This Vegan Teriyaki Reuben has a sweet teriyaki sauce, spicy raw sauerkraut, and a spicy thousand island dressing.
There are some recipes that I get more excited over than others. I think this recipe is one of my BEST recipes yet. Yes, I am pretty excited about this one!
This Vegan Teriyaki Reuben with Spicy Thousand Island Dressing was inspired by a sandwich that I ate about twenty years ago before I was vegan. I worked at a bar and grill that served Cajun food.
One of the items on the menu was a turkey Reuben. It had a sweet teriyaki sauce served with a spicy Thousand Island dressing.
Even back then my favorite combination was sweet and spicy, although I don't think I would have labeled it as such since I wasn't the foodie that I am today.
Obviously, the sandwich made an impression on me since I remember it from twenty years ago. I knew I had to veganize it and post it here to share with you all.
The original came with your average sauerkraut as I remember. I decided to elevate it a step further and include raw spicy sauerkraut (not kimchi, but spicy sauerkraut).
It not only adds more spice, but it adds health benefits as well. Raw sauerkraut retains beneficial organisms, unlike pasteurized.
If you don't like spicy food as much as I do, you could use my Vegan Thousand Island recipe, which is not as spicy as the one below. Although, I swear if you try this combination using the spicy Thousand Island, it is well worth it.
The sweet teriyaki sauce compliments the spicy flavors and mellows them out a bit. Another teriyaki recipe is my Crispy Teriyaki Tofu recipe.
Jump to:
❤️ Why You'll Love It
- It is sweet and spicy with a balance of flavors.
- It is simple and easy to make.
- It is a hearty fusion sandwich that can be made for lunch or dinner.
🧾 Ingredients
Spicy Thousand Island Dressing
- Vegan mayonnaise: I like Vegenaise by Follow Your Heart because it is thick, rich, and creamy. Use your favorite vegan mayo.
- Ketchup: Adds sweetness.
- Pickled jalapeños: Add spice. You could leave them out.
- Hot sauce: Adds more spice.
- Sweet pickle relish: Adds sweetness. You could also use chopped sweet pickles.
Teriyaki Reubens
- Tamari: I used low-sodium gluten-free tamari because I like to control the amount of sodium.
- Mirin: Adds a sweet tangy flavor. You could use rice vinegar and more sugar as a substitute.
- Sugar: Adds sweetness. You could also use brown sugar or maple syrup.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce.
- Water
- Vegan chicken strips: I used a brand that no longer sells the vegan chicken strips that I used. Use your favorite vegan chicken strips. You can also use firm or extra-firm tofu. If you use tofu, you'll need to cook it longer than I included in the recipe because the vegan chicken strips that I originally used were precooked.
- Bread: I used gluten-free black rice bread. Use your favorite.
- Spicy raw sauerkraut: I love this recipe with spicy raw sauerkraut. It goes really well with the sweet flavors of the teriyaki sauce. It doesn't taste anything like the pasteurized sauerkraut that you find on the shelves. This one you'll find in the refrigerated section. You could also use raw sauerkraut that isn't spicy.
To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
📖 Variations / Additions
- Vegan Thousand Island Dressing
- Kimchi
- Sweet pickles
- Pickled onions or peppers
- Coleslaw
- Tempeh
- Tofu
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🔪 Instructions
Step 1: Make the spicy Thousand Island dressing by mixing all the ingredients together.
Step 2: Combine tamari, mirin, and sugar in a medium saucepan. Cook until sugar dissolves.
Step 3: Combine cornstarch and water. Whisk until blended.
Step 4: Add the cornstarch mixture to the pan. Simmer until it thickens.
Step 5: Add vegan chicken strips to the pan. Cook until the sauce cooks down.
Step 6: Toast two slices of bread.
Step 7: Top the vegan chicken strips, then the spicy raw sauerkraut.
Step 8: Top with the other slice of toast.
Step 9: Serve with the spicy Thousand Island dressing for dipping (or slather it on one of the slices of toast).
👩🏻🍳 Recipe FAQs
This gluten-free teriyaki sauce is made with tamari, sugar, mirin, cornstarch, and water.
Cornstarch thickens this teriyaki sauce. Sugar adds sweetness.
Other Vegan Sandwiches
If you tried this Vegan Teriyaki Reuben Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and let me know how you like it in the 💬 comments below. I love hearing from you!
📋 Recipe
Vegan Teriyaki Reuben
Ingredients
Spicy Thousand Island Dressing
- ½ cup vegan mayo
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- ¼ cup pickled jalapeños
- 2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
Teriyaki Reubens
- ¼ cup low sodium gluten free tamari
- ¼ cup mirin
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons corn starch
- 4 teaspoons water
- 12 ounces vegan chicken strips - cut into thinner strips than how they come packaged
- 10 - 12 slices toasted gluten free bread - I used black rice
- ¾ cup spicy raw sauerkraut
Instructions
Spicy Thousand Island Dressing
- Whisk all ingredients until blended.
Teriyaki Reubens
- Combine tamari, mirin, and sugar in a saucepan on medium high heat. Cook until sugar dissolves. In a bowl combine corn starch and water. Stir until blended. Add corn starch mixture to the pan. Simmer until sauce thickens.
- Add sliced Beyond Chicken strips to the sauce and cook for a minute or two longer, until teriyaki sauce cooks down.
- On a slice of toasted bread, top Beyond Chicken strips with teriyaki sauce, then spicy raw sauerkraut. Top with another slice of bread. Serve with a side of spicy thousand island dressing (or spread on top layer of bread). Repeat with the rest of sandwiches.
Notes
Nutrition
*Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.
Cat Stephens says
This recipe brought me back to an Asian fast food restaurant in Southern California, which has sadly closed. They served “froggy sauce” that came in two containers. One was a homemade teriyaki sauce and one a thousand island. This recipe was so good. I did make it and it was amazing. My tip, use the leftover sauces for dips. It works well with French fries. Dip first into the teriyaki and then into the thousand island. YUM!
Willow Moon says
Thanks Cat, I’m so glad you liked it! It’s actually one of my favorite recipes on the blog!
Denise says
This was SO good! Thanks for the recipe!
Willow Moon says
Thanks Denise!
xoxobellablog says
This looks fantastic!! I love any kind of sandwich!
Willow Moon says
Thanks! Me too! For some reason I have been on a sandwich kick recently (so I have a bunch of sandwich recipes I'll be posting)!
Mar says
This looks so yummy! I bet I could trick my meat loving boyfriend into eating this!
Willow Moon says
Let me know if it works! I served this to a meat eater and he loved it!
Amanda | Maple Alps says
This looks really good! I will be trying this!
Willow Moon says
Thanks Amanda, I hope you enjoy it!
Logan Can says
This looks so delicious and is making me want a sandwich! haha I love Reubens!
Willow Moon says
Thanks Logan!
Candy says
I am slowly using more vegan recipies thanks to you.
QueenThrifty says
Hey this looks amazing I am going to try the recipe tonight!
Willow Moon says
Thanks! I hope you like it as much as I do!