Prepare the Russian Dressing: In a small bowl, combine all the Russian dressing ingredients – mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well until everything is thoroughly combined. Adjust the seasoning to your taste preference. Cover the dressing and refrigerate until ready to use.

Assemble the Reuben Sandwich: Lay out 8 slices of rye bread on a clean surface. Divide the Russian dressing evenly and spread it on one side of each slice.

Build the Reuben layers: On four slices of bread (with the dressing side up), layer the following in order:

Thinly sliced corned beef (around 4-5 slices per sandwich)

A generous amount of sauerkraut (drain it well to avoid sogginess)

Two slices of Swiss cheese

Top it off: Place the remaining four slices of bread on top of each sandwich, dressing side down.

Grill the Sandwiches: Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Spread a thin layer of softened butter on the outside of each sandwich.

Cook the Reuben sandwiches: Place the buttered sandwiches on the skillet or griddle and cook until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted, typically around 3-4 minutes per side. Make sure to press down on the sandwiches with a spatula while cooking for a nicely compressed sandwich.

Serve and enjoy: Once both sides are toasted to perfection, remove the sandwiches from the heat. Allow them to cool slightly before cutting them diagonally. Serve your world-class Reuben sandwiches with some pickles and chips on the side.