Reuben Fritters | A Leftover Corned Beef Appetizer Recipe (2024)

3K Shares

Jump to Recipe

These Reuben Fritters are a fun way to turn leftover corned beef into tasty appetizers! Crispy fried on the outside with a creamy, cheesy center!

Got leftover Corned Beef? We feel you, check out these Irish Nachos for appetizers or dinner! Or you can try this for a whole different meal!

Reuben Fritters | A Leftover Corned Beef Appetizer Recipe (1)

A Leftover Corned Beef Recipe

BUT…you don’t HAVE to have leftover corned beef. So as much as we love making these Reuben Fritters after St. Patrick’s Day with our leftover corned beef, you can always grab some right from the deli counter.

That’s something new to me, so I thought I’d mention it. I always seem to get the same stuff at the deli counter, ham, turkey, cheese. The basics. Then one day I realized they have things like sliced pork, teriyaki flank steak and yep – corned beef.

So don’t wait until after your St. Patrick’s Day party to make these delicious, crispy fritters. Make them whenever you want!

What Are The Ingredients For These Reuben Fritters?

All you’ll need is a few basic ingredients and some oil for frying!

  • Leftover Corned Beef or corned beef from the deli: You’ll need about 3/4 of a pound of corned beef for these fritters.
  • Cream Cheese: Make sure you bring the cream cheese to room temperature so that it blends well with the rest of the filling.
  • Sauerkraut: You can buy sauerkraut right at the deli counter or in the produce department at your grocery store.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: You can also use Swiss cheese, or Gruyere but mozzarella is a more mild flavor.
  • Bread Crumbs: Panko bread crumbs make these fritters extra crispy!
  • Oil for Frying: Use vegetable or canola oil for the best frying results.
  • Thousand Island Dressing:Store bought or homemade, whichever you prefer!

Reuben Fritters | A Leftover Corned Beef Appetizer Recipe (2)

How Do You Make Reuben Fritters?

All you need to do is mix together the corned beef, cream cheese, sauerkraut and seasonings and form them into balls like you see below. Then start the breading process by dipping the balls in flour, egg and lastly bread crumbs.

Drop your fritters into a large pot of canola oil that’s at about 350º. If you don’t have a thermometer you can stick the handle of a wooden spoon in the oil and if bubbles form all around it you’re at about 350º.

Fry up these Reuben Fritters for 4 minutes until they’re golden brown then remove to a paper towel lined plate to cool. Season them with salt while they’re still hot so that the seasoning sticks to the fritters.

Reuben Fritters | A Leftover Corned Beef Appetizer Recipe (3)

Can You Make These Fritters Ahead Of Time?

Yep and you can do it a couple of ways.

One way is to make the fritters up until the point of frying them and then stash them in your refrigerator until you’re ready to fry them. Then just fry and serve.

Another way to do it is to cook the fritters through to the end, let them cool completely and then freeze them in a single layer in a freezer bag or container. Bake the fritters from frozen at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes and then serve.

Reuben Fritters | A Leftover Corned Beef Appetizer Recipe (4)

Now it’s time to eat! Serve these Rueben Fritters while they’re still hot, you can keep them warm in the oven until you’re ready for up to an hour beforehand. Serve with Thousand Island dressing for dipping and it’s time to party.

Looking For More Leftover Corned Beef Recipes?

Corned Beef Hash

Cheesy Corned Beef Tater Tots

Creamy Corned Beef and Potato Chowder

Corned Beef Stuffed Mushrooms

PIN IT!

Reuben Fritters | A Leftover Corned Beef Appetizer Recipe (5)

Print

Reuben Fritters | A Leftover Corned Beef Appetizer Recipe (6)

Reuben Fritters

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.3 from 7 reviews
  • Author: Dan
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 30 1x

Print Recipe

These delicious, crispy fried fritters are an awesome way to use up leftover corned beef! No corned beef? Head to your deli counter and grab some!

Scale

Ingredients

  • 3/4 lb. corned beef, chopped (you can use leftover corned beef or get it at the deli)
  • 1 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 c. sauerkraut, rinsed
  • 6 oz. cream cheese at room temperature
  • 1/2 t. garlic powder
  • 1/4 t. salt, plus extra for seasoning the fritters
  • 1 T. dijon mustard
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1/2 c. flour
  • 1 1/2 c. panko bread crumbs
  • vegetable or canola oil for frying
  • thousand island dressing for dipping

Instructions

  1. Set a large pot filled half way with canola or vegetable oil over medium heat. You’re looking for the oil to get to about 350º. If you have a thermometer that works best but a good way to check is to put the end of a wooden spoon in the oil, if it bubbles you’re good.
  2. Combine the corned beef, mozzarella cheese, sauerkraut, cream cheese, garlic powder, salt and dijon in a large bowl.
  3. Beat together with a hand mixer until well combined.
  4. Using a 1 1/2 tablespoon scoop, portion out the filling into balls.
  5. Set up a breading station with three bowls, one for the flour, one for the eggs and another for the panko.
  6. Dip each ball into the flour first, then the egg and last the panko.
  7. Repeat until all the fritters are breaded.
  8. Once your oil reaches temperature, carefully drop about 6-8 fritters at a time into your oil and fry for 4-5 minutes until golden brown.
  9. Remove to a paper towel lined plate to cool and season with kosher salt.
  10. Repeat until all the fritters are fried and serve with the thousand island dressing for dipping.
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Deep Fry
  • Cuisine: American

You Might Also Like:

  • Corn Dog Fritters

  • Foolproof Valentine's Day Dinner Recipes

  • Slow Cooker Italian Beef

3K Shares

Reuben Fritters | A Leftover Corned Beef Appetizer Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is a Reuben made with corned beef or pastrami? ›

A Reuben sandwich is typically made with corned beef. It would taste great with pastrami too, it just wouldn't be a classic Reuben! Bottom line: You can't go wrong with either of these flavor-packed deli meats.

What to serve with corned beef sandwiches? ›

Layer on some pickles, pickle relish, or caramelized onions if you want somethin' a bit extra. Serving ideas: Sandwich + chips is a classic combo, but we also love this meal with potato salad, coleslaw, or smashed potatoes.

Can corned beef be turned into pastrami? ›

Remove corned beef from water, discard water and dry off the surface of corned beef. Coat corned beef generously with 1/4 cup pastrami rub and preheat smoker to 275°F. Smoke beef 6 hours or until the internal temperature of the pastrami reaches 190°F.

Can you fry canned corned beef? ›

To pan-fry canned corned beef, heat some oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the corned beef and cook until browned and heated through, stirring occasionally.

Is Arby's Reuben real corned beef? ›

About the Sandwich

Marbled rye bread filled with freshly sliced corned beef, melty Swiss Cheese, tangy sauerkraut and creamy Thousand Island dressing. This is a Reuben sandwich inspired by the New York standard.

Which is healthier, corned beef or pastrami? ›

Though pastrami and corned beef have the same nutritional elements, like protein and fat content, they have different quantities of salt. The sodium content in corned beef is higher compared to pastrami. Because of this, many people consider pastrami healthier and more flavorful than corned beef.

What's the difference between a Rachel and a Reuben? ›

Perhaps owing to its absence of an exact origin story, the Rachel is certainly more of a pliable sandwich than the classic Reuben as far as ingredients are concerned. The first major difference is that the Rachel swaps brisket-based corned beef for pastrami, which comes from a comparatively leaner cut of the cow.

What do the Irish eat with corned beef? ›

» Food and Drink

Traditional Irish foods like corned beef and cabbage, Boxty, and Irish soda bread, are often served on Saint Patrick's Day. Drinking green beer or Guinness on St. Patrick's Day is also a popular tradition. People drink a lot of Guinness on this holiday!

Can you eat leftover corned beef? ›

The flavor and texture will diminish with prolonged freezing but the product is still safe. After cooking, corned beef may be refrigerated for about three to four days and frozen for about two to three months.

What cheese goes with pastrami? ›

Add provolone to one slice and Swiss to the other slice. Grill until bread is toasted and cheese has melted, approximately 5 minutes, then remove from the flattop.

Is canned corned beef good for a sandwich? ›

If you're not prepared to marinate and roast a brisket, canned corn beef is pretty useful. You can slice it up for sandwiches or shred it for casseroles, or use it to make a variety of international dishes, like Filipino cornsilog, Jamaican bully beef, and Puerto Rican carne bif.

Is canned corned beef the same as corned beef? ›

The second and most obvious difference between canned and fresh corned beef is how they are cooked. Canned corned beef is cooked during the canning process, while non-canned corned beef can be cooked in a variety of ways. Most commonly, corned beef brisket is slow cooked by braising or boiling.

How do you use a can of corned beef? ›

Whether you're adding it to a classic casserole, stuffing it into empanadas, or combining it with rice to make a hearty burrito, canned corned beef can bring a depth of flavor that's both comforting and utterly satisfying. So grab that can opener and get ready to elevate your canned corned beef game!

Does canned corned beef need to be cooked? ›

As far as simple dishes like sandwiches, because the meat is cooked ahead of time, it's fine to open a can, add some mayo and mustard to a roll, and top that with the corned beef, Swiss cheese, and possibly some sauerkraut.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Geoffrey Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 6460

Rating: 5 / 5 (80 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Geoffrey Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1997-03-23

Address: 74183 Thomas Course, Port Micheal, OK 55446-1529

Phone: +13408645881558

Job: Global Representative

Hobby: Sailing, Vehicle restoration, Rowing, Ghost hunting, Scrapbooking, Rugby, Board sports

Introduction: My name is Geoffrey Lueilwitz, I am a zealous, encouraging, sparkling, enchanting, graceful, faithful, nice person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.