If you’re tired of the same old meals week after week, it’s time to change things up with this super simple but incredibly flavorful deli melt sandwich. Whether you’re making it for lunch, dinner, or to impress a few hungry guests, this sandwich is guaranteed to hit the spot. It’s built with everyday ingredients you can grab from your local grocery store—and once you taste it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t make it sooner.
Let’s dive in.
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need:
This sandwich doesn’t require a ton of ingredients, and you can find everything at your local store. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Garlic cheese bread (or any sturdy loaf you like)
- Deli meats: Thinly sliced pastrami and Cajun turkey breast
- Dill pickle slices
- Yellow mustard
- Mayonnaise
- Shredded cheese (freshly shredded from block cheese melts best)
- Diced onions
- Cooking oil (for grilling)
Optional: You can use a griddle or just a cast iron skillet on the stovetop.
🧅 Step 1: Prep the Onions
Start with grilling your diced onions—this step adds an amazing layer of flavor. Use a little bit of oil to get them started, and if they begin to dry out, splash in a little water to keep them soft and juicy.
If you’re using a griddle, create a two-zone setup: one side for high heat (cooking), and one side for low heat (warming). This makes it easier to manage everything at once.
🍞 Step 2: Slice the Bread
Take your garlic cheese bread and cut it into thick slices. Thick slices hold up better when grilled and stuffed with meat and cheese. A serrated bread knife makes the job easier and keeps the loaf from getting squished.
🧀 Step 3: Get the Cheese Ready
Shred your cheese fresh from a block if possible—it melts better and gives that gooey, stretchy texture everyone loves. Any type works, but a sharp cheddar or blend of cheddar and mozzarella brings a great flavor balance.
🥩 Step 4: Cook the Meats
Let’s talk meat. You can do just pastrami, just Cajun turkey, or both like in this sandwich.
Start by lightly oiling your hot griddle or skillet. Place the pastrami on the hot side and let it sizzle. Stack it up—don’t be shy! About half a pound per sandwich gives you that real deli feel.
Once the pastrami is sizzling, add your Cajun turkey to another spot. Chop it up a bit on the griddle for better texture and quicker cook time. Just like the onions, you’re not looking to cook it long—just heat it through and develop that slight char.
Once done, slide both meats over to the warm zone to hold while you toast your bread.
🍞 Step 5: Toast the Bread with Mayo
Instead of butter, we’re using mayo to toast the bread. It spreads easily, toasts beautifully, and gives the bread a golden, crispy finish. Don’t knock it ‘til you try it!
Spread mayo on one side of each bread slice and place it mayo-side down on the hot griddle. Toast until golden brown—it’ll look like it was done in butter, but with more flavor.
🧀 Step 6: Add Cheese & Melt
Once the bread is toasting, pile the meat onto one slice and top it with a generous amount of shredded cheese. The residual heat will start melting it, or you can cover it with a lid or dome for faster melting.
🥪 Step 7: Build the Sandwich
Now comes the fun part—putting it all together.
- Start with your toasted bread base (mayo-grilled side down).
- Add the cheesy pastrami or Cajun turkey mixture.
- Spoon on the grilled onions.
- Drizzle on mustard (as much or as little as you like).
- Lay down some dill pickle slices.
- Top with the other slice of bread.
That’s it. A sandwich so good, it might start a family feud over who gets the last one.
🔥 Why This Sandwich Works
- Mayo-toasted bread: Crispy outside, soft inside.
- Thin-sliced deli meat: Quick to cook and super flavorful.
- Grilled onions: Adds sweetness and depth.
- Melty cheese: Ties everything together.
- Pickles & mustard: The tangy kick that cuts through the richness.
It’s the balance of flavors and textures that takes this from basic to over-the-top good.
💡 Tips & Variations:
- Mix the meats: Pastrami and Cajun turkey are great together, but roast beef, corned beef, or smoked ham also work.
- Add spice: A little hot sauce or pepper jack cheese can turn the heat up.
- Vegetarian twist: Use grilled mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers with cheese for a hearty meat-free option.
- Don’t skip the pickles: Trust us—they’re essential.
🎯 Final Thoughts
This might be one of the easiest sandwiches you’ll ever make, but it tastes like something out of a gourmet deli. That’s what makes it so good—it’s simple, customizable, and packed with flavor. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to break out of the dinner rut without spending hours in the kitchen.
So go ahead—hit your local deli, grab a loaf of good bread, and make this sandwich. Let us know how it turns out, and don’t forget to share the love (or keep the pastrami for yourself—we won’t judge).
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There’s a whole channel dedicated to simple, flavorful meals that bring variety to your kitchen without the stress. We’re all about taking the mystery out of cooking and making it fun again.
Until next time, peace—and happy grilling!