Seven Deli Sandwiches your Family will Love

So you've tried our Black Russian pumpernickel bread. (If you haven't, you should stop what you're doing and go make a loaf. Seriously, you won't regret it!) 

Maybe you've eaten it with butter, built some colorful hamburger buns, and made a couple basic sandwiches with it.

Great! You're off to a good start, but you might be wondering how else you can enjoy this unique rye bread. But don't worry, we've got you covered. 

When it comes to sandwich making, pumpernickel bread can be used in place of practically any other type of bread, but the distinctive lightly bittersweet flavor and the shocking, naturally black color create some truly unique sandwiches.

This bread provides opens up a whole new world of flavor combinations to choose from!

The subtle earthy notes pair particularly well with the tanginess of sharp cheeses or the fruity sweetness of jellies and jams. It is incredible with other strong flavors like sauerkraut, cream cheese, pickles, salmon, mustard, and more! 

Here we've rounded up seven sandwich ideas and recipes you can make using Black Russian Pumpernickel bread.

Seven Sandwiches to Serve

These pumpernickel sandwiches are not your typical everyday sandwiches. These are unique, elevated, and so easy to throw together.

Sure, some of them might take a little bit of prep work, but it is completely worth it.

Take a chance on pumpernickel deli sandwiches. You won't be disappointed!

1. The Classic Reuben Sandwich

If you’ve never had a reuben sandwich before, you are missing out! But lucky for you, this pumpernickel bread is the perfect vessel for such a hearty sandwich.

Piled high with sauerkraut, layered with corned beef, swiss cheese, and a delectably tangy Russian dressing, this is the ultimate sandwich to add to your lunch repertoire. Whether you make your own sauerkraut and corned beef, or buy it from the store, this sandwich seriously one of a kind. It makes the little bit of prep work completely worth it!

Ingredients:

• 2 slices of bread, thickly sliced
• Thousand Island salad dressing
• Swiss cheese, very thinly sliced
• Deli-style corned beef, thinly sliced
• sauerkraut
• olive oil or melted butter

Directions:

Spread one side of each slice of bread with the Thousand Island dressing.  Place a layer of cheese on one slice of bread over the dressing, then corned beef, then sauerkraut, and then another layer of cheese.  Top with another slice of bread.  Brush the outside of the sandwich with olive oil or melted butter.

Cook on the heated grill pan or griddle, cheese side down and topped with a panini press until crisp and golden.  If you are not using a panini press, turn the sandwich after one side is cooked.

Baker’s note:  The cheese is placed next to the bread so that it will melt easily while grilling. 

These complex flavors meld together beautifully You won’t be able to get enough.

2. Corned Beef on Rye

For another Reuben-esque sandwich, take a chance on this corned beef on rye Sandwich. Stacked with corned beef and pickles, you will love this sandwich! Unlike the previous (classic) Reuben sandwich, this corned beef sandwich is a can be thrown together in minutes with zero cook time!

Ingredients:

• 2 slices Pumpernickel Bread
• Thousand Island Dressing
• Swiss cheese slices
• Sliced Corned Beef
• Slices Dill Pickles (Dried thoroughly with a paper towel)
• Romaine Lettuce 

Directions: 

Spread thousand Island dressing on each slice of bread. Stack a few slices of corned beef, Swiss cheese, pickles, lettuce, and the other slice of bread. That's it! 

Serve cold with fresh vegetables, chips, or fries.

3. Ham and Cheese with Oven Fries

Who doesn't love a grilled ham and cheese sandwich? Take it up a notch with some homemade oven fries, and you'll be ready to roll.

Sandwich Ingredients:

• 2 Slices pumpernickel bread
• Black Forest ham, thinly sliced
• Provolone Cheese Slices
• Butter (for grilling)

Sandwich Directions:

First, spread a thin layer of butter on one side of each slice of bread. Place one slice of bread, butter side down, on a griddle heated to medium. Add cheese and ham, and top with another slice of bread. Cook each side for 3-4 minutes, flipping once. 

Easy oven Fries Ingredients:

• 2-3 large baking potatoes
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp salt or seasoned salt of your choice

Oven Fries Directions:

Wash potatoes, and peel if desired. Slice potatoes into 1/4 inch fry sticks. Soak fries for at least 30 minutes in cold water.

Preheat the oven to 375° F.

Drain water and dry fries thoroughly with a dish towel. (Make sure these are really dry or you will end up with soggy fries.)

Once dry, toss with olive oil and seasonings.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and arrange fries in a single layer on the pan.

Bake for 20 minutes, crank up the temperature to 425° F, flip the fries and bake for 20 more minutes or until crispy and golden.

4. Grilled Cheese on Black Bread

This next sandwich is an easy one. Make your favorite grilled cheese sandwich, but slap it between two slices of pumpernickel bread, throw on some dill pickles and voila, you've got a more elevated grilled cheese creation. Here is our favorite way to make it.

Ingredients: 

2 Slices Pumpernickel Bread

2 slices smoked gouda

2 slices dill pickles (blotted dry with a paper towel)

Butter for grilling

Directions:

Butter one side of each slice of bread. Place one slice butter side down on a griddle at medium heat. Add a slice of cheese, pickles, another slice of cheese, and the other slice of bread. Grill for 3-4 minutes on each side, flipping once. Serve immediately with fries or your favorite chips.

 Check out this article about how to make better grilled Sandwiches.

5. Deli Sandwiches on a Bun

This next idea is less of a recipe, and more or a creative way to switch up your regular sandwiches.

Make some pumpernickel hamburger buns or rolls, and add whatever sandwich toppings you like! 

Here is our guide to making unforgettable hamburger buns!

6. Chicken Salad

 Make a delicious chicken salad sandwich on Pumpernickel Rye! While this image doesn't display the majesty of a pumpernickel chicken salad sandwich, you can easily imagine what it might be like. Try this Classic Chicken Salad Sandwich recipe.

Ingredients: 

• 6-8 slices Pumpernickel Bread
• 8 oz cooked and chopped chicken breast
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• Sliced Grapes (Optional)
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

Combine chicken, mayonnaise, onion, mustard, grapes, salt, and pepper. Letting the salad sit in the fridge overnight really helps the flavors meld together. If you're short on time though, you can serve it immediately between slices of pumpernickel bread. 

7. Cream Cheese on Pumpernickel

For a quick and easy snack, try an open faced sandwich! Spread a layer of cream cheese on toasted or untoasted pumpernickel bread, and eat it just like that, or you can add some other delicious toppings to it.

• Try sliced cucumber and dill to make a classic tea sandwich.
• Add some roasted red peppers 
• Sliced smoked salmon and dill make for a beautiful pairing.

Feel free to be creative, and experiment with your own sandwich toppings and flavors. Black Russian pumpernickel bread is more versatile than you might expect, so it is nearly impossible to fail!

Good luck and happy sandwich making!