Reuben Balls Spicy Island (Printable)

Savory corned beef and Swiss cheese balls paired with a spicy, tangy Thousand Island sauce.

# What You'll Need:

→ Reuben Balls

01 -
02 -
03 -
04 -
05 -
06 -
07 -
08 -
09 -
10 -

→ Spicy Thousand Island Sauce

11 -
12 -
13 -
14 -
15 -
16 -
17 -
18 -

# How to Make It:

01 - Combine chopped corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, cream cheese, Dijon mustard, and black pepper in a large bowl. Mix until evenly blended.
02 - Roll mixture into 1-inch balls and place on a parchment-lined tray. Freeze for 20 minutes to firm up for easier handling.
03 - Arrange three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs.
04 - Dredge each ball in flour, dip in egg wash, then coat thoroughly with panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
05 - Pour 2 inches of vegetable oil into a deep skillet or saucepan and heat to 350°F.
06 - Fry balls in batches, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy, about 2–3 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels.
07 - Whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, pickle relish, horseradish, hot sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
08 - Serve Reuben balls warm with spicy Thousand Island sauce for dipping.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The contrast between the crunchy exterior and that melty, tangy center hits every craving at once
  • They disappear faster than you can fry them, so you might want to double the batch
02 -
  • The chilling step is non-negotiable, I tried skipping it once and ended up with a messy, falling-apart situation
  • Your oil will drop in temperature when you add the balls, so adjust the heat between batches to maintain 350°F
03 -
  • Work with one hand for dry ingredients and one for wet to keep your fingers from getting completely coated in breading
  • Pastrami makes an excellent substitution for corned beef if you want something slightly smokier