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Hot Pastrami and Swiss Cheese Sliders combine the smoky goodness of beef pastrami, the creamy richness of Swiss cheese, and the perfect blend of spices on a handheld sized bun!

I’m diving into the realm of comfort finger foods with a recipe that takes my favorite sandwich and turns it into the perfect game night food!

If you’re a pastrami lover, you never forget when you had your first sandwich!

I remember my first pastrami and Swiss sandwich like it was yesterday…and truth be told, it was over 40 years ago, at a little Corner sandwich shop, in Temecula, California. One day on a lunch date, with my future husband, he took me to “The Corner Sandwich Shop” (Yeah…that’s what it was called..original huh?) for a bite to eat. The owner of the shop was a larger-than-life wonderful Jewish man, with a thick Brooklyn accent. I adored him!

He knew his way around a great sandwich! From a mouthwatering French Roast Beef Dip to his daily special… THE pastrami sandwich!! I had never had the sinfully thin sliced peppery cured beef, on a toasted hoagie bun with melted Swiss and mustard sandwich. Needless to say…It was love at first bite! L.O.V.E!

Which is why, when thinking about my Super Bowl menu for this year, I decided to make a mini version of this classic sandwich. To say this one was a “hit” is an understatement! My daughter loves them so much she’s already made them for her family for dinner this week! If a picky 4-year-old likes it…you know you’re gonna love them too!

So, roll up your sleeves, preheat the oven, and get ready to elevate your slider game with our Hot Pastrami and Swiss Cheese Sliders!

Ingredients for Mini Pastrami Sandwiches

• 12 Slider Buns – You can use Hawaiian rolls, Brioche Mini Sliders from Walmart, pretzel rolls, or any small slider-sized bun.
• 1.5 lbs Thinly Sliced Pastrami -or shaved pastrami. (Bribe that Deli Counter Server and you might get it shaved!)
• 6 slices Baby Swiss Cheese – cut in half.
• 3 tablespoons of butter – melted.
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt or garlic powder depending on personal taste
• 2 Tablespoons Everything Bagel seasoning
• ¾ cup mayonnaise…say this with me slowly…” I hereby swear not to use Miracle Whip”!
• 1½ Tablespoon Mustard – I use yellow mustard, you can use spicy mustard.

How to make Pastrami Slider Party Appetizers

Preheat the oven to “broil high”. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or use a non-stick baking sheet.

TIP: If you like “easy clean-up”, I highly recommend lining your baking sheet with parchment paper! These sandwiches can get a little messy!

Slice the slider buns in half using a serrated knife, or if they are pre-sliced, separate them. Arrange the buns on the prepared baking sheet with the inside of each bun facing up. This will allow you to toast the inside of each bun. (Toasted buns are a must! Just ask anyone on a nudist beach! Lol)

Place the buns in the oven. Toast until lightly golden brown and remove. Set aside while you prepare the pastrami and sandwich fillings.

Creating the fillings and condiments

One of the condiments that elevates this sandwich above other pastrami sandwiches is the creamy mustard and mayo spread! It is so yummy and a MUST for this sandwich. Even my picky grandkids who don’t like mustard…love this spread on this sandwich! It’s ridiculously easy to make!

TIP: If you like a little extra kick, you can use spicy mustard rather than regular yellow mustard.

In a small bowl, combine ¾ cup mayonnaise with 1½ tablespoons of yellow mustard. Mix until well incorporated and set aside, be sure to cover and refrigerate if preparing in advance. If the level of mustard isn’t strong enough for your liking…add more. I won’t be offended!

Slider Buttery Topping

In a microwave-safe bowl, add 3 tablespoons of butter, and ½ to 1 teaspoon of garlic salt or garlic powder (it’s about personal preference), melt in the microwave for 30–60 seconds on high. Carefully remove and stir. Set aside.

Let’s talk Pastrami!

What is pastrami? Besides being the main ingredient of this sandwich, it is beef brisket that is brined raw, then dried, seasoned with herbs and spices, most notably black pepper and fennel, then smoked and steamed! Steamed being the preferred cooking method of preparing this cut of meat.

There tends to be a lot of confusion around Corned Beef and Pastrami, and the main difference between the two types of lunch meat really comes down to how they are cut and processed. After being processed, corned beef is generally boiled (think St. Patrick’s Day) and pastrami is smoked and steamed!

Pastrami is loaded with such amazing flavors thanks to its beautiful crust made of fennel, mustard, brown sugar, garlic, brown sugar, and coriander.

I highly recommend that when purchasing pastrami you choose a high quality product. It’s worth the extra cost. Ask the deli counter server to slice the pastrami as thin as possible…even to the extent of “shaving” the meat!

Steaming the Pastrami

In a large skillet, over medium heat, add 1/4 cup of water. Add the pastrami. Cover with a lid and let the pastrami steam for 2–3 minutes. Remove the lid, and using tongs, gently toss the pastrami. Cover again and repeat for another 2–3 minutes. Once the majority of the liquid has evaporated, remove from heat. Pastrami will curl slightly and should be tender and juicy.

PRO TIP: To make eating the sliders easier, I like to chop the pastrami to make it fit easier in a smaller bun.

Assembling Hot Pastrami Sliders

Grab that amazing mustard spread because it’s time to assemble these mini sandwiches!

Using a small spatula, or butter knife, spread about 1–2 tablespoons of mustard spread on the inside of the top and bottom half of the rolls.

Note: If you prefer your pastrami sandwiches with Russian dressing, you can substitute the mustard spread for the russian dressing.

Cut 6 slices of Swiss cheese in half, for a total of 12 half-slices. On the top half of the rolls place half a slice of Swiss cheese.

On the bottom half of each slider, evenly distribute the steamed pastrami.

Pop back into the oven, still set on broil, for 1–2 minutes until the cheese is melted. Remove from the oven and place the hot baking sheet on a hot pad, baking rack, or cutting board.

TIP: If you like pickles with your pastrami sandwiches…this is the time to slide a little dill pickle slice on top of the Swiss cheese.

Carefully, and I mean carefully, using a flat spatula or tongs, place the top of each bun on top of the bottom of the rolls with the pastrami. Remember that the baking sheet is HOT and you’re fond of your fingertips! At least I know I am, regardless of what my glue gun has to say about it! That gooey cheese isn’t playing around either, friends! So please use caution.

Once all the tops have been placed on top of the bottom’s, grab the melted garlic butter that’s been hanging around waiting for its turn! Things are about to get REAL!

Brush the top of each slider with a healthy dose of the butter mixture and then sprinkle the top of each slider with everything bagel seasoning. You can substitute it with plain poppy seeds, but you’ll be missing out!

I highly recommend using everything bagel seasoning…it adds such a wonderful flavor. It pairs beautifully with pastrami.

Pop the sliders back into the broiler for 1–2 minutes. You want a slightly golden crispy top bun!

Pro Tip: WATCH them carefully, so they DO NOT BURN! You’ll be tempted to walk away for “just a minute”…don’t do it! (Why Yes! I am speaking from experience!) I’d even suggest setting a timer…because I’ve been there and done that!

You’re ready to party friends! This easy pastrami slider is the ultimate in tailgating party fare this football season! Wrap them up in aluminum foil and place them on the grill for a few minutes to warm throughout. They are sure to be a huge hit…and the best part? You’ll be the most popular host!

They also make a great weeknight dinner idea! You can switch this new recipe out for a more traditional sandwich by using bigger rolls! You can even switch out the hoagie rolls for rye bread! Nothing better than pastrami on rye! Get creative!

However, if you’re serving these to the big guys for game day, like I am, place the individual sliders on a fun prepared tray for serving. These are the perfect game day food!

I like to pair them with popular sides, like my tortellini olive salad or classic red potato salad served in individual mini cups!

Other favorite Football Finger Food Recipes

• Hasselback Pepperoni Pizza Sliders
• Loaded Cheesy Queso Dip
• Easy Homemade Soft Pretzels
• Steak on a Stick from Allrecipes.com

Hot Pastrami and Swiss Cheese Sliders are a crowd-pleaser, perfect for game nights, family gatherings, or any occasion that calls for a delicious treat. I hope you’ll give these little gems a try! I know your family will love them as much as we do.

Thanks for stopping by today!

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