What to Put on a Pastrami Sandwich: 21 Delicious Toppings

Pastrami is one of the most addictive and delicious add-ons that you can use in different types of sandwiches.

Not only that, but a pastrami sandwich is among the quickest and easiest snacks that you can fix if you’re looking for something fulfilling and delicious.

This leaves us wondering: “what goes on a pastrami sandwich?”

Today, we’ll take a quick look at 21 scrumptious topping ideas that you can try out right now!

Here Is My List of the Best Pastrami Sandwich Toppings

Since versatility is one of the pastrami’s strongest suits, you should be equally flexible while trying out new add-ons on such a glorious sandwich.

The following list will show you a variety of pastrami sandwich topping ideas that are great for both hot and cold pastrami:

1. Top up with Sauerkraut

The classic Reuben is one of the most popular sandwiches that is often enjoyed on St. Patrick’s Day, but you can also enjoy it on other days of the year!

To make this sandwich, you need a few primary ingredients, including pastrami, sauerkraut, cheese, and rye bread.

The sour flavor of the sauerkraut and the saltiness of the pastrami balance out the mildness of rye bread perfectly.

Don’t forget your complimentary sides!

2. Pop in Some Dill Pickles

There aren’t many sandwich recipes where pickles aren’t welcome.

Why?

Because the acidity cleanses the palate and which makes the taste of other ingredients more enjoyable!

Since everyone has a personal favorite, you can enjoy just about any type of pickles out there.

However, I highly recommend pickles that are fermented in vinegar over salt brine.

3. Add a Slice of Swiss Cheese

Cheese and pastrami are two layers that can make any sandwich taste better.

So, why not add them both together in a sandwich?

One of the most popular types of cheese that blend perfectly with pastrami is Swiss cheese.

This one has a mild nutty flavor and buttery texture that makes it perfect for pastrami!

4. Pair with Eggs and Hash Browns

Nothing says a fulfilling breakfast like an egg sandwich, although you can enjoy it throughout the day as well!

Pairing eggs and hash browns with the saltiness of pastrami makes the sandwich far more enjoyable and delectable!

This recipe is excellent for anyone who’s into bold flavors and enjoys the gingery flavor of wasabi with an extra spicy twist.

If you want to tune down the spiciness or you don’t like wasabi, you can swap it for sour cream or dijon mustard.

6. Throw in Some Baked Sweet Potatoes

Pastrami and sweet potatoes blend in very well in salads, so why not combine them in a warm sandwich?

For the best outcome, you’ll need to bake the sweet potatoes until they’re soft and hearty.

After that, spread them over seasoned pastrami with some of your favorite pastrami sandwich toppings.

7. Try Some Salsa Verde

Salsa verde is another highly underrated pairing choice that really hits the spot for me.

The tomatillo-based sauce has a refreshing taste with slight tart and mild heat.

This one requires a few unique ingredients, so it’s always best to opt for store-bought options if you want to skip the hassle of preparing it.

8. Go Classic with BLT

Bacon, lettuce, and tomato combination is extremely popular because it simply works!

So, if you’re not in the mood for some adventurous flavors but you still want a delicious pastrami sandwich, going classic is a guaranteed win!

9. Double the Protein with Roasted Turkey

If you’re looking for a delicious sandwich that will keep you full until dinner, you might want to go for roast turkey along with the pastrami.

The combination blends in quite well, even with leftovers.

A great tip here would be adding some melted cheese over the pastrami.

This balances the flavors and adds a much need juiciness to the sandwich.

10. Modernize with a Few Pomegranate Seeds

The sweet and sour taste of pomegranate seeds can really blend in perfectly with the lingering savory effect of pastrami.

For that reason, a lot of new recipes combine the two together.

This pastrami pizza recipe here does just that, so why not try it out as a sandwich?

11. Trickle Thousand Island Sauce

Thousand island sauce is a classic choice to pair with just about any type of meat, including pastrami.

While there are plenty of recipes for making the sauce at home, I found this one to be quite delicious and to the point!

As the video mentions at 1:07, it’s very important to use white onion for thousand island sauc.

This is because white onion is milder and sweeter than yellow and red varieties.

12. Keep It Healthy with Avocados

If you want a healthy topping to have on your pastrami sandwich, you might want to go for avocados.

In addition to the buttery smooth texture and unique flavor, avocados are a great source of multiple vitamins and minerals.

Additionally, studies show that avocados are rich in antioxidants and reduce the risk of several heart-related conditions.

13. Smother in Smoked Gouda Cheese Sauce

The smoked gouda cheese sauce is a brilliant choice to pair with a pastrami sandwich.

Unlike many types of cheese, gouda has a relatively low acidity, so it doesn’t clash with the savory flavor of pastrami.

(I use it regularly as brisket sandwich topping as well!)

This recipe shows you how easy it is to prepare the sauce at home, which also doubles as a brilliant dip for fries and nuggets.

Tip: the smoked variety is optional but I highly recommend it!

14. Spice it Up with Creamy Jalapeno Sauce

Jalapeno sauce is one of the best hot pastrami sandwich toppings out there!

I really like that it compliments the savory flavor of pastrami while keeping the sandwich juicy and spicy!

Follow this helpful recipe to create the creamy sauce at home.

Of course, you can adjust the level of heat by going for a combination of mild and hot peppers.

15. Enrich the Flavor with Hollandaise Sauce

Despite its name, hollandaise sauce is originally from French cuisine.

This sauce is prepared by beating egg yolks with salt and a squeeze of lemon, then combined with melted butter.

The texture of the sauce is super creamy and rich along with mild tanginess from the lemons.

It’s also versatile and doubles as a perfect topping for both cold and hot pastrami sandwiches.

16. Garlic Butter Tomato Sauce

Garlic butter tomato sauce is one of the heartiest and most flavorful sauces out there.

In fact, a lot of people enjoy it with bread directly, especially when warm.

However, I found the combination of tomato sauce with pastrami sandwiches as a topping or as a dip before every bite extremely enjoyable!

17. Try Something Special with Ranch Sauce

Ranch sauce is an incredible pairing choice that is quite easy to make at home using simple ingredients.

To prepare the sauce, you need some mayonnaise along with sour cream, buttermilk, and seasoning.

The rich and creamy texture of the sauce really complements the pastrami slices and brightens the flavor remarkably.

For me, I like to make the sauce a little spicy with a few drops of hot sauce!

18. Spread Some Lemon Tahini Sauce

Tahini sauce on its own is an excellent topping for meaty sandwiches, whether you like it rich and thick or smooth and runny.

However, with pastrami, the nutty flavor of the sauce can be a little mild.

To fix that, you might want to squeeze a fresh lemon over the sauce to brighten the flavor profile.

19. Bring in the Tanginess Capers

Speaking of tanginess, another brilliant topping to use along with pastrami sandwiches is capers.

The taste of capers is reminiscent of green olive bitterness and brininess with a notable lemony tang that gives the pastrami sandwich a bold flavor.

A good tip here is to combine the capers with a creamy dressing or mayonnaise to make the sandwich juicier.

20. Enjoy Some Fragrant Cilantro Lime Dressing

Cilantro is a great seasoning for meat because it has a fresh lemony/minty flavor and odor, which brightens up the meat.

In order to enjoy this flavor with your pastrami sandwich, I highly advise you to try this cilantro dressing with extra lime juice and garlic.

The color of the sauce also makes the sandwich a lot more interesting and appealing to the eye!

21. Mix Things Up with Peanut Sauce

Lastly, if you’re feeling adventurous and would like to try out something unique, you should try out this lovely peanut sauce.

This Thai and Indonesian cuisine staple is originally enjoyed with noodles.

But, upon testing I find it an excellent topping for pastrami if you want it nutty, gingery, and spicy!

This video shows you how to easily prepare the sauce at home, starting with squeezing some fresh lemons at 0:30.

The sauce is also rich in garlic and soy sauce for additional savory flavor and 1 tablespoon of fish sauce that blends in perfectly in the smooth sauce!

What to Put on a Pastrami Sandwich: The Best Companion Side Dishes

If you want to turn your pastrami sandwich into an outright complete meal, you must think about the side dish you’re going to serve it with.

While you can pair the savory sandwich with just about anything you can think of, here are some of my favorite combinations:

Mac and Cheese

Although mac and cheese is originally a standalone dish, it can be a wonderful companion with pastrami sandwiches.

The gooey and soft texture of mac and cheese moistens your palate and makes it easier to taste the contrasting flavors of pastrami!

Fruit Salad

A versatile sandwich like pastrami requires an equally versatile side dish like fruit salad.

This one is excellent to break in the savory taste with some sweet flavor and you can add just about any fruit you like to the mix!

Tomato Bisque

Tomato bisque is a type of soft tomato soup that you can enjoy alongside a wide variety of sandwiches.

A great way to add a unique twist to the flavor of tomato bisque is to use crustacean broth of fish sauce while preparing it.

This gives the thick soup a distinctive flavor and aroma.

Oven Baked Potatoes Wedges

Another great side dish that is easy to prepare and makes your pastrami sandwich more filling is baked potatoes.

For me, I like to drizzle some vinegar and olive oil with herbs like chopped basil and cilantro over the potatoes.

Tip: check them often while baking to make sure that they’re soft but still chewy.

Creamy Mushroom Soup

Mushroom soup is another highly versatile side dish that helps you stay full until the next meal.

The creamy and soft texture of the soup makes it extremely delicious, especially when using white button mushrooms.

Mushroom soup is also light and healthy, as it’s a good source of vitamins and minerals.

—–

This wraps it up for today’s guide that answers the curious question “What to put on a pastrami sandwich”.

With this extended list of tasty toppings and add-ons, you should have no trouble figuring out what your next pastrami sandwich should look like!