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Reuben Fritters

Reubens become party food with these delicious Reuben Fritters with a Thousand Island Dipping Sauce. The base is mashed potatoes with chopped corned beef, swiss cheese, and sauerkraut added in. They’re formed into balls, coated in Panko crumbs, and fried until golden.

Reuben Fritters in a basket with Thousand Island dressing.

Anything tastes good deep-fried right?

Especially when dipped in sauce.

Reuben sandwiches are my favorite. I love the tang of the sauerkraut, the gooey swiss cheese mixed with the sweetness of a Thousand Island dressing or Russian Dressing. Besides a traditional Reuben sandwich, there are all kinds of ways you can enjoy the flavors of a Reuben including Reuben Dip and Reuben Crescent Rolls.

This is a great recipe to make when you have leftover mashed potatoes or you made Reuben sandwiches and just have a little of each ingredient left.

Reuben Fritters in basket.

How To Make Reuben Fritters

(More detailed directions below.)

  1. Mix together the Thousand Island ingredients and refrigerate until needed. Note: Store-bought dressing can be used as a timesaver.
  2. Combine the mashed potatoes, corned beefm swiss cheese, green onions, and Thousand Island.
  3. Shape mixture into balls. Dip in egg wash and then coat in Panko crumbs.
  4. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes. This will help them hold their shape when they fry.
  5. Fry in batches in 350 degree oil.

Ingredient Notes

  • Corned Beef- You can use deli-sliced corned beef or leftover St Patrick’s Day Corned Beef. Or you can use pastrami instead.
  • Thousand Island Sauce- As a shortcut, you can use store-bought Thousand Island Dressing for dipping.
  • Swiss Cheese- If you don’t like swiss cheese, try using Pepper Jack, Provolone cheese, or Monterey Jack cheese.

Recipe Tips

  • Add a quarter cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese for more flavor.
  • You want to use leftover mashed potatoes that are fairly thick and stiff.
Reuben Frittes in basket with small bowl of Thousand Island dressing.

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Reuben Fritters

These crispy Reuben Fritters are made from mashed potatoes with chopped up corned beef, sauerkraut, and swiss cheese mixed in. Fried until crispy and served with Thousand Island dressing. A delicious twist on the classic Reuben sandwich.
PREP: 40 minutes
COOK: 10 minutes
TOTAL: 50 minutes
SERVINGS: 14 fritters

Ingredients

Thousand Island Sauce

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 3 tablespoons ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons chopped sweet pickles
  • pinch of salt

Fritters

  • 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes
  • 2/3 cup finely chopped corned beef
  • 2/3 cup shredded swiss cheese
  • 1/3 cup sauerkraut, drained well (squeeze dry in paper towels)
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 1/2 cups panko crumbs
  • Vegetable oil

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients for Thousand Island sauce in a bowl and refrigerate.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together mashed potatoes, corned beef, swiss cheese. sauerkraut, and green onions. Form into balls a little smaller than golf balls.
  • In a bowl, whisk together eggs and water.
  • Place panko crumbs in a pie plate.
  • Dip each fritter ball in egg mixture and then coat in panko crumbs. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  • Pour about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven. Heat oil to 350 degrees and fry fritters in batches until golden.
  • Serve with dipping sauce.

Notes

As a shortcut, you can use store-bought Thousand Island Dressing.

Nutrition

Calories: 286kcal
Author: Christin Mahrlig
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: corned beef, mashed potatoes, St Patrick’s Day

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Originally posted February 18, 2016.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

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19 thoughts on “Reuben Fritters”

  1. If you can cook this dish and play smash karts is best. I often cook this dish because of its taste. It’s really yummy. In addition, your recipe is easy to understand. I can follow it.

  2. Bella's Mom

    I’m not Irish but was trying to find authentic Irish style foods for a party I’m throwing this weekend. I saw that Aldis featured this type of fritter but had sold out. I found this recipe and think it sounds great. To the person who complained, don’t eat it. This is very easy to make and not too expensive. Thank you for the recipe!

  3. I just made these 2/11/2018 I used instant potatoes although very soft they are delicious. I added Parmesan cheese to them as well as Swiss cheese, I think Swiss is a bit blah. Really good. Give them a try. Just a note use stiff potatoes add a littl flour to make them more stable. They are fine the way they are just very soft. Thank you for the recipe. 👍🏻

  4. Barbara stetzik

    So disappointed in the Reuben fritter. Potatoes do not belong in a rueben. Even added more cornbeef and kraut to kick it up . Didn’t really change the taste. Will not be making them again.

  5. These look perfectly crispy and so delicious! Such a great idea! I love the sound of the dip too!

  6. Holly | Beyond Kimchee

    Looks so crispy! What a great idea to use as fritters! I bet this would be gone soon at the parties. Your dip looks delicious, too!

  7. I just got some sauerkraut the other day so now I think I know a good way to use it. These look crazy good! My mouth is watering. ?

  8. Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven

    These fritters look INSANELY good, Christin! This is seriously such a genius idea, and I’m pretty sure I could easily devour all of these beauties!

  9. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

    Oh this is such a good idea, Christin! I think I would devour this entire batch in no time. I love your creative spin on a classic!

  10. Thao @ In Good Flavor

    The world would be a sad place without fried food. I’m always tossing out leftover mashed potatoes. What a creative way to repurpose it in Rueben fritter form! I love all that deep fried golden exterior, Christin!

  11. Mary // chattavore

    Yum, Christin! I’ve got some Reuben recipes coming down the pike too. These look AMAZING.

  12. Ashley@CookNourishBliss

    Oh these are making me start to get hungry for dinner!! And with that sauce for dipping ….

  13. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary

    Reubens are my all time favorite sammies, so when I saw these on Instagram, I almost fell outta my chair! Talk about crazy deliciousness that I want up in my face IMMEDIATELY! These fritters are bomb, Christin! And that dip I just want to slather on all the things! PINNED! Cheers, friend!

  14. These look so golden brown and crispy, and it was such a genius idea to give these fritters a reuben twist!

  15. Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor

    Wow, these are such a great idea! You always make the best fried food, Christin. The dip sounds irresistible too!

  16. Oh my, these sound sinful! I love getting reubens out, so have never made them at home. These seem like the perfect excuse to do so though!

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