House-Made Turkey Pastrami Sandwich with Pickled Slaw

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender house-cured turkey pastrami piled high on rye bread with tangy pickled slaw for a deli-style sandwich made fresh at home. This american-inspired sandwiches & wraps ready in about 300 minutes pairs skinless, boneless turkey breast, kosher salt, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 180 min Cook: 120 min Serves 4 American cuisine 480 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, mix 1/4 cup kosher salt, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp crushed black peppercorns, 1 tbsp crushed coriander seeds, 1 tbsp paprika, and 1 tsp garlic powder. Rub this curing mix evenly over 2 lbs turkey breast.
  2. Step 2: Place the turkey in a sealed container and refrigerate for 48 hours to cure.
  3. Step 3: After curing, rinse turkey under cold water and pat dry. Steam or smoke the turkey at 225°F for 2 hours until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let cool and slice thin.
  4. Step 4: For the pickled slaw, combine 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1/4 cup water in a bowl until sugar dissolves. Toss with 2 cups shredded cabbage and 1 grated medium carrot. Let sit for 30 minutes.
  5. Step 5: Mix 1/4 cup mayonnaise and 2 tbsp Dijon mustard in a small bowl.
  6. Step 6: To assemble sandwiches, spread the mayo-mustard sauce on 8 slices rye bread, layer with sliced turkey pastrami and pickled slaw. Close sandwiches and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does House-Made Turkey Pastrami Sandwich with Pickled Slaw take to make?

Total time is about 300 minutes (180 min prep + 120 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover House-Made Turkey Pastrami Sandwich with Pickled Slaw?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep kosher salt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in House-Made Turkey Pastrami Sandwich with Pickled Slaw?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale House-Made Turkey Pastrami Sandwich with Pickled Slaw for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with House-Made Turkey Pastrami Sandwich with Pickled Slaw?

American sandwiches & wraps like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes