The Best Homemade Hot Pastrami Sandwich Recipe (2024)

Published: by Sharon Farnell · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

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!

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A 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!

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).

The Best Homemade Hot Pastrami Sandwich Recipe (1)

Ingredients

This easy hot pastrami 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.
  • 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.
The Best Homemade Hot Pastrami Sandwich Recipe (2)

How to make this hot pastrami sandwich recipe

  1. Butter outsides of each of the slices 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 inside of the 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 brown, 4-5 minutes a side.
  9. Slice and serve hot!
The Best Homemade Hot Pastrami Sandwich Recipe (3)
The Best Homemade Hot Pastrami Sandwich Recipe (4)
The Best Homemade Hot Pastrami Sandwich Recipe (5)
The Best Homemade Hot Pastrami Sandwich Recipe (6)
The Best Homemade Hot Pastrami Sandwich Recipe (7)

Serving the sandwiches

These tasty, melty pastrami 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!

The Best Homemade Hot Pastrami Sandwich Recipe (8)

Substitutions and Additions

This tasty hot pastrami 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 rye bread? Try pumpernickel, marble rye, or even sourdough!
  • Not a fan of Russian dressing? Try Thousand Island dressing, or replace the dressing with a thin layer of 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 classicreuben sandwich.
The Best Homemade Hot Pastrami Sandwich Recipe (9)

More delicious sandwich recipes

If you love this easy hot pastrami sandwich recipe, you'll love these delicious sandwich recipes, too!

  • Slow Cooker South Philly Italian Shredded Pork Sandwiches
  • Extra Crispy Fried Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
  • East Sloppy Joe Sliders
  • Cheesy Baked Hamburger Sliders with Everything Bagel Buttered Buns
The Best Homemade Hot Pastrami Sandwich Recipe (10)

The Best Homemade Hot Pastrami Sandwich Recipe (11)

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

The Best Homemade Hot Pastrami Sandwich Recipe

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!

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time12 minutes mins

Total Time17 minutes mins

Course: Dinner, lunch

Keyword: sandwiches

Servings: 1

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.

© Jawns I Cooked. All images & content are the sole property of Jawns I Cooked. Please ask permission prior to using my photos. If you would like to share one of my recipes, please link back to this post and re-write the instructions in your own words.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jen says

    The Best Homemade Hot Pastrami Sandwich Recipe (16)
    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!

    Reply

    • Sharon Farnell says

      So happy to hear this, Jen!

      Reply

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The Best Homemade Hot Pastrami Sandwich Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the best sauce for pastrami? ›

Good quality smooth mustard for pastrami. Brown or yellow, but it should be smooth. For sliced (roasted) beef, horseradish sauce ( or mayonnaise mixed with finely grated horseradish). If you can't stand horseradish, use plain mayonnaise.

Why do you not put mayonnaise on pastrami? ›

Part of Jewish culture is utter contempt for people who would put mayo on pastrami. It is a gentile custom that distinguishes us from non-Jews more powerfully than the business about Christ. Corned beef and pastrami are strong-tasting, salty meats. They need strong condiments, traditionally a nice brown mustard.

What goes well with pastrami in a sandwich? ›

If you're not making your own, pick up some store bought pastrami. You'll also need rye bread, swiss cheese coleslaw, Marinated Onions, pickles, and yellow mustard. On one piece of rye bread, spread some yellow mustard, add two pieces of cheese, top with coleslaw and pickles.

What is the best cut of meat to make pastrami? ›

Cuts of Meat

Pastrami is made with point brisket, which contains more marbling and fat. Pastrami can also be made with other cuts of beef, such as deckle (a lean shoulder cut) or navel (aka beef belly, which comes from the plate, a juicy section just below the ribs).

What is the main flavor of pastrami? ›

Pastrami has a deeply savory, salty, and smoky flavor, and a little mustard provides some balancing tang. This deli meat is best served warm, so be sure to steam it before you pile it onto bread.

What kind of cheese is best with pastrami? ›

Cheese: Not all pastrami sandwiches have cheese, but those that do use Swiss cheese. In a pinch, provolone cheese works well, too. Feel free to use any other white mild cheese you love for a slightly different taste. Mustard: For a slightly spicy kick, use dijon mustard for the sauce.

Why do Jews eat pastrami? ›

Romanian Jews emigrated to New York as early as 1872. Among Jewish Romanians, goose breasts were commonly made into pastrami because they were available. Beef navel was cheaper than goose meat in America, so the Romanian Jews in America adapted their recipe and began to make the cheaper-alternative beef pastrami.

How unhealthy is a pastrami sandwich? ›

One ounce of brisket in pastrami has 40 to 41 calories and 1.5g of fats. It is a source of 5 to 6g of protein. Pastrami doesn't contain a healthy amount of minerals and vitamins; it includes a lot of salt (sodium). You can get more than 248 mg of sodium in each ounce.

Is pastrami healthier than ham? ›

Beef Pastrami

This meat has more protein, but more fat and sodium, than ham.

What is the best way to heat pastrami for a sandwich? ›

STANDARD OVEN HEATING

Remove Pastrami from all packaging and wrap loosely in tin foil. Place it on a pan and put it in a preheated 350-degree oven for approximately 5 minutes. Place a cup of water inside the oven to prevent drying. Because each oven has hot spots, check it frequently.

What does Katz put on their pastrami sandwich? ›

Here at Katz's, we serve our pastrami on seedless rye bread with a healthy schmear of deli mustard. It's best eaten hot while etc... If this sounds like a lot of work…. well you're right, it is!

What kind of mustard for pastrami? ›

Mustard: A classic condiment that pairs well with pastrami. You can use Dijon, whole-grain, or yellow mustard depending on your preference.

What animal is pastrami? ›

Pastrami is made from a part of the cow called the beef plate, a tough and fatty cut which comes from the belly between the brisket and flank. To become pastrami it is slow cooked by multiple methods, usually steamed and smoked. It's brined before hand, then covered in all the spices pastrami is known for.

Is pastrami good for you? ›

Pastrami, containing high proteins and some healthy fats takes care of your bones and muscles health. Sodium and nitrate may be present in pastrami which affects your blood sugar level. You should be mindful about your portion sizes and incorporate them into your diet in moderate amounts.

What's the difference between a Reuben and a pastrami sandwich? ›

A Reuben is corned beef + Swiss cheese + Russian dressing + sauerkraut. You can ask for a "pastrami Reuben" and they'll figure it out. A pastrami sandwich would just have pastrami. Or you can ask for a Rachel, which is pastrami + Swiss cheese + cole slaw + Russian dressing.

How is pastrami traditionally served? ›

Pastrami on rye is a sandwich comprising sliced pastrami on rye bread, often served with mustard and Kosher dill pickles. It was popularized in the Jewish delicatessens of New York City and has been described as New York's "signature sandwich".

What condiment is common with NY pastrami? ›

In New York City, where pastrami on rye got its start 100 or so years ago, the vast majority are layered with spicy brown mustard.

Which sauce is best for sandwich? ›

Classics like mustard, and mayo, are popular for adding flavour and moisture. The more adventurous option is hot sauce which can take your sandwich up a notch.

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