Vegan Reuben Sandwich (Made With Mushrooms)

This vegan Reuben has one job: to be ridiculously satisfying. And with layers of chewy, roasted mushrooms, buttery rye, melty cheese, and tangy sauerkraut, it’s absolutely nailing it.

Some sandwiches stay tidy, behave themselves, and keep your hands clean. A Reuben is not that sandwich. It’s tangy, messy, loaded with layers, and absolutely impossible to eat neatly. And this vegan Reuben? It delivers all of that magic—without the beef. Instead, we’re using thinly sliced, marinated mushrooms that get roasted to chewy, umami-packed perfection. Stack them onto buttery toasted rye, melt in some Swiss-style vegan cheese, pile on the sauerkraut, and slather it all with creamy Reuben dressing. The result? A sandwich that demands two hands, plenty of napkins, and zero hesitation.

Mushrooms are kind of like spinach—they cook down way more than you expect. But instead of disappearing, they intensify in flavor, giving us that deep, rich, meaty bite that makes this sandwich ridiculously good. If you’ve ever doubted mushrooms as a sandwich star, this vegan Reuben will absolutely change your mind. It’s got the chew, the crunch, the melty, tangy, creamy everything, and just like the original, it’s not afraid to be a little messy.

Why You’ll Love This Vegan Reuben

This vegan Reuben sandwich is big, messy, drippy, and loaded with flavor—exactly how a Reuben should be. The marinated mushrooms bring all the chewy, savory goodness, while the tangy sauerkraut, melty vegan Swiss-style cheese, and creamy Reuben dressing make it a total flavor bomb. If you love a hearty, no-compromise plant-based sandwich, this one’s for you. Here’s why it works:

• Big Flavor, Zero Beef Needed: Marinated and roasted portobello mushrooms bring all the chewy, umami-packed goodness that makes a Reuben sandwich so satisfying—minus the meat. It’s smoky, savory, and so good!
• The Best Vegan Reuben Dressing: This creamy, tangy, slightly sweet dressing is the magic that holds this whole sandwich together. Made with vegan mayo, ketchup, relish, and a splash of Worcestershire, it’s that just-right balance of rich and zesty. Call it Thousand Island or Russian Dressing—either way, it’s the kind of sauce you’ll want to put on everything.
• Melty, Gooey, Toasty Perfection: A vegan Reuben sandwich isn’t complete without melty Swiss-style cheese, buttery toasted rye, and that crisp, golden crunch. This one delivers all of the above!
• Tangy, Savory, and Straight-Up Dreamy: The combo of smoky, roasted mushrooms, punchy sauerkraut, and that creamy Reuben dressing is what makes every bite bold, balanced, and completely irresistible.
• A Little Messy (in the Best Way): Some sandwiches are polite. This is not one of them. Expect cheese pulls, dressing drips, and exactly zero regrets—just the way a vegan Reuben should be.

Key Ingredients

A great vegan Reuben sandwich isn’t just about stacking ingredients together—it’s about getting every layer to do the most. From smoky, marinated mushrooms to melty cheese and tangy sauerkraut, each piece plays a role in making this sandwich big, bold, and completely addictive. Here’s what you need and why it matters:

• Portobello Mushrooms (The Meaty Magic): Think of portobellos as the MVP of this sandwich. When thinly sliced and marinated, they soak up all the smoky, savory goodness of steak seasoning, Worcestershire, and vinegar. Roasting them intensifies their flavor, giving them that chewy, meaty bite that makes this sandwich feel hearty and satisfying.
• Steak Seasoning (For Bold, Smoky Flavor): We’re skipping the corned beef but keeping all the depth and spice. Steak seasoning brings in a hit of salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic, which helps the mushrooms taste rich and full-bodied.
• Vegan Mayo (For Creamy, Tangy Goodness): No Reuben is complete without a dreamy, creamy dressing, and vegan mayo is the perfect base. It makes the sauce smooth, rich, and spreadable, giving every bite that classic Reuben feel.
• Dill Pickles (A Zippy, Crunchy Boost): Dill pickles aren’t just for snacking—they add brightness and crunch to balance out the richness of the mushrooms and cheese. Chop them up for the dressing, or add thin slices directly to the sandwich if you love that extra punch of acidity.
• Vegan Worcestershire (Adds A Deep, Savory Umami): Traditional Worcestershire contains anchovies, but vegan Worcestershire delivers all the salty-sweet tang without the fish. It’s what gives the mushrooms that deep, complex, umami-packed flavor that makes this sandwich sing.
• Rye Bread (For Toasted, Buttery Perfection): You could use another bread, but a vegan Reuben on anything but rye is just a grilled sandwich. Rye’s deep, slightly tangy flavor and crisp, golden crust make it 100% worth it.
• Vegan Swiss (To Add That Melty Factor): The best vegan Reuben recipe needs cheese that actually melts. Swiss is classic, but vegan gouda or provolone also bring that smooth, creamy texture that ties everything together.
• Sauerkraut (The Tangy, Probiotic Kick): This is where the magic happens. Sauerkraut brings that sharp, briny bite that cuts through the richness of the mushrooms and cheese, making every bite bright, balanced, and just the right amount of salty-sour. It’s the contrast that keeps you coming back for more—because a Reuben without sauerkraut? Not even an option.

How to Make

Building the best vegan Reuben sandwich is all about layering textures and flavors—a little smoky, a little tangy, a lot of melty, toasty goodness. Here’s the simple process to bring it all together. (For full recipe details, scroll to the end of this post!)

• Step 1: Roast the Mushrooms – Thinly slice portobellos, marinate them in Worcestershire, vinegar, and steak seasoning. Roast until chewy and packed with umami.
• Step 2: Mix the Dressing – Whisk together vegan mayo, ketchup, relish, and Worcestershire for a creamy, tangy sauce that brings everything together.
• Step 3: Toast the Rye Bread – Butter up rye slices and grill until they’re crispy and golden brown. A good Reuben needs a solid crunch!
• Step 4: Stack It Up – Layer roasted mushrooms, sauerkraut, vegan Swiss, and a generous slather of dressing.
• Step 5: Grill Until Perfect – Press onto a hot skillet until the cheese is melty and the bread is crispy on both sides.

A traditional Reuben comes with a crisp pickle spear and a salty pile of potato chips—the ultimate crunchy, briny contrast to all that melty, toasty, tangy comfort food goodness. Be sure to grab lots of napkins before you dive in!

FAQs

More Vegan Sandwiches To Try

• Vegan Pulled Pork
• Crispy Fried Tofu Sandwich
• Vegan Banh Mi
• Tempeh Reuben

Have you made this vegan Reuben recipe? Let us know! Drop a comment and a star rating below—your feedback helps others and makes our day.