This quick and easy Homemade Hot Pastrami Sandwich Recipe utilizes store bought ingredients and an (optional) homemade broccoli slaw for a super tasty classic deli sandwich you can whip up in under 20 minutes!
JUMP TO RECIPEA quick, easy and delicious Hot Pastrami Sandwich Recipe
Want a classic New York Deli style sandwich at home? Look no further than this easy Homemade Hot Pastrami Sandwich Recipe! Made with deli counter pastrami and Swiss cheese, with plenty of coleslaw, pickles and Russian dressing, this buttery, crisp and delicious sandwich is sure to curb your cravings, without the trip to New York City!
This is seriously the best hot pastrami sandwich, with plenty of melted cheese, pickle slices, and tender pastrami. The best part? You can grab all the ingredients at your local grocery store, making this easy recipe even easier, and just as good as your favorite Jewish delicatessen!
This classic pastrami sandwich would be a great way to celebrate st. Patrick’s day, or even national hot pastrami sandwich day (yes, that's a real thing).
Ingredients
This easy sandwich recipe comes together quickly and easily with mostly store bought ingredients, for a tasty, crispy sandwich that satisfies! Add homemade broccoli slaw for an extra crisp finish (recipe included in recipe card below!)
- Rye bread. I love a good bakery style Jewish Rye for this recipe, but you can use any Rye bread you like, the sturdier the better. Marble Rye bread is also a great option. Hearty slices of rye bread make this sandwich extra tasty!
- Softened butter. You'll use butter to crisp up the deli Pastrami, as well as for generously buttering the outside of each slice of bread, to ensure a crisp, golden exterior.
- Russian dressing, for spreading on the inside of each slice of Rye bread. My go-to is Ken's.
- Deli sliced Swiss cheese.
- Sliced deli Pastrami. You can also use your own pastrami or homemade pastrami! If you live close to Jewish delicatessens, they are a great place to grab some excellent pastrami if you are in search of perfect pastrami! You'll want to find a high quality pastrami for this recipe, such as Boar's Head, since the pastrami is the star of the show. If you want to splurge, Kat'z Deli in NYC is famous for delicious authentic Pastrami you can order online! You want to find a well-crafted and flavored Pastrami which is well brined and smoked. Have the meat sliced the way you like it. I'm a thin-cut girl, but you can do thick slices as well!
- Thinly sliced dill pickles, to taste.
- Coleslaw. I love to use homemade broccoli slaw for these sandwiches (full recipe in recipe card below), but you can use any of your favorite coleslaws for this recipe.
How to make a pastrami sandwich
- Butter outsides of each of the slices of bread with softened butter, coating the whole outside of the sandwich. Taking the time to get the bread well coated edge-to-edge will give you a perfect, crisp, buttery exterior.
- Add butter to a large frying pan, and melt over medium-high heat, then add the sliced pastrami in a single layer to get it a bit browned, and add extra flavor!
- While pastrami warms and browns, spread Russian dressing evenly on the inside of one slice of the bread, so it's ready to go when the meat is browned.
- Add warmed and browned pastrami to one side of bread on Russian dressing side, and reduce pan heat to medium-low to get it ready to cook the sandwich. We're going for low and slow to ensure the sandwich is well crisped, and not burned.
- Top pastrami with prepared coleslaw, sliced pickles, and Swiss cheese slices.
- Top with other sliced of bread, with the buttered side facing out.
- Transfer sandwich to the pan and cook over medium-low heat, flipping once until both sides of the bread are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is fully melted.
- Slice the sandwich, serve hot and enjoy!
Substitutions and Additions
This tasty sandwich recipe is easily customized to your tastes, and what you have on hand. Here are some great substitutions and additions you can make to make this sandwich your own!
- No Jewish rye bread? Try pumpernickel, marble rye, or even sourdough! his sandwich can also be made using gluten-free bread!
- Not a fan of Russian dressing? Try Thousand Island dressing, or replace the dressing with a thin layer of yellow mustard, spicy brown mustard or stone ground mustard.
- Try provolone cheese in place of Swiss cheese, or even some pepper jack cheese for a little kick.
- If you can't find pastrami meat at your local deli, you could substitute some deli sliced corned beef.
- Add some tomato slices for a touch of freshness.
- Swap the coleslaw for some tart sauerkraut. This would be like a pastrami twist on a classic reuben sandwich. You could also add some thinly sliced red onions.
- Use Turkey pastrami instead!
- Try applying a thin layer of mayonnaise to your bread slices instead of butter. Just apply a layer of mayo to one side of each slice of bread prior to browning in the pan.
- Use a hoagie roll and a panini press to make the sandwich!
Pastrami Sandwich Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 slices Rye bread
- 2 tablespoon salted butter, softened (plus more for bread)
- 2 tablespoon Russian dressing
- 2 thick slices deli Swiss cheese
- 6 slices deli pastami
- thinly sliced dill pickles, to taste
- ¼ cup coleslaw or broccoli slaw (recipe below)
Instructions
- **If making broccoli slaw (recipe below), make at least 1 hour ahead, and up to 2 days in advance of preparing the sandwich. 1. Butter outsides of each slice of bread with softened butter, coating the whole outside of the sandwich for even browning. 2. Add 2 tablespoon butter to a large frying pan, and melt over medium-high heat. 3. Add pastrami in a single layer, and cook 1 minute a side, until slightly browned. 4. While pastrami warms and browns, spread Russian dressing on the insides of both pieces of bread. 5. Add warmed pastrami to one side of bread on Russian dressing side, and reduce pan heat to medium-low. 6. Top pastrami with coleslaw, pickles, and Swiss cheese. 7. Top with bread, butter side facing out. 8. Transfer sandwich to the pan and cook over medium-low until both sides of the bread are golden, 4-5 minutes a side. 9. Slice and serve hot! Broccoli slaw: • ½ lb broccoli slaw mix • ¼ cup mayonaise • ½ tablespoon milk (use what you drink) • ½ tablespoon sugar • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (preferably organic) • ¼ teaspoon celery seeds • ¼ teaspoon poppy seeds • cracked pepper and sea salt, to taste • A dash of cayenne pepper (optional) 1. Add all ingredients to a bowl, and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour prior to serving.
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Serving the sandwiches
These tasty, melty sandwiches go great with just about any classic sandwich accompaniment, from potato chips, to classic potato salad, pasta salad, or crispy french fries. If you're making the homemade broccoli slaw (recipe below), it makes a great side dish as well!
This is a big sandwich, so it also makes a great sandwich to split with a friend for lunch!
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Jen says
I was in the mood for a hot pastrami sandwich and searched for a recipe that used coleslaw and was similar to what I wanted and I found yours. Your photo caught my eye. I had to swap for a few ingredients, which I try not to do the first time and is a no-no for some, however, my sandwich was absolutely delicious! I ended up using sourdough bread, deli coleslaw, Muenster cheese, and thousand islands dressing because that’s what I had. I absolutely will make this again and will try it with pumpernickel rye and Swiss. Thanks for posting this recipe!
Sharon Farnell says
So happy to hear this, Jen!