New York Style Deli Sandwich with Pastrami, Swiss, and Pickles

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

Classic deli sandwich stacked with peppery pastrami, melted Swiss cheese, tangy pickles, and mustard on rye bread for a satisfying bite. This American-inspired sandwich and wrap recipe, ready in about 13 minutes, pairs rye bread slices, sliced pastrami, Swiss cheese slices for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 1, 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: 5 min Cook: 8 min Serves 1 American cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Spread 1 tbsp softened butter evenly on one side of each 2 rye bread slices. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
  2. Step 2: Place one bread slice butter-side-down in the skillet and layer 6 oz sliced pastrami evenly over it. Top pastrami with 2 slices Swiss cheese.
  3. Step 3: Place the other bread slice butter-side-up on top to form a sandwich. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the bread is golden brown and cheese begins to melt.
  4. Step 4: Carefully flip the sandwich and cook another 3 minutes until the second side is golden and cheese is fully melted.
  5. Step 5: Remove sandwich from skillet and spread 1 tbsp Dijon mustard on the inside of the top slice. Add 4 dill pickle slices and 1 tsp yellow mustard if using before closing the sandwich. Slice in half and serve immediately for a classic deli experience.

Frequently asked questions

How long does New York Style Deli Sandwich with Pastrami, Swiss, and Pickles take to make?

Total time is about 13 minutes (5 min prep + 8 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 New York Style Deli Sandwich with Pastrami, Swiss, and Pickles?

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 rye bread slices from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in New York Style Deli Sandwich with Pastrami, Swiss, and Pickles?

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 New York Style Deli Sandwich with Pastrami, Swiss, and Pickles for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). 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 New York Style Deli Sandwich with Pastrami, Swiss, and Pickles?

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.

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