Name: Tempeh Reuben
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 2-3 (see notes) servings
Ingredients: 8 oz Tempeh; ½ C Sauerkraut; 4 Rye Bread Slices; 4 Swiss Cheese Slices; Butter; ¼ C Mayonnaise; 1 t Dill Relish; 1 T Ketchup; 2 T Extra Virgin Olive Oil; 2 T Balsamic Vinegar; 2 T Low Sodium Tamari or Soy Sauce; 2 T Apple Cider or Rice Vinegar; 2 T Water; 1 T Vegetarian Worcestershire Sauce or Browning Sauce; 2 t Minced Garlic (about 2 cloves); 1 t Onion Powder; 1 t Dried Yellow Mustard; 1 t Ground Coriander Seed; 1 t Smoked Paprika; ½ t Liquid Smoke

Instructions

1 Slice The Tempeh Into Two Equal: Slice the tempeh into two equal pieces, then slice them like bread to make 4 equal pieces. Cut diagonally to make eight triangles. Place in a small baking dish, ensuring there is minimal empty space.
2 Whisk All The Marinade Ingredients Together: Whisk all the marinade ingredients together and add to tempeh.
3 Bake At 350 Degrees Until The: Bake at 350 degrees until the liquid is gone, turning pieces once, about 20-25 minutes.
4 Mix The Ingredients For The Dressing: Mix the ingredients for the dressing in a small bowl and set aside.
5 In A Large Non-Stick Pan, Saute: In a large non-stick pan, saute the sauerkraut over medium heat until it is dry and slightly browned. Set aside but leave the pan on the heat.
6 Butter One Side Of Each Piece: Butter one side of each piece of bread.
7 Place Two Slices In The Same: Place two slices in the same pan over medium heat.
8 Place A Slice Of Cheese On: Place a slice of cheese on each piece.
9 Top Each With Half Of The: Top each with half of the sauerkraut.
10 Top Each With Half Of The: Top each with half of the dressing.
11 Top Each With 2-3 Pieces Of: Top each with 2-3 pieces of tempeh.
12 Top Each With The Remaining Cheese: Top each with the remaining cheese and a slice of bread, butter side up.
13 Fry Until Golden On The Bottom: Fry until golden on the bottom, then carefully flip and fry until done.

Pro Tips & Delicious Variations

Feel free to add more of any ingredient to the sandwich; some people like a cheesy gooey mess and others like to keep it more simple.
The leftover tempeh can be used to make more or bigger sandwiches, to add to a salad, or just eaten while waiting for the sandwiches to cook!
If you don’t have a small baking dish, double the tempeh and marinade.
In general it’s better to fry at a lower temperature than higher so the heat can melt the cheese without scorching the bread.
If you only have smoked paprika or liquid smoke, but not both, just double the amount called for to make up for the other missing ingredient. If you have neither you may want to minimally pick up some smoked paprika. It is a great addition to many dishes where you would normally find bacon, ham and other smoked meats, like legume soups.
Add 1 t Sriracha to the dressing to add some kick.
This year-round sandwich is great with grilled spring vegetables, a summer-garden salad, a rich tomato soup on a cool autumn day and garlic-sauteed greens on a wintery day.