Step 1

Preheat a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Butter one side of each slice of rye bread.

Step 2

Place 4 slices of the bread, buttered side down, on the hot skillet. Top each with 2 slices of Swiss cheese.

Step 3

Pile 1/4 lb of pastrami on top of the cheese on each sandwich. Top the pastrami with 1/4 cup sauerkraut.

Step 4

Spread about 1 tbsp of Russian dressing on the non-buttered side of the remaining 4 slices of rye bread. Place them dressing side down on top of the sauerkraut to finish assembling the sandwiches.

Step 5

Cook the sandwiches for 3-4 minutes until the bottom is crispy and golden brown. Carefully flip and cook the other side until the cheese is melted and the sandwich is heated through, another 2-3 minutes.

Step 6

Remove the hot pastrami sandwiches from the skillet. Cut each in half diagonally and serve immediately with dill pickle slices on the side.