Satisfy your kraut cravings with this vegan reuben roundup. There’s a variety of proteins including seitan, jackfruit, and tofu. Plus, assorted cabbage options from the traditional sauerkraut, to coleslaw and kimchi. There’s even a gluten-free bowl!
If someone asked me to pick the best sandwich, a vegan reuben would be my answer, no question.
Similar to the non-vegan variety, plant-based reubens have a tempting mix of briny cabbage, creamy dressing, and a toothsome filling.
Where they differ, of course, is the “meat” of the sandwich. Vegan varieties contain seitan, tofu, jackfruit, or whatever plant your heart desires. The only limit is your imagination!
I’ve rounded up some of the best vegan reuben sandwiches for flavorful lunches and dinners that you will crave.
For more delectable sandwiches, check out my vegan sandwich roundup.
In this post:
Seitan reuben
For a classic option, you just can’t beat the Chicago Diner’s seitan reuben.
Don’t have a trip to the Windy City in your future? That’s no problem! This recipe comes straight from The New Chicago Diner Cookbook.
This renowned sandwich includes thin slices of seitan, which have been marinated in a mix of spices, pickle juice, and beet juice for mouth-puckering flavor.
It's topped with sauerkraut, vegan Thousand Island dressing, grilled peppers, and onions. Then it’s finished with a generous helping of melty non-dairy cheese on marbled rye.
Reader feedback
"The reuben from Chicago Diner is one of my boyfriend’s favorite foods, so it was so fun trying to recreate it! It tasted so delicious." - Tara
Jackfruit reuben
For a unique and crave-worthy option, try your hand at this jackfruit reuben. With two dozen 5-star reviews, you know it’s going to be good!
This popular sandwich is packed with corned jackfruit, which is light pink thanks to beets. It’s filled out with crunchy sauerkraut and tangy Thousand Island dressing on toasted marbled rye.
Reader feedback
"I could eat this every day for every meals. I wanted to cry it’s so good. Corned beef/reubens were one of my favorite foods before going vegan. Thank you for this recipe!!" - Kelsey
Jackfruit reuben bowl
For a gluten-free option, this jackfruit reuben bowl is perfect for reuben lovers. It's a lighter take on a heavy classic.
This deconstructed reuben bowl brings together all of those tantalizing flavors with jackfruit corned beef and sauerkraut on a bed of roasted potatoes.
It’s rounded out with avocado, baby spinach, and cabbage. Finally, a delicious drizzle of vegan Thousand Island dressing ties it all together.
Reader feedback
"I made this last night, and omg, it was great. I want try in sandwich form at some point, but it was fantastic as a bowl." - Katie
Rachel sandwich (vegan turkey reuben)
There’s mmm in every bite of this vegan Rachel sandwich.
While a traditional reuben includes corned beef and sauerkraut, a Rachel is typically made with turkey and coleslaw. It’s also known as a California or Georgia reuben.
This plant-based version is filled with seitan turkey or seitan chicken, coleslaw, non-dairy cheese, and Thousand Island.
Reader feedback
"Yum! My favorite part of this recipe is the easy, homemade Thousand Island dressing. It adds so much to the sandwich and is great with a lot of other meals, too!" - Shell
Bulgogi tofu and kimchi reuben
Think of this kimchi reuben as Korean reuben fusion.
It’s packed with sweet and savory tofu that’s been marinated in gochujang, tamari, agave syrup, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, and other seasonings. Then its grilled for extra smoky flavor.
The sandwich is finished with vegan kimchi, creamy avocado or vegan smoked gouda, and eggless mayo on toasted marbled rye.
It is a hearty sandwich that doesn’t shy away from flavor. (The ingredients are also terrific in a bulgogi tofu bowl.)
Reader feedback
"I made this last night – they were a hit! I actually used both the smoked Gouda and avocado. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!" - Mae
Content updated January 28, 2026. Originally published April 7, 2015.
Donna
My favorite is the Chicago diner which I’ve actually had brought to me on an airplane by my daughter who lives there. I get one every time I go that way too! Recently I had an amazing tempeh reuben at Seedz cafe in St. Louis. It’s a wrap but it’s super good!
Cadry Nelson
That was so thoughtful of your daughter! Not everyone gets a reuben delivered by plane! I’ve been wanting to visit St. Louis for a while. Now I have another reason to visit. Thanks for the tip!
Veggivet
If anyone is traveling through upstate New York and is near Albany, a stop at Berben & Wolff’s vegan deli for its amazing Reuben will be well worth it!
Cadry
Thanks for the tip! I hope I get a chance to try it someday!
Felicia
I’m on a similar quest to try every vegan Reuben I find! It all started with the Reuben at the Cornerstone Cafe in Guelph, Ontario. It’s TO DIE FOR😍
Cadry
That’s so fun that we’re on a similar quest, Felicia! If I ever make it to Guelph, I know where I need to go first.
Lori
The best vegan Reuben sandwich you will ever have in your entire life is at Gladys in Denver. It’s at the Edgewater market and they use root vegetables as the meat. Nothing will ever be able to top this sandwich. I’ve had follow your heart and locali and they could never even come close.
Cadry Nelson
Sounds delicious! I’ll have to try that the next time I’m in Denver. Thanks for the tip!
Lydia Webster
If you ever find yourself in Berkeley, CA, try the Reuben from the Butcher’s Son! I personally haven’t tried it but everything else there is so delicious, I’ll bet it’s good too!
P.S. Your love for Reubens is inspiring.
Cadry
I would love that! I’ve heard so much about Butcher’s Son. I really hope to visit one day.
P.S. That’s so sweet of you to say!
Doug Kalish
I share your love of Reubens…and I found a new Reuben that is worthy of the list. In London, Rudy’s Dirty Vegan Diner in Camden Market. It was seriously outstanding!
Cadry
Oh, my goodness! What a great tip. Thanks, Doug. I’d love to get back to London to try it.
Alina
The most epic Reuben I’ve ever had was at Rebar in Victoria, BC: they make it with tempeh, some kind of beet-based sauerkraut, and a creamy, cheesy sauce; then they grill the whole shebang. This sandwich is so big that it will feed two hungry adults, especially if ordered with a side of their rosemary potatoes!
Cadry
That sounds amazing! I hope I’m able to try that someday.
kiki
Yes! My boyfriend and I were there last summer and the reuben was insane! I still think about it!
Mike
I’m also a huge vegan reuben fan. This post pushed the craving for a reuben over the top the other night, and I had to get one from Native Foods in Chicago.
I know that you are in Iowa – if you are ever traveling through Rockford, IL, the reuben at Pig Minds Brewing, a vegan brewery, is a MUST. It’s made with soy curls, which is a bit sloppy, but the salty/sweet/sour flavors in their version are spot on with the crunchy and gooey textures you want in a reuben. It’s my all-time favorite – beating out even the venerable Chicago Diner reuben. Plus, the beer at Pig Minds is solid; it’s a total hidden gem in Rockford, where one would never expect a vegan brewery to crop up.
Cadry
Oh, man! I am SOLD! I have been wanting to make a trip to Pig Minds Brewing ever since I heard about it many months ago. I’d have to go about 45 minutes out of my way to hit it on a trip to Chicago (it’s north instead of south), but this sounds totally worth it! We have some friends who are really into brew pubs. We’ll have to wrangle them for a road trip. Thanks for the great tip, Mike!
Randi (laughfrodisiac)
Oh my goodness that Native Foods one is CRAZY!!!!! It looks like meat ahhh! I want all of these nowww.
Cadry
Yes, writing this post made me unbelievably hungry. I want to start my way at the top of the list and work my way down all over again. 🙂
Jo
The best Reuben I’ve ever had was at Strong Hearts Cafe in Syracuse, NY. Amazing!
Cadry
Oh, thanks for the heads up. I just looked it up online, and the pictures look fantastic!
Susan
Reubens are not really a common thing in Australia, I didn’t even know about them until I started amassing vegan cookbooks. I have made a couple, but am yet to have one when eating out, even on my US adventures. However, all that will change on the 7th of June this year, when I arrive in Chicago for two and a half days of eating. I shall get off my bus from Indianapolis, get myself to Chicago Diner, wedge my giant suitcase somewhere, and order this before I go to my AirBnB. Probably with a side of mac and cheese and an extra side of waffle fries. Not that I have thought about it or planned anything at all. 😉
Cadry
Ha! I love this comment so much. Clearly we plan our vacations the same way. Before we go on a trip, people always ask what I want to do while I’m there. I hesitate on whether or not to lay out all of the dishes I want to eat and restaurants I want to visit!
Kylie @ FotV
I just ate dinner but this post is making me HUNGRY!!! I can’t believe I lived a block away from Locali and never tried the Reuben! I always went for the BLT or the Bad Ass Breakfast sandwich….I guess I’ll just have to go on a vegan Reuben road trip 😉
Cadry
Well, I don’t know if it was a total loss since you did get the Bad Ass Breakfast Sandwich out of it. That thing is nuts and so good! But yes, a vegan road trip is in order. You’re going to love it! 🙂
Veganopoulous
oh wowwwwwwwwwww! I would happily choose any of those at random. Funny, I had zero interest in trying a Reuben before I was vegan but since going vegan I love them. Same with gravy! There’s a place here in Melbourne called True North who do a fab vegan Reuben 🙂
Cadry
That’s so interesting! I love it when that happens that the plant-based version appeals in a way that the meaty version never did. Similarly, David is a million times more interested in vegan cheeses than he ever was the dairy-based ones.
I hope to visit Melbourne someday. I’ll put True North on the list! (I’ll go Down Under for True North. Ironic!)
Ashley F
This is my new bible – I heart this more than I can express. Iowa City, I’m coming for ya!
Cadry
Ha! I’m honored to have created the world’s newest religious text. If you make it to Iowa, let me know. We can make it a date! 🙂
Becky Striepe
Oh man, I love a Reuben. You’re making me so hungry!
Cadry
I know the feeling! I was getting so hungry while writing this post, and you can bet that last night I had sauerkraut with dinner!
KZ
Oh these all look good! I like the one at Champs. It has a great dressing!
Cadry
Oh, I’m so bummed that I missed Champs when I was in NYC last fall! I’ve heard such great things about it. Hopefully it won’t be too terribly long until I”m back in New York again.
Joey
Sadly reubens are not a thing here – I don’t think I’ve ever seen a vegan one (or non-vegan one for that matter) on a menu anywhere. You’ve just given me inspiration to make one at home- they look great!
Cadry
Aw, too bad! In addition to the Chicago Diner recipe, the reuben recipe in Vegan Diner by Julie Hasson is terrific. I think you’d love either one!
Julz
Wow… now that is an assortment of deliciousness. I want them all! Great post!
Cadry
Thanks, Julz! They are all so good and surprisingly different for being the same type of sandwich. I’d happily eat all of them all over again!
River
You have given me reuben envy! The Native Foods and the Locali reubens are so colorful. I wonder if they use beets to get that lovely pinkiness going on?
Cadry
That would be my bet. The Chicago Diner recipe definitely uses beet juice, and so that’s what I’d assume about Native Foods and Locali too.
cookeasyvegan
There aren’t many places I can have a reuben (or even a sandwich) unless I’m willing to endure gluten-induced abdominal misery. BUT, there was a great bbq jackfruit sandwich at the Green Owl in Madison, and a great soy curl version at Homegrown Smoker. Now that I’ve read your post, I may have to make my own.
Cadry
If you ever make it to Kansas City, the jackfruit reuben at FUD can be made gluten-free. It’s great that there are lots of options for making one at home in terms of fillings with Soy Curls, portobello mushrooms, jackfruit, or even just avocado. I’ll look forward to seeing what you make!
Doug
I knew about the Chicago Diner and Native Foods, but the rest of these are new to me! Hoping to get to Portland this year, and now I know we will have to check out Homegrown Smoker. Thanks for posting this comprehensive list!
Cadry
Oh, I hope you’re able to make it to Homegrown Smoker. What they are doing is so unusual for a vegan business. I don’t know of anyone else doing something similar with a smoker, and their food is off the charts. I ate a lot of delicious things in Portland, but Homegrown Smoker was easily the most memorable.
Caitlin
If you are ever in Toronto, Ontario check out the Ruben at Hogtown Vegan. It’s incredible!
Cadry
Awesome! David ate at Hogtown Vegan while in Toronto on a business trip. He said it was fantastic. (He didn’t order the reuben. Weirdly, he’s not into them, but he has other fine attributes to make up for that transgression.) 😉 I’d love to visit Toronto someday.
Jennifer
I’ll submit for your consideration the jackfruit Reuben at Sage Against the Machine, Bellingham Washington. I dream about it and I’m not even vegan.
Cadry Nelson
That sounds right up my alley! Thanks for the tip, Jennifer!