Last updated: January 14, 2026
Quick Answer: January 14 National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day is an annual food holiday celebrated every January 14 in the United States. It honors the iconic hot pastrami sandwich, thinly sliced, spiced cured beef piled high on rye bread, and encourages food lovers to eat, share, and celebrate one of America’s most beloved deli sandwiches.
Key Takeaways
- January 14 is National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day, observed annually in the U.S.
- The holiday uses the hashtag #HotPastramiSandwichDay on social media platforms including Facebook and Twitter.
- Pastrami traces its roots to Romanian and Jewish immigrant communities who brought the curing tradition to New York in the late 1800s.
- Sussman Volk, a New York butcher, is widely credited as the first person to sell pastrami sandwiches commercially in the U.S., around 1887.
- Rye bread is the traditional and most popular bread choice for a hot pastrami sandwich.
- The best way to reheat pastrami without drying it out is to steam it, just as top New York delis do.
- In 2026, food fans across the country are marking the day with deli visits, home cooking, and social media posts.
- Related January food holidays include National French Onion Soup Day on January 12 and National Gluten-Free Day on January 13.
What Is National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day?
National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day is a food observance celebrated every January 14 that highlights the hot pastrami sandwich as a cornerstone of American deli culture. The day encourages people to eat a hot pastrami sandwich, visit a local deli, cook pastrami at home, or share their love of this classic meat on social media using #HotPastramiSandwichDay.
The sandwich itself is a straightforward but deeply satisfying combination: thinly sliced hot pastrami, typically served on rye bread with yellow or spicy brown mustard. Some versions add Swiss cheese, coleslaw, or pickles. The hot in “hot pastrami” refers to the fact that the meat is steamed or heated before serving, giving it that tender, juicy texture deli fans love.
The national day calendar lists January 14 alongside dozens of other food holidays throughout January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November, but few generate as much enthusiasm as this one. For a full look at what else January holds, browse the complete list of January national days.
History of National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day
The history of National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day is tied directly to the history of pastrami itself, which arrived in New York via Romanian and Jewish immigrants in the late nineteenth century. The day was created to honor that culinary legacy and give Americans a reason to celebrate one of the country’s most iconic sandwiches every January 14.
Where Did Pastrami Originate?
Pastrami’s origins lie in Romanian and Turkish meat-curing traditions. Romanian immigrants, many of them Jewish, brought the technique of salting, spicing, and smoking beef to New York’s Lower East Side in the 1880s. The word “pastrami” is believed to derive from the Romanian word pastramă, which referred to a method of preserving meat with salt and spices.
Sussman Volk, a New York butcher, is widely credited as the first person to sell a pastrami sandwich in the United States, reportedly beginning around 1887. Volk is said to have received the recipe from a Romanian friend in exchange for storing the friend’s luggage. He began selling the sandwich at his butcher shop on Delancey Street, and the rest is food history.
By the early twentieth century, Jewish delis across New York were serving hot pastrami sandwiches as a staple. The dish became so embedded in New York culture that it earned a starring moment in the 1989 film When Harry Met Sally, where the iconic “I’ll have what she’s having” scene was filmed at Katz’s Delicatessen, still one of the most famous pastrami spots in the world.
When Did the National Holiday Start?
The exact founding year of National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day is not definitively documented in public records. Food holiday tracking sites began listing it prominently around 2014, and interest has grown steadily since then, with 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and now 2026 each seeing broader social media participation. The national day calendar recognizes January 14 as the official date, and food media outlets have covered it consistently since at least 2014.
How to Celebrate National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day
The best way to celebrate January 14 National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day is to eat a hot pastrami sandwich, whether at a deli, at work, or at home. Here are four proven ways to mark the day.
Host a Hot Pastrami Sandwich Party
Gather friends or family and build a hot pastrami sandwich bar. Set out sliced pastrami kept warm in a steamer or slow cooker, rye bread, pumpernickel, mustards, Swiss cheese, pickles, and coleslaw. Let guests build their own sandwiches. Share photos on Facebook or Twitter with the hashtag #HotPastramiSandwichDay to join the national conversation.
Enjoy Pastrami Sandwiches with Coworkers
January 14 falls mid-week in many years, making it easy to bring hot pastrami sandwiches to the office. Order from a local deli, or prep a batch at home and bring them in. It’s a simple way to share a food holiday with coworkers and spark conversation about the history of this classic meat.
Learn Fun Facts About Pastrami
Use the day as an excuse to dig into pastrami’s fascinating past. The Romanian and Jewish immigrant story, the role of Sussman Volk, the New York deli culture, all of it makes for great lunchtime conversation. The 2023 and 2024 coverage of this holiday on food blogs introduced many readers to these stories for the first time, and 2025 saw even more engagement online.
Visit the Annual Pastrami Festival or a Classic Deli
While there is no single nationwide pastrami festival, many cities, especially New York, host deli events and promotions around January 14. Check local listings for National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day deals near you. Searching “January 14 national hot pastrami sandwich day near me” on Google will surface local deli promotions and events in your area for 2026.
Classic Pastrami Sandwich Spots in the U.S.
Some of the best hot pastrami sandwiches in America can be found at these well-known delis:
| Deli | City | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Katz’s Delicatessen | New York, NY | Hand-sliced pastrami since 1888 |
| Langer’s Deli | Los Angeles, CA | Double-baked rye bread pastrami |
| Carnegie Deli (legacy) | New York, NY | Overstuffed pastrami sandwiches |
| Zingerman’s Deli | Ann Arbor, MI | Artisan pastrami on rye |
| Hat’s Deli | Utah | Regional favorite hot pastrami |
New York remains the undisputed capital of the hot pastrami sandwich in the U.S., but cities across the country, from Utah to Los Angeles, have developed their own loyal deli followings.
How to Make a Proper Hot Pastrami Sandwich at Home
A proper hot pastrami sandwich requires steamed or heated pastrami, rye bread, and mustard, that’s the classic foundation. Here’s how to do it right.
Best Bread for a Pastrami Sandwich
Rye bread is the traditional choice, and for good reason: its slightly sour, dense crumb holds up to the juicy meat without falling apart. Seeded rye or marble rye both work well. Pumpernickel is a close second. Avoid soft white sandwich bread, it gets soggy fast and can’t support the weight of a proper pastrami sandwich.
What Condiments Go on a Pastrami Sandwich?
The classic condiment for a hot pastrami sandwich is spicy brown mustard or yellow mustard. Some delis add Swiss cheese, Russian dressing, or coleslaw. A pastrami Reuben, a popular variation, uses Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian or Thousand Island dressing on rye. Keep it simple if you want the meat to shine; the pastrami itself is the star.
How to Cook Pastrami at Home
To make pastrami from scratch, start with a beef brisket. Cure it in a brine of salt, sugar, garlic, and pickling spices for 5 to 7 days. Then coat it in a spice rub of black pepper, coriander, garlic, and mustard seed. Smoke the brisket over hardwood (typically oak or hickory) at around 225°F (107°C) for 6 to 8 hours until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Finish by steaming the meat for 2 to 3 hours until it reaches 200°F (93°C), this is what gives pastrami its signature tender, pull-apart texture.
If making it from scratch feels like too much, store-bought pastrami from a good deli counter is a solid shortcut.
How to Reheat Pastrami Without Drying It Out
The best method is steaming. Place sliced pastrami in a steamer basket over simmering water for 3 to 5 minutes. This rehydrates the meat and restores its tenderness. Microwaving pastrami tends to dry it out and toughen the texture. If a steamer isn’t available, wrap the pastrami in a damp paper towel and microwave in 20-second bursts on medium power. Avoid dry heat methods like pan-frying for reheating, save those for crisping a pastrami burger patty.
Can You Freeze Pastrami?
Yes, pastrami freezes well. Wrap sliced pastrami tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe zip bag. It will keep for up to 2 months without significant quality loss. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and steam to reheat. Freezing whole unsliced pastrami preserves moisture better than freezing pre-sliced portions.
Pastrami vs. Corned Beef: What’s the Difference?
Pastrami and corned beef both start from beef brisket cured in a similar brine, but the preparation diverges after curing. Corned beef is boiled or braised after curing, while pastrami is coated in a dry spice rub and then smoked before being steamed. The result: pastrami has a smokier, spicier, more complex flavor and a firmer texture, while corned beef is milder and softer. Both are staples of Jewish deli culture in New York, but the hot pastrami sandwich is generally considered the more intensely flavored of the two.
Is Pastrami Healthy?
Pastrami is a high-protein food but also high in sodium and saturated fat, so moderation matters. A typical 3-ounce (85g) serving of pastrami contains roughly 100 to 130 calories, 15 to 17 grams of protein, and 500 to 700 milligrams of sodium, depending on the brand and preparation. It’s a better lean-protein option than many processed deli meats, but the sodium content means people managing blood pressure should eat it in limited quantities. Pairing it with whole-grain rye bread adds fiber and makes the sandwich more nutritionally balanced.
Why Is Pastrami So Expensive?
Pastrami is expensive because the production process is labor-intensive and time-consuming. The beef brisket must be cured for up to a week, rubbed with spices, smoked for hours, and then steamed. Each step requires time, fuel, and skill. Quality pastrami also starts with a specific cut of beef, the navel or brisket, which is not the cheapest cut but yields the best fat marbling for flavor. At top New York delis, a single hot pastrami sandwich can cost $20 to $25 or more in 2026, reflecting both ingredient quality and the craft involved.
National Days and Holidays Around January 14
January 14 sits in a packed stretch of food holidays on the national day calendar. Here’s a quick look at what surrounds it:
- January 12: National French Onion Soup Day
- January 13: National Gluten-Free Day
- January 14: National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day
- January 15: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (federal holiday)
Other popular January food holidays include National Shortbread Day on January 6, National Bittersweet Chocolate Day on January 10, and National Milk Day on January 11. For the full picture, see the national food holidays archive.
Related sandwich holidays throughout the year include National Sandwich Day (November 3), National Cuban Sandwich Day (August 23), National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day (April 12), and National Fried Chicken Sandwich Day (November 9). If you love food observances, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November all have their own sandwich celebrations to look forward to.
FAQ: National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day
What is hot pastrami sandwich day?
Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day, officially called National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day, is a food holiday observed every January 14 in the United States. It celebrates the hot pastrami sandwich, a deli classic made with thinly sliced, spiced, smoked, and steamed beef served on rye bread. People mark the day by visiting delis, making sandwiches at home, and sharing on social media using #HotPastramiSandwichDay.
Why can Jews eat pastrami?
Pastrami made from beef is considered kosher under Jewish dietary law (kashrut) when prepared according to kosher standards, meaning the animal is slaughtered humanely, the meat is salted to remove blood, and it is not mixed with dairy products. Traditional Jewish delis serve pastrami without cheese to keep the meal kosher. The Romanian Jewish immigrant community brought pastrami to New York specifically because beef pastrami fit within their dietary traditions, making it a natural staple of Jewish deli culture.
Is Jimmy Johns doing anything for National Sandwich Day?
Jimmy John’s has historically run promotions around National Sandwich Day in November, not on January 14 National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day. For 2026 deals specific to January 14, check the Jimmy John’s website or app directly, as promotional offers change each year and are not guaranteed. Local delis and chains like Jason’s Deli or specialty pastrami spots are more likely to run January 14 promotions tied to the hot pastrami sandwich holiday.
What do people do on National Sandwich Day?
On National Sandwich Day (November 3) and similar sandwich holidays like January 14 National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day, people typically visit their favorite deli or sandwich shop, make sandwiches at home, share food photos on Facebook and Twitter, and look for restaurant deals or freebies. Many food lovers use the day to try a new sandwich variety or revisit a classic. Hashtags like #HotPastramiSandwichDay and #NationalSandwichDay trend on social media each year.
Conclusion
January 14 National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day is more than a quirky food holiday, it’s a genuine celebration of culinary history, immigrant culture, and one of America’s most satisfying sandwiches. From the Romanian Jewish roots of Sussman Volk’s New York deli to the steaming piles of spiced meat at Katz’s Delicatessen today, the hot pastrami sandwich has earned its national day.
Here’s what to do on January 14, 2026:
- Find a local deli and order a hot pastrami sandwich on rye with spicy brown mustard.
- If you’re cooking at home, steam store-bought pastrami and serve it on seeded rye bread.
- Share your sandwich on Facebook or Twitter with #HotPastramiSandwichDay.
- Learn one new fact about pastrami’s history and share it with someone who didn’t know.
- Explore more January food holidays, like National Spaghetti Day on January 4 or National Apricot Day on January 9, to keep the food celebration going all month.
Whether you eat it at a New York institution or make it in your own kitchen, the hot pastrami sandwich deserves every bit of its national day spotlight.
Meta Title: January 14 National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day 2026
Meta Description: January 14 is National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day. Discover the history, how to celebrate, classic recipes, and the best pastrami delis in the U.S. for 2026.
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