The Best Cheeses To Compliment A Pastrami Sandwich

Pastrami sandwiches are a classic, but what type of cheese should you use? There are several options, including Swiss cheese, Provolone, and Mozzarella. Swiss cheese is a popular choice, as it pairs well with the pastrami and the commonly used rye bread. Provolone is another mild white cheese that can add a nice flavour to the sandwich. If you're looking for a substitute for Provolone, Mozzarella cheese is a similar option. Ultimately, the choice of cheese depends on personal preference, and you can even choose to omit the cheese altogether.

Swiss cheese

A simple hot pastrami and Swiss sandwich can be made with Italian bread, mustard, butter, and pastrami. The key to getting the most flavour is to heat the sandwich in a skillet until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted. This creates a delicious, indulgent lunch option.

For a more complex flavour profile, you can add sauerkraut, pickles, and lettuce to your Swiss cheese and pastrami sandwich. The sharpness of the pickles and the crispness of the lettuce create a refreshing contrast to the nutty Swiss cheese. Toasting your bread, or using a toasted ciabatta roll, can also add a satisfying crunch.

If you're looking for a truly gourmet experience, you might consider an "over-stuffed" pastrami and Swiss sandwich. This could include layering on extra pastrami, cheese, and toppings, or adding in extra ingredients like coleslaw or potato salad. You can also experiment with different types of bread and condiments to create a unique flavour profile that highlights and complements the Swiss cheese and pastrami.

Provolone

A classic pastrami sandwich with Provolone might include: marbled rye bread, thinly sliced beef pastrami, and spicy brown mustard. To make it, you'd butter one side of the rye bread, place it butter-side down on a hot griddle, and then layer on the pastrami and Provolone. Bake it until the cheese is melted and the bread toasted. You could then add coleslaw, spreading it over the cheese, and a plain slice of bread with mustard, placed mustard-side down on top of the coleslaw.

If you want to add a few more ingredients, you could try a hot pastrami sandwich with Provolone, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing. To make this, you'd need to drain the sauerkraut and set it aside, then heat your oven to 350°F. In a large skillet, add the drained sauerkraut with a sprinkle of caraway seeds and cook until the seeds are soft. Move the sauerkraut to one side of the skillet and add pastrami to the other side. Place a slice of Provolone on each piece of bread and put them on a baking sheet. Bake until the cheese begins to melt, then assemble the sandwich. On the bottom bun, add pastrami, then sauerkraut, then a drizzle of Thousand Island dressing, and finally the top bun.

If you're making a larger batch, you can store these sandwiches in the refrigerator and warm them in the microwave for 30-45 seconds.

Rye bread

When making a pastrami sandwich on rye bread, it's recommended to use bakery-style or fresh rye bread, as this makes a big difference in the overall taste of the sandwich. You can use traditional rye, marbled rye, pumpernickel rye, or even sourdough bread if you want to make a traditional pastrami sandwich.

To prepare the rye bread for the sandwich, start by lightly toasting the slices. Then, coat one side of each slice with butter. You can also spread a layer of Russian dressing or Thousand Island dressing on the other side of the bread slices.

For an extra crispy texture, you can grill the buttered bread slices on a griddle or skillet before assembling the sandwich. This adds a nice crunch to the sandwich and enhances the flavour.

Assembling the Pastrami Sandwich on Rye Bread

To assemble the pastrami sandwich on rye bread, place a slice of Swiss cheese on top of the dressing. You can also use provolone or another type of mild white cheese, such as Provolone. Then, add the warmed pastrami and other toppings of your choice, such as sauerkraut or coleslaw.

For a classic pastrami on rye, you can top the pastrami with tangy sauerkraut, which adds a nice crunch and a sour kick to the sandwich. Alternatively, you can use coleslaw for a slightly sweeter and tangier option.

Finally, place the second slice of rye bread on top, with the buttered side facing outwards. Grill the sandwich in a skillet or panini press until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.

Serve your pastrami on rye with a side of potato chips, potato salad, dill pickles, or half-sour pickles for a true delicatessen experience!

Thousand Island dressing

While a traditional pastrami sandwich doesn't usually include cheese, some people like to add a mild white cheese such as Swiss cheese or Provolone. If you want to add cheese to your pastrami sandwich, here is a guide to making a delicious pastrami sandwich with Thousand Island dressing:

Ingredients

• Pastrami
• Bread (rye bread is traditional, but you can also use brioche buns, hamburger buns, or any bread of your choice)
• Cheese (Swiss or Provolone)
• Sauerkraut
• Thousand Island dressing
• Butter (optional)
• Caraway seeds (optional)

Method

First, drain the sauerkraut and set it aside. If you're using caraway seeds, lightly toast them in a pan and mix them with the sauerkraut. Next, add the pastrami to the pan and warm it through. Meanwhile, prepare your bread by buttering the slices and adding a slice of cheese to each. Place the bread in the oven or under a grill until the cheese is melted and the edges are golden brown. Finally, assemble your sandwich by placing the pastrami and sauerkraut on the bottom bun, drizzling with Thousand Island dressing, and topping with the remaining bun.

Tips

• If you want to warm your bread, you can place it in the oven or toast it in a pan.
• Toasting the caraway seeds gives the sauerkraut a delicious savoury flavour.
• You can use store-bought or homemade Thousand Island dressing.
• If you don't like sauerkraut, you can omit it or replace it with coleslaw.

Sourdough bread

A pastrami sandwich on sourdough can be made in a variety of ways. One option is to make a pastrami Reuben sandwich. To make this, you can spread thousand island dressing on sourdough bread slices, top it with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and pastrami, and then grill the sandwich in a skillet until the cheese is melted. You can also add butter to the outside of the sandwich before grilling.

Another option is to make a simpler pastrami sandwich with sourdough, pastrami, and cheese. You can use Swiss, provolone, or Muenster cheese, and add other ingredients like avocado, garlic, or French dressing. You can also add butter to the bread and fry it in a pan.

For a different flavour profile, you can spread mustard on the sourdough bread, add pastrami, and top it with provolone or Swiss cheese. This sandwich can be grilled in a skillet until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted.

Frequently asked questions