Traditional New York Deli-Style Pastrami Sandwich with Swiss and Pickles

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

A classic deli sandwich featuring peppery pastrami, melted Swiss cheese, and tangy pickles layered on rye bread. This american-inspired sandwiches & wraps ready in about 20 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 580 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: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 American cuisine 580 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat a skillet over medium heat. Butter one side of 8 slices of rye bread evenly with 2 tbsp softened butter.
  2. Step 2: Place 4 slices of bread butter-side-down on the skillet. Layer each with 3 oz sliced pastrami, 1 slice Swiss cheese, and 1 tbsp yellow mustard.
  3. Step 3: Top each sandwich with 2-3 dill pickle slices and then place the remaining bread slices butter-side-up on top.
  4. Step 4: Cook sandwiches for 3-4 minutes on each side, pressing gently with a spatula, until bread is golden brown and cheese has melted.
  5. Step 5: Remove from skillet, let rest for 1 minute, then slice each sandwich in half and serve immediately.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 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 Traditional New York Deli-Style Pastrami Sandwich with 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 Traditional New York Deli-Style Pastrami Sandwich with 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 Traditional New York Deli-Style Pastrami Sandwich with Swiss and Pickles 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 Traditional New York Deli-Style Pastrami Sandwich with 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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