📖 Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the dip will be heated evenly.
2. In a large bowl, combine 8 ounces of softened cream cheese with ½ cup of sour cream or mayonnaise. Make sure the cream cheese is truly soft; otherwise, you'll end up with lumps that no one wants.
3. Add 1 cup of shredded Swiss cheese to the cream cheese mixture. Reserve about ¼ cup for topping later. Nobody likes a dip without enough cheese. Also, make sure to shred your cheese, pre-shredded cheese does not melt as well.
4. Stir in 1 cup of chopped corned beef. I prefer to use deli-sliced corned beef and chop it myself. It seems to have better flavor and texture than the pre-packaged stuff. Also, make sure to remove the bone first, I almost didn't last time!
5. Add ½ cup of well-drained sauerkraut. Seriously, drain it well! Excess moisture will make your dip watery, and nobody wants that. I like to squeeze it in a paper towel to get rid of as much liquid as possible.
6. Pour in ¼ cup of Thousand Island dressing. You can use store-bought or homemade, but I find the store-bought stuff works just fine. Some people like to add a dash of Worcestershire sauce at this point. Also, if you can't find Thousand Island, Russian dressing works, too.
7. Mix all ingredients thoroughly until well combined. Make sure everything is evenly distributed for consistent flavor.
8. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish. An 8x8 inch dish works well, but anything similar will do.
9. Sprinkle the remaining Swiss cheese (about ¼ cup) over the top of the dip. This will create a nice, melty, golden-brown crust.
10. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the dip is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Watch it closely to prevent burning. Ovens can be so inconsistent!
11. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. This prevents your guests from burning their mouths. Been there, done that!
12. Serve warm with rye bread, crackers, or bagel chips. I like to provide a variety of options so everyone can find something they enjoy. Pretzel crisps are good too!