What Bread to Use for Reuben Sandwiches (12 Breads)
When you’re looking for the perfect Reuben sandwich, there’s one thing you need to consider above all others: the bread.

With so many different kinds of bread out there, it can be hard to know which one will make your sandwich taste just right.
The good news is that we’ve done all the research for you!
We’ve put together a list of our top 12 picks for the best kind of bread for Reuben sandwiches and why they’re great!
Read Also: Reuben Sandwich Wine Pairing: Best Wines for Reuben Sandwiches
What Bread to Use for Reuben Sandwiches?
The best kind of bread for Reuben sandwiches is rye. Rye is the traditional bread for this sandwich, and it’s also the most delicious. Not only does it have a unique flavor that pairs perfectly with corned beef, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut, but it also has a hearty texture that holds up well under heat and pressure.

1. Rye Bread

This hearty bread has a rich flavor that pairs perfectly with corned beef and melted Swiss cheese.
If you’re looking for something that won’t get soggy too quickly or fall apart when biting into it, rye bread is your best bet.
2. Brioche Bread

This soft and buttery loaf is perfect for those who like their Reuben sandwiches on the sweeter side.
It has a lovely sweet flavor that complements corned beef beautifully.
3. Sourdough Bread

Sourdough is similar to rye but with an extra tangy kick thanks to its fermented nature (and it also makes great bread bowls).
4. Whole Wheat Bread

If you want something a little more light-flavored than rye or pumpernickel, try whole wheat bread—it still has enough substance to stand up to all those ingredients without getting lost in them.
5. French bread
This is one of the most traditional options, and it’s also one of the easiest.
Just slice up some French bread, coat it with butter or margarine, and toast it.
The trick here is to keep an eye on it—you want the bread to be golden brown, not burnt.
6. Pumpernickel bread

This dark rye bread has an earthy flavor that will stand up to the strong flavors in your Reuben without overpowering them like white bread would do.
It also has enough sponginess to soak up some extra juices without getting soggy while still holding its shape well enough so you can pick up your sandwich without having everything fall out the sides!
7. Round Crusty Loaf
Round crusty loaves have a nice, thick crust and can hold up to the sauerkraut that’s often found in Reuben sandwiches.
They’re also great because they have a soft white interior that absorbs the flavors from the meat and cheese.
This makes them very flavorful, but not too heavy.
8. Italian Bread

This bread has a chewy texture and is perfect for any kind of sandwich that needs a little extra flavor.
It has an Italian-style crust with big holes in it, which helps keep the inside of your sandwich moist while still allowing you to get some crunch from the outside of the bread.
9. Ciabatta Bread

Ciabatta bread is made from wheat flour and water—no yeast!
That makes it great for sandwiches because it won’t get soggy after sitting out for awhile.
Plus, it has a hearty texture that adds substance to whatever you put between two slices of Ciabatta—and what could be better than that?
10. Multi-Grain Bread

This bread is a good choice if you want something that’s going to be soft but also have a little bit of crunch to it.
It’s great for sandwiches because it won’t get soggy too quickly, which means that your Reuben will stay fresh and tasty until the very last bite.
11. Marble Rye Bread

This type of bread has a slightly sweet taste, which pairs well with the savory ingredients in a Reuben sandwich.
It’s also got a firm crust but soft interior, so it holds up well when you’re cutting into it—it won’t crumble or fall apart!
12. Challah Bread

Challah is often used for holiday meals because it’s soft and has a mild taste that doesn’t overpower other flavors in the meal.
It’s also got a nice golden color from being baked with egg yolks in the dough, which results in a beautiful presentation when sliced into thin pieces for sandwiches!
How to Pick the Right Bread to Use for Your Reuben Sandwich
Bread is a big deal when it comes to Reuben sandwiches.
It’s the foundation of the whole thing—the first thing you taste and the thing that makes or breaks your sandwich.
So picking the right bread is super important.
We’ve got 5 things you should consider when choosing the right bread for your Reuben:
- Texture: You want something that has a bit of a chew, but not too much—you want to be able to bite through it without feeling like it’ll break your teeth. It also needs to have a nice crustiness to it so that it adds texture when you bite into it.
- Breadiness: This one’s easy—you want something that tastes like bread! If you can’t tell what kind of bread it is by tasting it, then there’s no point in using it in your sandwich.
- Crustiness: This is another key component for any good Reuben sandwich, because having an extra-crusty slice of bread will help keep all those delicious sauerkraut juices inside so they don’t run off onto your plate or hands while eating!
- Availability: Look at your options! See if there are any stores near where you live where they carry that brand or type of bread and make sure they carry enough stock so that you don’t have trouble finding what you need when making your sandwich.
- Price: This one’s important because if you’re going to spend $4 on a sandwich, don’t skimp on its foundation! Buy good bread and make sure there are other ingredients in there besides just meat (pickles and sauerkraut count).

What Bread to Use for Reuben Sandwiches (12 Best Breads)
Ingredients
- Rye Bread
- Brioche Bread
- Sourdough Bread
- Whole Wheat Bread
- French bread
- Pumpernickel bread
- Round Crusty Loaf
- Italian Bread
- Ciabatta Bread
- Multi-Grain Bread
- Marble Rye Bread
- Challah Bread
Instructions
- Pick your favorite kind of bread from this list to use for your Reuben sandwich.
- Prepare the rest of your delicious sandwich.
- Be ready to munch in no time!