14 Best Side Dishes for Pastrami Sandwiches

On the hunt for the best side dishes for pastrami sandwiches?

From potato salad and pickled tomatoes to crunchy coleslaw, you’ll never have to think about what to serve with pastrami sandwiches again!

Few sandwiches are as iconic as the pastrami sandwich.

Originating in the busy streets of New York City in the late 1800s, this classic kosher meat sandwich made with rye bread, onions, and mustard is nothing short of satisfying.

With a sandwich that’s as mighty and meaty as this one, you’ll want to pair it with the right side dishes.

Enjoy your pastrami sandwich with these 14 tasty sides for a wonderful and unforgettable meal!

1. Potato Salad

A good old-fashioned potato salad pairs wonderfully with a pastrami sandwich.

This creamy sensation is packed with potatoes, mayo, mustard, crunchy veggies, and hardboiled eggs.

A rich and savory combo that complements the smoky pastrami perfectly.

For added veggies, you can also mix in broccoli and peas.

Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese on top, and you’ll have a scrumptious potato salad!

2. Macaroni Salad

A classic sandwich deserves a classic side… like macaroni salad!

There are so many ways to make your own macaroni salad. You can add eggs, cheese, carrots, or tomatoes.

Whatever ingredients you make it with, macaroni salad tastes best chilled!

I like to store macaroni salad overnight before serving. This ensures that it’s cool and ready to be enjoyed with my pastrami sandwich.

3. Coleslaw

I love a creamy, crunchy slaw with strong-flavored meats like pastrami.

Serve your very own coleslaw on the side or in the sandwich along with the pastrami, and it’ll taste amazing!

This is also a perfect on-the-go combo.

Pastrami sandwiches are pretty easy to put together, so you can get them ready with your slaw in the morning and pack a lunch!

4. Potato Chips

Potato chips go perfectly with any sandwich, but for a pastrami sandwich, I like to go for salt and pepper or sour cream flavors.

Here’s an insider tip: Try putting the chips in the sandwich!

This might sound weird, but trust me, you’ll love the juicy slices of pastrami, plus the crisp chips all in one bite!

5. French Fries

No list of sides is complete without french fries! Whether you like them thin and crispy or hand-cut and fluffy, you can’t go wrong with this potato side dish.

When making your own homemade fries, be sure to use a starchy variety of potato.

Idaho potatoes are perfect because they’re dense and more firm than other potatoes, so you’ll get the perfect bite!

6. Pickles

There’s nothing like a bite of pickle to freshen up your meaty meal. Serve your pastrami with a side of sliced pickles or pickle spears.

You can also add pickle slices into the sandwich, but I just love the crunch of pickle spears on the side.

Or try them battered and fried for a twist!

Not a fan of pickles? Take a peek at these yummy pickled recipes! They have the same great tang, but they’re more than just regular dill pickles.

7. Chicken Noodle Soup

Who says you can only enjoy chicken noodle soup when you’re sick?

If you want to turn your simple sandwich into a hearty comfort meal, serve it with chicken noodle soup! 

There’s something about the cold, smoky meat paired with something warm that makes it super satisfying!

8. White Bean Soup with Bacon

Here’s another tasty way to enjoy your pastrami sandwich with soup.

White bean soup is made with a light broth and lots of chunky goodies like onions, celery, carrots, and everyone’s favorite, bacon!

Make it with chicken or vegetable stock for a super yummy soup to go with your pastrami sandwich.

9. Sauerkraut

If you want the real New York pastrami sandwich experience, you’ll want to serve up some sauerkraut!

This is also a great addition to the sandwich itself. Whether you buy a jar at the store or make your own, you’ll love the hint of acidity to go with the pastrami.

Definitely give sauerkraut a try!

10. Tomato Cucumber Cottage Cheese Salad

It’s pretty hard to say no to cheese with this meal! And cottage cheese has the perfect salty, creamy taste that’s perfect for pastrami.

Did I mention that it’s super high in protein?! Yup! Even higher than Greek yogurt.

If you don’t feel like eating it on its own, this simple salad is ideal. It’s fresh and crunchy with the perfect amount of added flavor from the veggies.

If you want a slightly milder and milkier cottage cheese, go for the low-fat kind!

11. Pickled Tomatoes

Sweet, zesty, and refreshing, pickled tomatoes are delicious with pastrami, and they’re super easy to make at home!

With just a few simple ingredients, you can have your very own pickled tomatoes. I like to use cherry tomatoes or green tomatoes.

One bite of your sandwich and one bite of your pickled tomato… it’s a perfect match!

12. Matzo Ball Soup

Did you know that pastrami was introduced to the United States because of Jewish immigration?

Have a meal that stays true to its roots by having your pastrami sandwich with another Jewish classic… matzo ball soup!

If you’re extra hungry, this dumpling soup is perfect because it’s extra filling and amazingly delicious!

13. Russian Salad

Here’s another side dish that New Yorkers love to serve with their pastrami sandwich. A salad with Russian dressing pairs perfectly with pastrami.

If you love spicy food, this is a salad you’ll definitely enjoy. Made with lots of chili and horseradish, this Russian dish packs a ton of flavor!

14. Irish Cream Cheesecake

To end your meal, try an Irish Cream Cheesecake as an ode to the immigrants who brought us the amazingly delicious pastrami sandwich!

Made with Baileys Irish Cream, this is a rich and creamy way to end a smoky and savory meal.

Try this cheesecake with an Oreo crust and you might just want to go for an extra slice!