Description
This Hot Pastrami Sandwich recipe features thinly sliced pastrami layered with tangy sauerkraut, melted Swiss cheese, and creamy Thousand Island dressing, all grilled between buttery slices of rye bread to create a warm, crispy, and flavorful deli-style sandwich perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 cup sauerkraut (drained and patted dry)
- 1 pound pastrami (thinly sliced)
- 8 slices rye bread
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
- ½ cup Thousand Island dressing (or Russian dressing)
- 8 slices Swiss cheese
Instructions
- Drain the Sauerkraut: Add the sauerkraut to a fine mesh strainer. Use a paper towel to press down on it to remove any extra liquid. If you don’t have a mesh strainer, stack 3-4 paper towels, place sauerkraut on top, then press with 2-3 more paper towels to squeeze out excess moisture. Set aside.
- Prepare the Bread: Spread softened unsalted butter on one side of each rye bread slice. Flip the bread over and spread 1 tablespoon of Thousand Island dressing on the other side.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Place a slice of Swiss cheese on top of the dressing side of each bread slice. On half of these slices, add the thinly sliced pastrami and a layer of the drained sauerkraut, then add another dollop of dressing and another slice of Swiss cheese. Top each with the remaining bread slices, cheese side down, to form sandwiches.
- Grill the Sandwiches: Heat a skillet or griddle pan over medium heat on the stovetop. Place the sandwiches in the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes until the bread is golden brown. Carefully flip the sandwiches and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the second side is golden and the Swiss cheese is melted and gooey.
- Serve: Remove the sandwiches from the heat and serve immediately while hot and melty.
Notes
- Drain the sauerkraut thoroughly to prevent soggy sandwiches.
- Use rye bread for authentic flavor; substitute with pumpernickel if desired.
- Thousand Island dressing can be replaced with Russian dressing for a slightly different flavor.
- Butter helps create a crispy crust when grilling the sandwich.
- Serve with pickles or chips for a classic deli-style meal.
