Description
Reuben Balls with Spicy Thousand Island Dipping Sauce are crispy, cheesy bites packed with corned beef, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut, served with a zesty, creamy dipping sauce. Perfect for parties, game days, or as a fun appetizer.
Ingredients
1 ½ cups chopped or shredded corned beef
1 cup sauerkraut, drained and squeezed dry
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
½ cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs, beaten
1 ½ cups breadcrumbs (panko recommended)
Vegetable oil, for frying
½ cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon pickle relish
1 teaspoon hot sauce (adjust to taste)
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, cream cheese, and Dijon mustard. Mix well and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Scoop the mixture into approximately 1-inch portions and roll into balls. Place on a lined baking sheet and refrigerate again.
- Prepare three bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs. Coat each ball in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs until fully coated.
- Heat vegetable oil in a pan or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C). Fry the balls in batches for 2–3 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, pickle relish, hot sauce, and smoked paprika. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Serve the Reuben Balls warm with the spicy Thousand Island dipping sauce.
Notes
Use ground corned beef for a finer texture in the filling.
Substitute Swiss cheese with Gruyère for a nuttier flavor.
Add a teaspoon of horseradish to the dipping sauce for extra kick.
Bake instead of fry for a lighter version (400°F/200°C for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway).
Make mini Reuben Balls for cocktail-style servings.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 balls
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
