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National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day

Food · January 14

A day for the hot pastrami sandwich: spiced, smoked, steamed beef piled on rye with mustard, a classic of the American deli counter.

National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day falls on Thursday, January 14, 2027. That is 79 days away.

Pastrami starts as beef, usually brisket or the navel cut, that is cured in brine, rubbed with a coat of black pepper and coriander, then smoked. Before it reaches a sandwich it is steamed, which softens the meat and lets the fat turn tender. Sliced thick and stacked high on rye bread, it becomes the hot pastrami sandwich.

The classic version is simple. Rye, pastrami, a smear of spicy brown mustard, and maybe a pickle on the side. Some people add Swiss cheese or coleslaw, and a few press the whole thing on a griddle. Purists tend to raise an eyebrow at anything beyond mustard, though the sandwich has never seemed to mind.

The experience is mostly about texture and smell. The peppery crust, the smoky edge, the steam rising when the slices come off the warmer. A good deli will cut it by hand so each piece keeps a little of its fat, which is where much of the flavor lives.

Making one at home is easier than it sounds. Store-bought pastrami warms well in a covered pan with a splash of water, which mimics the deli steamer. Warm the bread lightly, keep the mustard generous, and slice the sandwich in half so the layers show.

Ways to celebrate

• Visit a local deli and order a hot pastrami on rye.
• Steam sliced pastrami at home with a splash of water in a covered pan.
• Try your sandwich with spicy brown mustard and a dill pickle.
• Share half a sandwich with a friend who has never tried pastrami.

Dates

All national days on January 14

Also on January 14

• National Dress Up Your Pet Day
• Organize Your Home Day

Categories: Food days