What to Serve With Pastrami: 15 Best Side Dishes

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Choosing the right sides for your pastrami can truly enhance your meal. For a classic touch, try potato salad with its rich and savory flavors. Macaroni salad, known for its creamy texture, also pairs wonderfully. Coleslaw offers a invigorating crunch that balances the pastrami's richness. If you're craving something crispy, potato chips or French fries are perfect choices. These sides, each bringing their own unique textures and flavors, will make your pastrami dish an unforgettable experience. There are even more delightful sides to explore that will complement your pastrami perfectly.

Potato Salad

picnic staple family favorite

Potato salad, with its rich and savory flavor profile, is a classic side dish that pairs exceptionally well with a pastrami sandwich.

This delicious side often includes potatoes, mayo, mustard, veggies, and hardboiled eggs, creating a satisfying blend of textures and flavors.

For added flair, consider incorporating broccoli or peas, or topping it with grated parmesan cheese for extra richness.

Macaroni Salad

summery picnic favorite dish

Macaroni salad, with its creamy texture and tangy dressing, serves as a delightful complement to the rich flavors of a pastrami sandwich.

Typically made with eggs, cheese, carrots, and tomatoes, this classic side is best enjoyed chilled.

Its versatility allows you to customize the ingredients and seasonings, making it a convenient and flavorful addition to any meal featuring pastrami.

Coleslaw

fresh coleslaw recipe ideas

Following the creamy delight of macaroni salad, coleslaw offers an invigorating and crunchy side dish that perfectly complements the savory flavors of pastrami.

This versatile side can either be added to pastrami sandwiches or served separately for a revitalizing contrast. Its creamy mayo base mellows the intense flavors of pastrami, and with pre-packaged mixes available, it's a quick, easy, and convenient option.

Potato Chips

crunchy snack with flavor

Crispy and satisfying, potato chips are an ideal companion to the robust flavors of a pastrami sandwich. This versatile side dish enhances the dining experience with its delightful crunch, perfectly complementing corned beef as well.

Popular flavors like classic salt and pepper or tangy sour cream make potato chips a top side dish suggestion, providing a convenient, tasty, and textural contrast to savory pastrami.

French Fries

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French fries, a quintessential comfort food, serve as an excellent accompaniment to the savory richness of a pastrami sandwich.

As one of the most beloved side dishes, french fries add a delightful crunch and satisfying texture. Opt for starchy Idaho potatoes for the best homemade results.

Seasoned with salt, pepper, or chili powder, they enhance the overall dining experience, making every bite enjoyable.

Pickles

crunchy tangy brine soaked cucumbers

In addition to the classic pairing of french fries, pickles offer a revitalizing and tangy contrast to the robust flavors of pastrami. Serve them sliced, as pickle spears on the side, or even added directly to the sandwich.

Battered and fried pickles provide a unique texture, while pickled tomatoes add a sweet and zesty touch, enhancing your pastrami experience.

Chicken Noodle Soup

comforting winter meal option

Chicken Noodle Soup serves as a comforting and hearty companion to a pastrami sandwich, offering a warm and wholesome addition to the meal.

This classic pairing contrasts the cold meat of the pastrami with steaming broth and tender noodles.

As one of the best side dishes, it creates a satisfying experience, blending flavors and textures for a complete and delightful dining journey.

White Bean Soup

comforting winter meal option

After savoring the warmth and comfort of Chicken Noodle Soup, another excellent companion for a pastrami sandwich is White Bean Soup.

This delightful side dish features a light broth filled with onions, celery, carrots, and bacon, creating a flavorful and comforting experience. Whether made with chicken or vegetable stock, White Bean Soup adds depth and richness, perfectly complementing the savory flavors of pastrami.

Sauerkraut

fermented cabbage dish popular in germany

Sauerkraut, with its tangy and crunchy texture, is a quintessential side dish that elevates the flavor profile of a New York pastrami sandwich.

This fermented cabbage dish can be served on the side or within the sandwich, providing a delightful contrast to the savory and salty pastrami.

Its acidity and flavor make sauerkraut an essential addition, enhancing every bite of your meal.

Tomato Cucumber Salad

fresh summer vegetable dish

Tomato Cucumber Salad offers a revitalizing and crunchy side dish that perfectly complements the savory richness of pastrami sandwiches.

This salad combines the juicy sweetness of tomatoes with the crispness of cucumbers, creating a delightful contrast in textures.

The addition of creamy cottage cheese enhances the flavor profile, making it a satisfying accompaniment.

It's a nutritious, low-fat option that balances out the rich flavors of pastrami.

Pickled Tomatoes

preserving garden fresh flavors

Pickled tomatoes serve as a sweet and zesty accompaniment to pastrami, offering a burst of flavor that enhances the overall meal experience.

These delightful side dishes can be easily made at home, using simple ingredients. The pickling process boosts the natural sweetness, making them a unique and invigorating addition.

They pair wonderfully with pastrami, much like a sweet side with cranberries.

Matzo Ball Soup

comforting jewish holiday dish

In addition to the tangy notes of pickled tomatoes, Matzo Ball Soup offers a comforting and satisfying complement to a pastrami meal with its rich broth and tender dumplings.

This traditional Jewish soup features dumplings made from matzo meal, adding a hearty and flavorful element to your dining experience.

The rich broth and tender matzo balls perfectly balance the savory flavors of pastrami.

Russian Salad

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Russian Salad frequently stands out as a popular side dish in New York for those enjoying pastrami sandwiches. This vibrant salad features a tangy Russian dressing spiced with chili and horseradish, providing a delightful kick.

As one of the favored side dishes for pastrami, it adds depth and enhances the overall flavor, making it a perfect choice for spicy food enthusiasts.

Latkes

crispy potato pancake delight

Complementing the vibrant Russian Salad, latkes offer a traditional and crispy side dish that pairs exquisitely with pastrami sandwiches.

Made from grated potatoes, onions, eggs, and matzo meal or flour, these potato pancakes are fried until golden brown.

Often served with sour cream or applesauce, latkes add a delightful contrast, making them a popular choice among side dishes for their savory flavor.

Are the Best Side Dishes for Paninis also Suitable for Serving with Pastrami?

When serving pastrami, it’s important to choose the best panini side dishes that complement its rich, savory flavors. Options such as coleslaw, potato salad, and pickles work well for both paninis and pastrami, adding a perfect balance of crunch and tang to the meal.

Garlic Fried Corn

savory summer side dish

Garlic fried corn is a delightful medley of sweet corn and aromatic garlic. It serves as an excellent side dish for pastrami sandwiches. This simple yet delicious dish combines the sweetness of corn with rich, buttery garlic flavors, enhancing the savory taste of pastrami.

Quick to prepare and highly customizable, garlic fried corn adds depth and a satisfying contrast to your meal.