Why This Slow Cooker Reuben Dip Works Every Time
Man, the way everything just melts together in the Crock Pot is kind of wild. You get this creamy, tangy base that somehow tastes exactly like biting into those slow cooker reuben sandwiches, but way easier to share.
The cheese gets all gooey and stretchy. The corned beef stays tender without drying out.
✅ Ready in 2 hours on LOW
✅ Perfect warm appetizer for game day
✅ Uses basic deli ingredients
✅ Stays warm in the Crock Pot for hours
✅ No babysitting required
And honestly, the best part? You can start it right when people arrive and it’ll be ready by halftime
What Goes Into This Slow Cooker Reuben Dip
The cream cheese creates this smooth, rich base that holds everything together. You want the full-fat block, not the spreadable kind.
✔ Cream cheese (8 oz block, softened at room temperature for easier mixing)
✔ Swiss cheese (shredded, not sliced, melts way better in the Slow Cooker)
✔ Chopped corned beef (from the deli section, ask them to slice it thick so you can chop it yourself, or use leftover corned beef in Crock Pot)
✔ Sauerkraut drained (squeeze it dry with paper towels, seriously, wring it out like your life depends on it)
✔ Thousand Island dressing (store-bought works perfect, or make your own if you’re feeling fancy)
The sauerkraut is critical. If you don’t squeeze out all that liquid, your dip will be watery and sad.
How to Make Slow Cooker Reuben Dip Step by Step
This is where the magic happens, and trust me, it’s stupid easy. The Slow Cooker does all the heavy lifting while you’re setting up for the party.
- Mix the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, and Thousand Island dressing in a bowl until smooth and combined.
- Fold in the well-drained sauerkraut and chopped corned beef until everything’s evenly distributed.
- Stir in 1½ cups of the shredded Swiss cheese, saving the rest for later.
- Transfer the mixture to your greased Crock Pot and spread it evenly.
- Sprinkle the remaining Swiss cheese on top in an even layer.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 2 hours until bubbly and the cheese melts completely.
- Set to warm and serve with rye crackers or toasted bread cubes.
I usually give it a quick stir before serving, but that’s optional. Some people like the top layer of cheese intact.
Getting the Perfect Texture in Your Slow Cooker Reuben Dip
You’ll know it’s ready when the edges start bubbling and the cheese on top turns golden. The whole thing should look creamy and smooth, not separated or oily.
LOW setting works best for this one. Takes about 2 hours, maybe 2½ if your Crock Pot runs cool.
The smell will hit you around the 90-minute mark. That’s when the Swiss really starts releasing those nutty, tangy notes.
Don’t lift the lid during the first hour. Seriously. I know it’s tempting, but every time you peek, you add 15 minutes to the cook time. Bennett learned this the hard way when he kept checking if it was “ready yet” and dinner got delayed.
If you’re in a rush, you can do HIGH for about 1 hour, but watch it closely. The edges can dry out if you’re not careful.
Ways to Switch Up This Slow Cooker Reuben Dip
Listen, the classic version is solid, but sometimes you want to mix things up. Here’s what I’ve tried that actually worked.
Spicy Kicked-Up Version
Add a few dashes of hot sauce or some diced jalapeños to the cream cheese mixture. Rachel actually requested this version last time because she said the original was “too mild.” (She’s from Texas, so everything’s too mild.)
The heat cuts through the richness really nice. Just don’t go overboard, Bennett still needs to eat something.
Reuben Dip Without Mayo Slow Cooker Style
Replace the mayo with sour cream if you’re not a mayo person. I get it, some folks just can’t do mayo.
The texture stays creamy, but you get this tangier flavor that’s actually pretty good. My coworker at the hospital swears by this version.
Turkey Reuben Dip
Swap the corned beef for deli turkey. I did this once when King Soopers was out of corned beef and honestly? Still delicious.
Lighter flavor, but the Swiss and sauerkraut still carry the whole Reuben vibe. Good option if you’re trying to keep things a bit healthier (or if Noah’s friend who doesn’t eat beef is coming over).
Now, if you’re wondering about sides or crock pot italian beef sandwiches, I’ve got some solid options that won’t disappoint.
What to Serve with Slow Cooker Reuben Dip
Toasted Rye Bread Cubes
Cut up some rye bread, toss with a little butter, and toast in the oven until crispy. This is the move if you want that authentic Reuben sandwich experience. We go through like two loaves every time I make this for the church potluck.
Pretzel Crisps
These hold up way better than regular crackers when you’re scooping a heavy dip. Plus, that salty pretzel flavor actually complements the tangy sauerkraut. Found this combo by accident when I grabbed the wrong bag at Costco.
Pumpernickel Chips
Little thinner than bread, sturdier than crackers. The slight sweetness of pumpernickel plays really nice against all that savory, cheesy goodness.
Rye Crackers
Simple, classic, gets the job done. I always keep a box in the pantry because they last forever and work with pretty much any dip. Noah likes these because they don’t “taste weird” like the fancy crackers.
Sliced Veggies
Okay, hear me out. Carrot sticks and bell pepper strips actually work if you need something crunchy and want to pretend you’re being healthy. Rachel always puts these out and they disappear faster than you’d think.
Got leftovers? Let me show you how to keep them good.
How to Store Your Slow Cooker Reuben Dip
This keeps really well if you do it right. I’ve had it last almost a week, which never actually happens because we finish it way before that.
Storage
- At room temperature: Don’t. Dairy and meat combo sitting out is asking for trouble. Eat it within 2 hours of making it.
- In the fridge: Transfer to an airtight container once it cools down. Keeps for 4-5 days easy. Sometimes longer, but I don’t push it.
- In the freezer: Honestly, I wouldn’t. The cream cheese and sauerkraut don’t thaw well. Texture gets weird and separated.
Reheating
Microwave works fine. Put a portion in a bowl, cover with a damp paper towel, heat in 30-second bursts, stirring between each one. Takes maybe 90 seconds total.
Back in the Crock Pot on LOW is even better if you’ve got time. Add a splash of milk if it looks too thick. Takes about 30 minutes to get hot again, but the texture stays creamy.
Stovetop in a small pot over low heat works too. Just keep stirring so the bottom doesn’t burn.
Anti-waste tip
Leftover dip makes an insane grilled cheese filling. Spread it on sourdough with extra Swiss, grill until crispy. Bennett actually ate vegetables this way because the sauerkraut was “hidden.”
Still got questions? I probably have answers.
Common Questions About Slow Cooker Reuben Dip
The first time I made this, I definitely had some doubts. Mostly about whether everything would actually melt together or just turn into a separated mess.
Can you use canned sauerkraut for crock pot reuben dip?
Yeah, canned works perfect. Just drain it really well and squeeze out all the liquid with paper towels before adding it in.
How long to heat reuben dip on low in Slow Cooker?
About 2 hours on LOW gets you that perfectly melted, bubbly texture. Could take up to 2½ hours if your Crock Pot runs cool.
Why did my reuben dip turn out watery?
Happened to me too. The sauerkraut wasn’t drained enough. You gotta really squeeze it dry, like aggressively dry, or it releases all that liquid.
Can I make hot reuben dip in crock pot ahead of time?
Mix everything the night before, keep it in the fridge, then just dump it in the Crock Pot when you’re ready. Saves tons of time on game day.
Full Slow Cooker Reuben Dip Recipe
This dip tastes like someone took a classic deli Reuben and turned it into the ultimate party food. Creamy, tangy, with that perfect Swiss cheese stretch. After a long shift at the hospital, coming home to this warming in the Crock Pot feels like a small victory.
Slow Cooker Reuben Dip
Equipment
- 6-quart Crock Pot or slow cooker
- Mixing bowl
- spatula
- Whisk
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 0.5 cup mayonnaise
- 0.5 cup Thousand Island dressing
- 1 cup sauerkraut drained and squeezed completely dry
- 2 cups chopped corned beef from deli section
- 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese divided
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, and Thousand Island dressing. Mix with a whisk or spatula until completely smooth with no lumps.
- Add the well-drained sauerkraut and chopped corned beef to the bowl. Fold everything together until evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Stir in 1½ cups of the shredded Swiss cheese, reserving the remaining ½ cup for topping.
- Lightly grease your Crock Pot with cooking spray or butter. Transfer the mixture into the slow cooker and spread it out evenly with a spatula.
- Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup Swiss cheese evenly over the top of the dip.
- Cover with the lid and cook on LOW for 2 hours, or until the dip is hot throughout and the cheese on top has melted and started to turn golden at the edges.
- Once done, give it a gentle stir if you want, or leave the top layer intact for presentation. Set to WARM and serve immediately with rye crackers, toasted bread cubes, or pumpernickel chips.
Notes
- If you want to add some caraway seeds, toss in about a teaspoon with the sauerkraut. Gives it that classic deli rye bread flavor.
- For a lighter version, you can use reduced-fat cream cheese and Greek yogurt instead of mayo, but the texture won’t be quite as rich.
- I found that if you add a handful of chopped green onions right before serving, it brightens up the whole thing and adds a nice color contrast.
- The dip holds really well on the WARM setting for up to 3 hours, perfect for long parties or game day marathons.
Try This Slow Cooker Reuben Dip Soon
That first bite when the cheese is still stretchy and hot? That’s what keeps people coming back to this dip. Seriously, make it for your next gathering and watch it disappear.
If you try it, I’d love to know how it turned out. Drop a comment below or rate the recipe with the stars above. Snap a pic and tag #SlowCookComfort and @SlowCookComfort so I can see your version.
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