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Keto Reuben Dip (Low-Carb Hot Party Appetizer)

This Keto Reuben Dip is what I make with leftover corned beef when I want it to turn into something people actually fight over at a party. Corned beef, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese bake into one hot, cheesy dip that tastes exactly like the sandwich it’s named after.

A hot Reuben dip served in a cast-iron skillet, topped with chopped pickles and fresh parsley for garnish.

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I make this one for game days and St. Patrick’s Day, since it comes together fast and bakes while I handle everything else on the table. It’s easy to prep ahead and pop in the oven right when guests show up, which matters when you’ve got a dozen other things going at once.

Squeeze the sauerkraut dry before it goes in. Skip that step and the dip turns watery instead of scoopable.

Chef Jenn’s Take on Keto Reuben Dip

A lot of hot dips turn out grainy or oily once they hit the oven, usually because of what’s happening with the cheese, not the rest of the ingredients. Pre-shredded cheese is coated with anti-caking agents that keep it from clumping in the bag, and those same additives keep it from melting smoothly once it’s baked.

Shredding the Swiss cheese fresh instead of using the pre-shredded bag is what actually fixes that. It melts smooth instead of grainy, and the texture difference is noticeable once the dip comes out of the oven.

The other move that matters here is squeezing the sauerkraut dry before folding it in. Skip that step and the extra liquid works its way into the dip as it bakes, leaving you with something soupy instead of scoopable. For more hot appetizer dips like this one, check out my Appetizers collection.

A hand holds a chip with Hot Reuben Dip from a skillet of the dip and cracker.

What You’ll Love About Keto Reuben Dip

  • It tastes exactly like a Reuben sandwich in dip form, which makes it an easy sell even to people who’d normally pass on sauerkraut.
  • It’s a genuinely good way to use up leftover corned beef instead of letting it go to waste in the fridge.
  • It preps ahead easily, so it’s one less thing to think about the day you’re actually hosting.

Ingredients

Ingredients for a Reuben dip arranged on a marble surface include sauerkraut, pickles, green onions, cream cheese, corned beef, Thousand Island dressing, and Swiss cheese.
  • Cream cheese – Full fat, softened at room temperature for easier mixing.
  • Thousand Island dressing – You can use any brand.
  • Sauerkraut – Drained and squeezed dry. Extra liquid left in makes the finished dip watery.
  • Corned beef – Leftover, chopped small, or deli corned beef chopped up works too.
  • Swiss cheese – Shred it yourself. Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that can make the dip grainy once melted.
  • Green onions – White and green parts, sliced.
  • Pickles – Dill, not sweet. Chopped small.
  • Low-carb crackers or vegetables – For serving.

How To Make Hot Reuben Dip

Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions.

Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a small baking dish or oven-safe skillet. Stir together the softened cream cheese and Thousand Island dressing until smooth.

Bowl of mixed ingredients with a red spatula on a marble surface.

Fold in the sauerkraut, chopped corned beef, shredded Swiss cheese, and green onions until well combined. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared dish.

Top view of a creamy dish with diced ham and shredded cheese in a round black pan on a marble surface.

Bake until bubbly and lightly golden on top. Check at the 15-minute mark and continue as needed. Sprinkle with chopped pickles and serve warm with your favorite low-carb dippers.

Make It A Meal

I put this out alongside Crab Rangoon Dip when I’m setting up a full party spread of hot dips. For more dip variety on the table, Keto Dill Pickle Dip gives you a cold, tangy option to balance this one’s richness. If you want a lighter dip in the mix too, Green Goddess Dressing works well as a dip for raw vegetables alongside the heavier options.

Hot Reuben Dip with chopped dill pickles and herbs in a square skillet served on a slate board with sliced brown bread.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or microwave in short intervals, stirring in between. This doesn’t freeze well due to the dairy content.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I make this dip ahead of time?

Yes, assemble it up to a day ahead, cover, and refrigerate. Bake it right before serving so it comes out hot and bubbly.

Why did my dip turn out watery?

This usually comes from sauerkraut that wasn’t squeezed dry enough before mixing. Press out as much liquid as possible before folding it into the cream cheese base.

Can I use pre-shredded Swiss cheese instead of shredding it myself?

You can, but freshly shredded cheese melts smoother. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can leave the baked dip slightly grainy.

What can I use instead of Thousand Island dressing?

A mix of mayonnaise, a little ketchup, and a small amount of chopped pickle can stand in if you don’t have Thousand Island on hand, though the flavor will be slightly different.

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Low-Carb Reuben Dip

This Low-Carb Reuben Dip is a warm, cheesy appetizer packed with the bold flavors of a classic Reuben sandwich. Made with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and creamy dressing, this dip is perfect for parties, game days, or St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword hot corned beef dip, keto party appetizer, keto reuben dip, low-carb reuben dip, St. Patrick’s Day appetizer
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 344kcal
Author Chef Jenn

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup Thousand Island dressing
  • 1 cup sauerkraut drained and squeezed dry
  • 1 ½ cups cooked corned beef chopped, or deli corned beef, finely chopped
  • 1 ½ cups Swiss cheese shredded
  • ¼ cup green onions chopped; optional, for garnish
  • ¼ cup pickles chopped small
  • Dippers use your favorite dippers

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a small baking dish or oven-safe skillet.
  • Stir together the softened cream cheese and Thousand Island dressing until smooth.
  • Fold in the sauerkraut, chopped corned beef, shredded Swiss cheese, and green onions until well combined.
  • Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
  • Place in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly golden on top.
  • Sprinkle with diced pickles and serve warm with your favorite dippers.

Notes

Recipe Card Tips

  • Shred the Swiss cheese yourself instead of buying it pre-shredded. It melts more smoothly and avoids the graininess that pre-shredded cheese can leave behind.
  • Squeeze the sauerkraut dry before mixing it in. Skipping this step is the most common reason this kind of dip turns watery.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25cup | Calories: 344kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 839mg | Potassium: 192mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 657IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 225mg | Iron: 1mg | Net Carbohydrates: 7g

A Note on Nutritional Information

Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed. Erythritol carbs (sugar substitutes) are not included in the carbohydrate counts as they have been shown not to impact blood sugar, and they have zero calories and zero carbs. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.

Jenn

Hi, I’m Jenn!

I’m a cookbook author (Keto Soup Cookbook and Keto Diabetic Cookbook and Meal Plan) as well as a retired chef, recipe developer, and writer of this blog (that’s a lot of hats!). I embarked on a journey to create foodie-worthy Keto-friendly meals that any home cook can be proud of! No matter if you’re low-carb, no-carb, dirty, or strict Keto, there are recipes in Keto Cooking Wins for you and your family. Read more...

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