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 sandwiches & wraps ready in about 13 minutes pairs thick slices 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

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.

Equipment for this recipe

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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 thick slices 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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