choice is Sprouted Rye Bread from Alvarado St. Bakery

– My bread of choice is Sprouted Rye Bread from Alvarado St. Bakery Sauerkraut

Vegan Russian Dressing – This dressing is key to making the perfect tempeh Reuben sandwich. You will need vegan mayonnaise, ketchup, white onion, prepared horseradish, hot sauce, vegan Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper.

– This dressing is key to making the perfect tempeh Reuben sandwich. You will need vegan mayonnaise, ketchup, white onion, prepared horseradish, hot sauce, vegan Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. Vegan Swiss Cheese (optional) – If you want to add Swiss Cheese you can either make your own or look for a store bought variety. Daiya carries a swiss cheese that I recommend.

(optional) – If you want to add Swiss Cheese you can either make your own or look for a store bought variety. Daiya carries a swiss cheese that I recommend. Oil – Any neutral flavored high heat oil will do. I recommend avocado or coconut.

– Any neutral flavored high heat oil will do. I recommend avocado or coconut. Vegan Butter – Use any non-hydrogenated vegan butter or margarine.

Recommended Equipment

For this recipe you will need a large shallow dish for marinating the tempeh, a large skillet, a chef’s knife, cutting board, and basic kitchen utensils. (<<affiliate links)

Check out the full list of my recommended kitchen tools and gadgets.

Best Bread for Tempeh Reuben

My go-to bread for this sandwich comes from Alvarado St. Bakery Co-op.

For this vegan Tempeh Reuben, I used Alvarado’s Sprouted Rye Seed Bread which is a vegan, flour-less bread made with sprouted organic whole wheat berries and cultured wheat and filled with all kinds of seeds for a hearty, healthy, delicious rye bread that is easier on the planet AND easier on the body.

All of Alvarado Street Bakery Co-Op’s products are made from sprouted grain. What’s that, you might ask. Sprouted grain is grain that is harvested before the shoots from the seed turn into full-fledged plants. By harvesting them young, you get a grain that is lower in starch, allowing for higher proportions of other, more beneficial nutrients like protein, vitamins, and minerals.

How to Make Vegan Rueben Sandwich

Step One – Prepare the Tempeh Cut tempeh in half lengthwise and then cut it through the middle for 4 thin slices. Set aside Combine the ingredients for the tempeh marinade in a shallow dish. Add tempeh, ensuring that it is fully submerged, and marinate for at least 30 minutes. Feel free to marinate this for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator. Once the tempeh has marinated, heat olive oil in a large skillet placed over medium heat. Add tempeh and cook for about 5 minutes per side, until dark brown. Once both sides are browned, add reserved marinade and let it cook-off in the skillet. This allows the flavors to seep into the tempeh deeper.

Step Two – Make the Russian Dressing In a small bowl, whisk all the ingredients for the Russian dressing together until well combined and smooth.

Step Three – Assemble the Vegan Sandwich Butter 4 slices of Sprouted Rye Seed Bread. Place them on a skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes, until lightly toasted. Flip the bread and on the uncooked side, add the Russian dressing to all 4 slices. Divide the sauerkraut between two slices, top with 2 pieces cooked tempeh, each, and a slice of vegan swiss, if using. Top with the second slice of bread and cook on each side for about 5 minutes, until bread is browned and everything is cooked all the way through.

Serving and Storing

Serving – Serve immediately with Creamy Tomato Soup or a large Caesar Salad.

Storing – Store leftover tempeh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Store leftover Russian Dressing in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

More Vegan Sandwich Recipes

Tempeh Reuben This Vegan Tempeh Reuben is made with marinated and grilled tempeh, homemade Russian Dressing, and seeded rye bread for a classic sandwich. 4.84 from 18 votes Did you make this recipe? Leave a comment and rate it below.

If you made any substitutions, let us know how it turned out! Prep Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Total Time: 40 mins Print Course: Main Course, Main Dish

Cuisine: Vegan

Servings : 2

Calories : 574 kcal

Author : Sarah McMinn

Main Course, Main DishVegan: 574 kcal Ingredients Marinated Tempeh 8 ounces 1 package tempeh

ounces 1 package tempeh 1/2 cup vegetable broth

vegetable broth 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon vegan Worcestershire sauce

tablespoon vegan Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon liquid smoke

teaspoon liquid smoke 1 teaspoon onion powder

teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

teaspoon smoked paprika 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder Everything Else 4 slices Alvarado’s Sprouted Rye Seed Bread

slices Alvarado’s Sprouted Rye Seed Bread 1/2 heaping cup Sauerkraut

heaping cup Sauerkraut 1/4 cup vegan Russian Dressing

vegan Russian Dressing vegan swiss cheese optional

2 tablespoons oil

tablespoons oil 1 tablespoon vegan butter US Customary – Metric Instructions Cut tempeh in half lengthwise and then cut it through the middle for 4 thin slices. Combine the ingredients for the tempeh marinade in a shallow dish. Add tempeh and marinate for at least 30 minutes. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat with 2 tablespoons oil. Add tempeh and cook for about 5 minutes per side, until dark brown. Once both sides are browned, add reserved marinade and let it cook-off in the skillet. This allows the flavors to seep into the tempeh deeper. Butter 4 slices of Sprouted Rye Seed Bread. Place on the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes, until lightly brown. Flip bread. On the cooked side, add Russian dressing to all slices of bread. Divide the sauerkraut between two slices, top with 2 pieces cooked tempeh, each, and a slice of vegan swiss, if using. Add the second slice of bread and cook on each side for about 5 minutes, until bread is browned and everything is cooked all the way through. Remove from heat and serve immediately. Recipe Video Recipe Notes Serving and Storing – Serve immediately with Creamy Tomato Soup or a large Caesar Salad. Store leftover tempeh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Leftover Russian Dressing can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Nutrition Facts Calories Per Serving: 574 % Daily Value Carbohydrates 47g 16% Protein 26g 52% Fat 33g 51% Saturated Fat 5g 31% Sodium 770mg 33% Potassium 664mg 19% Fiber 4g 17% Sugar 5g 6% Vitamin A 885IU 18% Vitamin C 1.1mg 1% Calcium 182mg 18% Iron 5.5mg 31%