What goes better with a pastrami sandwich?

Pastrami can be used in many ways. However, the most popular way to use pastrami slices is to make delicious sandwiches.

But what goes best in a pastrami sandwich?

There are many foods that pair well with pastrami, either as garnishes or as sandwich toppings, such as coleslaw, sauerkraut, and pickles. Condiments include mustard, Russian or Thousand Island dressing, horseradish sauce, and even mayonnaise. Cheeses like Swiss are also a good option.

This article is about pastrami sandwiches and what makes them better. Here you will find everything from condiments to garnishes and drinks.

What is pastrami?

The beef undergoes extensive smoking and weeks of preparation before it is turned into pastrami. The meat is brined for days or weeks, seasoned with all kinds of spices and herbs, and smoked.

Sometimes pastrami is also steamed, making this flavorful deli meat even tastier. So what pairs well with pastrami, and how does its unique flavor combine with other ingredients in a sandwich?

Pastrami has a very characteristic flavor. It can vary depending on the spices used to coat the meat. Pastrami is generally spicy, as black pepper is used in large amounts in the spice rub.

Because pastrami is smoked for hours before eating, many people describe pastrami as tasting like roast beef but with added smoke. However, a good pastrami should not be overly smoky.

Another key note in the pastrami is provided by the coriander used in the spice dressing. It gives slices of smoked meat a deeper flavor thanks to its refreshing citrus notes.

Other spices and herbs, such as mustard seeds and garlic powder, are also used in the pastrami spice rub. All of these additional spices add different layers of flavor to the pastrami, making it richer and deeper.

Because there are so many flavors in a single slice of pastrami, it can seem difficult to combine it with other ingredients in a sandwich.

With so much effort and time spent on homemade pastrami and so much money spent on high-quality store-bought brands, you sure want your delicious pastrami to be the star of any sandwich.

The key to choosing pastrami sandwich sides or sandwich toppings is to try to balance the sweet and sour flavors as well as add something crunchy and tangy to make it complete.

Pairings for Traditional Pastrami Sandwiches

Pastrami on rye bread is the quintessential classic pastrami sandwich. It consists of a few simple ingredients that only accentuate the flavor of pastrami.

This traditional sandwich consists of two pieces of rye bread, pastrami slices and spicy mustard.

Many variations of pastrami sandwiches have been based on this simple yet delicious sandwich.

Garnishes for pastrami sandwiches

You can make an easy and simple pastrami sandwich and serve it with side dishes that complement it well. You can also use some of these options on the sandwich itself to get it all in one bite.

• Gherkins - With their salty yet sour flavor, gherkins are one of the best garnishes served with pastrami. They can also be crunchy and refreshing when eaten alongside a juicy pastrami sandwich.
• Coleslaw - Another popular side dish for pastrami sandwiches. This spicy salad made from shredded cabbage will add just the right amount of crunch and lightness to your sandwich. If there are seasonings on your sandwich, we recommend against using a mayonnaise dressing on the coleslaw to keep it light and fresh.
• Sauerkraut - Sauerkraut, finely shredded lacto-fermented cabbage, is widely used in pastrami sandwiches. It can also be served as a garnish. Sauerkraut is different from regular pickled cabbage. It’s not that salty and it doesn’t taste crunchy. This fermented cabbage has a much softer texture and a slightly acidic flavor that balances the meat very well.
• Potatoes - Who doesn’t like to accompany a sandwich with potatoes? You can accompany the pastrami sandwiches with potatoes made in different ways. French fries or grilled or French fries are a great option. If you don’t want something fried and prefer potatoes made in a healthier way, an easy potato salad will also work well.
• Cream Soups - For those with a bigger appetite, pastrami sandwiches can be paired with soups. Cream soups go well with pastrami sandwiches. You can prepare them with the vegetables you prefer. You can make a cream of potato soup as another variation on a potato side, or use other vegetables, such as broccoli or mushrooms.
• A green salad - You can never go wrong with a green salad. It’s light and fresh and will go down well if you find pastrami sandwiches quite filling. Green salads are especially good with pastrami Reuben sandwiches, since they are made up of more ingredients and certainly require a lighter garnish.

What cheese goes with pastrami?

If you’re making a grilled pastrami sandwich, be sure to choose a variety of cheese that will melt easily once you’ve assembled the sandwich and heated it up using a sandwich press or simply putting it on a hot skillet for a couple of minutes.

Here are some cheese options you can use on grilled pastrami sandwiches: 

• Swiss cheese
• cheddar
• jarlsberg
• Havarti
• Provolone

What seasonings are good for a pastrami sandwich?

There are some popular seasonings that go well with pastrami sandwiches. Without these seasonings, your sandwich will most likely be dry and missing some added flavors that will only make the smoked meat slices stand out.

• Mustard - Mustard is a “must” in pastrami sandwiches. Even if you’re making a simple sandwich on rye bread, a little spicy brown mustard will give it just the right kick. If you don’t like hot mustard, you can choose other varieties of this condiment, such as stone ground, as their flavors range from sweet to spicy depending on the variety.
• Russian Dressing - Russian dressing is heavily used in a popular variant of the pastrami sandwich called the Reuben. This seasoning has a spicy flavor and is made with mayonnaise, ketchup or chili sauce, horseradish, chives, bell peppers and many other spices.
• Horseradish Sauce – Horseradish can have a tangy flavor on its own. But the harshness of its flavor is tempered in horseradish sauce, which is a popular condiment for pastrami sandwiches. Horseradish mixed with a little sour cream, mayonnaise, and a few other ingredients is perfect for these sandwiches.
• Thousand Island Dressing – Another mayonnaise-based dressing that goes well with pastrami sandwiches. Thousand Island dressing is often compared to Russian dressing. The difference between these two seasonings is that Thousand Island dressing is made with gherkins. This gives the sauce sweet notes of flavor and some texture.

Can you put mayonnaise on pastrami?

Mayonnaise is one of the most commonly used seasonings in pastrami sandwiches. It can be spread on slices of bread for an extra layer of flavor, as well as to hold sandwich fillings together.

When you put mayonnaise on your pastrami sandwich, be aware that it can make the bread soggy. To avoid this problem, you can lightly toast the bread before coating it with mayonnaise.

When putting mayonnaise on pastrami, make sure it’s not a store-bought seasoning that will deteriorate the quality of the sandwich and give it a “cheap” taste. Buy a good quality mayonnaise or make your own.

Homemade mayonnaise is easy to make, tastes better and is fresher, and is free of unwanted ingredients.

What toppings does a pastrami sandwich have?

If you won’t be serving coleslaw, pickles, or sauerkraut as a side to your pastrami sandwich, you can easily use them as toppings for your sandwich.

Other toppings you can add to your pastrami sandwich are tomato slices, shredded lettuce, and caramelized onion. 

Related questions

Now that we’ve covered the best pairings for pastrami sandwiches, we’ve also rounded up some additional questions below that you might be wondering about.

What drinks go well with pastrami sandwiches?

Pastrami sandwiches incorporate some bold flavors and definitely call for a drink to complement them.

Paired with the right drink, you can turn a well-balanced pastrami sandwich into a healthy dinner.

Beer and wine pair perfectly with pastrami sandwiches. When choosing a wine to pair well with the smoked meat sandwich, opt for medium-bodied red wines with fruity notes.

Can you eat cold pastrami?

Pastrami is a charcuterie meat that can be eaten both hot and cold.

Since pastrami can be eaten cold, it is a perfect meat to always have at home. You can make a good sandwich in the blink of an eye. You can even freeze it to use later.

If you still prefer to eat your pastrami hot, there are a few ways to reheat it.

The easiest way to have a hot pastrami sandwich is to put it all together and reheat it in the oven, skillet, or sandwich press. This method is great when there is cheese on the sandwich to melt.

If you want to reheat the slices separately, you can steam the pastrami. Baking the pastrami covered with foil is also an option.