Can You Eat A Reuben While Pregnant? | Why Heat Matters

Yes, a Reuben sandwich is generally considered safe during pregnancy if the corned beef is heated to steaming hot (165°F) to kill any potential.

You’ve probably heard the warning: skip the deli counter while pregnant. Cold cuts carry a risk of Listeria, and the advice feels absolute. But a Reuben isn’t a cold sandwich—it’s grilled, with corned beef, Swiss, sauerkraut, and dressing pressed between slices of rye until hot and melty. That cooking step changes the safety picture completely.

A Reuben can absolutely fit into a pregnancy diet, as long as one step is handled carefully. The key is making sure the meat reaches steaming-hot temperature. That simple act turns a food that’s usually best avoided into a perfectly reasonable, protein-rich lunch option.

What Makes a Reuben Different From Cold Cuts

The concern with deli meat comes from Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can survive at refrigerator temperatures. Pregnant women are about 10 times more likely to develop listeriosis than the general population, per What to Expect’s overview of the risk.

A standard Reuben is a hot sandwich by design. The corned beef is typically sliced from a deli loaf, then grilled with the other ingredients. When the meat is heated to 165°F—steaming hot—the bacteria are killed, and the sandwich becomes safe.

The CDC warning about unheated deli meat does not extend to meat that’s been thoroughly reheated. So a grilled Reuben, whether from a restaurant or made at home, falls into the safe category as long as the heat is there.

Why the Listeria Warning Is So Important in Pregnancy

Listeriosis is rare, but it can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or severe illness in newborns. That’s why health organizations take a cautious stance. The good news is that the bacteria is fragile when exposed to high heat, so proper cooking eliminates the threat.

• Listeria risk: Deli meats may carry Listeria monocytogenes, which can cross the placenta and infect the baby.
• Increased vulnerability: Pregnancy hormones suppress parts of the immune system, making it harder to fight off infection.
• Heating is the fix: The American Pregnancy Association states that heating deli meats to 165°F kills the bacteria, making them safe.
• Pre-packed options: NHS Wales notes that pre-packed meats like ham and corned beef are safe to eat in pregnancy without reheating, but deli-counter slices need heat.
• Hot sandwich advantage: Because a Reuben is grilled, the meat typically reaches a safe internal temperature during cooking.

The takeaway isn’t to avoid all deli meat entirely—it’s to heat it properly. A Reuben’s grilling process is actually an advantage, not a problem.

Heating Instructions for a Pregnancy-Safe Reuben

The CDC explicitly warns against unheated deli meat for pregnant women. But the same guidance notes that heating deli meat until it’s steaming hot eliminates the risk. See the CDC deli meat warning for the full details.

For a Reuben, that means the corned beef should hit at least 165°F. If you’re making it at home, pan-fry the meat separately, microwave it for 30–45 seconds, or grill the whole sandwich until the cheese melts and the meat is piping hot throughout.

Restaurants typically grill Reubens on a flat-top or in a panini press, so they’re usually served hot. If you’re ordering from a place that slices cold meat onto the sandwich, ask them to heat it extra—most staff are happy to accommodate pregnancy requests.

With all ingredients accounted for, the only real variable is how the meat is handled. Focus on that one step and the rest of the sandwich is straightforward.

Other Ingredients in a Reuben: What to Know

Beyond the corned beef, a Reuben contains sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and dressing. Each has its own pregnancy profile, but none raise major flags.

1. Sauerkraut: Fermented cabbage is safe as long as it’s pasteurized. Most store-bought sauerkraut is pasteurized, and cooking it on the sandwich kills any lingering bacteria.
2. Swiss cheese: Hard cheeses like Swiss are considered safe during pregnancy. They have low moisture content, which makes it hard for Listeria to grow.
3. Dressing: Russian or Thousand Island dressing is usually pasteurized. Check the label if you’re concerned, but it’s generally fine.
4. Rye bread: No special considerations—bread is safe in pregnancy.

If you’re making the sandwich at home, you control every ingredient. That’s actually easier for peace of mind than relying on a restaurant. Just heat the meat, and you’re good.

What About Pre-Packed Corned Beef or Deli Counter Varieties?

Pre-packed corned beef—the kind sold in sealed packages at the grocery store—is considered safe to eat without heating, according to the NHS. See the NHS pregnancy food guide for its full list of safe and avoid foods.

However, most Reuben recipes call for deli-sliced corned beef from the counter, not the pre-packed version. Deli-sliced meat carries a higher risk because it’s handled at the counter and stored in open cases. That’s the variety that needs heating to 165°F.

If you’re unsure which type your sandwich uses, just ask. A quick question to the server or deli worker—“Is your corned beef pre-packed or sliced fresh?”—can help you decide. When in doubt, heat the whole sandwich until it’s steaming.

The bottom line on variety: pre-packed or heated deli meat both work. Cold deli-sliced meat is the only version to avoid.

The Bottom Line

A Reuben sandwich can be a safe choice during pregnancy as long as the corned beef is heated to steaming hot. The grilling process usually does this naturally, but at-home versions can be checked with a food thermometer for extra reassurance. Focus on that one step and you’re free to enjoy the sandwich.

If you’re uncertain about the temperature the meat reaches, your obstetrician or midwife can offer personalized guidance based on your health history. For most women, a hot Reuben is a fine occasional treat that satisfies the craving without unnecessary worry.