Copycat Firehouse Subs New York Steamer Sandwich

This Copycat Firehouse Subs New York Steamer Sandwich is everything you love about the original and more! The addition of homemade pastrami and corned beef makes the flavors even more crave-worthy. Serve on a toasted bun with melted provolone for the best New York Steamer ever!

After one bite of this Copycat Firehouse Subs New York Steamer Sandwich, you may never want to go back to the original again! Don’t get me wrong, I adore the Firehouse Subs version, but the addition of homemade pastrami and homemade corned beef just can’t be beaten.

What Is A New York Steamer Sandwich?

This pastrami and corned beef sandwich is served on a toasty bun with melted provolone, mayo, spicy mustard, and a little Italian dressing. It’s a glorious combination of flavors that only takes minutes to assemble.

 Ingredients

• Homemade pastrami — Homemade is best, but deli pastrami can work too.
• Homemade corned beef — Again, homemade has the richest flavor, but you can also pick it up from the deli.
• Submarine sandwich bun – Use soft sub rolls or hoagie rolls. Crusty bread is too hard for this sandwich. Toast the bun lightly to prevent sogginess from the meat juices.
• Italian dressing — Squirt on the sandwich or serve on the side for dipping.
• Mayonnaise – Full-fat mayo works best. Light mayo can make the sandwich watery.
• Melted provolone – Provolone melts smoothly and has the perfect flavor for this sandwich. Mozzarella works but is milder.
• Spicy mustard – Use spicy brown mustard or a deli-style mustard. Yellow mustard works but won’t have the same kick.

How To Make Copycat Firehouse Subs New York Steamer Sandwich

Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions.

Start with a fresh submarine sandwich roll and slice it open if needed. Layer the corned beef, pastrami, and provolone cheese evenly onto the bottom half of the bun.

Place both halves of the sandwich under the broiler for a few minutes, just until the cheese is melted and the bread is lightly toasted. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.

Spread mayonnaise and mustard onto the top half of the bun. Drizzle Italian dressing over the melted cheese and warm meat.

Place the top bun onto the sandwich, slice if desired, and serve immediately. Enjoy!

How To Make A Blackstone Griddle

Preheat your Blackstone griddle to medium heat according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Butter the cut sides of the sandwich buns. Place the buns on the griddle buttered-side down and toast until lightly golden brown.

Add the corned beef and pastrami to the griddle and warm the meat through. Pile the warm meat onto the bottom bun and top with the provolone cheese.

Place a melting dome over the sandwich and add a small squirt of water underneath the dome to create steam. This helps melt the cheese quickly and keeps the meat moist.

Spread mayonnaise and mustard on the top bun. Drizzle Italian dressing over the melted cheese and meat. Close the sandwich, serve immediately, and enjoy.

Chef Jenn’s Tips

• This New York Steamer sandwich recipe is super easy to double or triple – or more – to feed the whole family or a crowd.
• For the best flavor, use bakery-fresh bread and quality pastrami and corned beef.
• Don’t like spicy mustard? Use whatever mustard you prefer.

Make It A Meal

Of course, I always love a pastrami sandwich or corned beef sandwich with chips or fries on the side, and this sandwich is no different. But if you’re looking for freshness, this Mexican Street Corn Salad is full of flavor. Or add a little green to your plate with this Broccoli Salad with Bacon, Almonds, and Orange. If you’re craving a soup and sandwich combo, check out Cream of Leek and Green Garlic Soup, Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup, or Cream of Jalapeño Soup, and wash it all down with this sima recipe for homemade soda!

Variations For This Pastrami and Corned Beef Sandwich

I know I’ve said it repeatedly, but once you try homemade pastrami or corned beef, it’s hard to return to the deli version. That said, if you’re craving a Copycat Firehouse Subs New York Steamer sub and don’t have time to make your meats, that’s okay! Go ahead and pick up what you need from the deli and enjoy.

Prefer mozzarella or Swiss cheese? Any mild cheese that will melt well can be used in place of the provolone. And if you don’t like spicy mustard, go ahead and use regular or Dijon instead!

Storage

Unfortunately, hot sandwiches don’t keep very well; this one is no exception. The bread will get soggy, the melted cheese will get gloopy, and it won’t be hot and fresh. That’s why I always recommend eating this one right out of the oven or off the Blackstone Griddle!

Honestly, it’s so easy to assemble this sandwich in a matter of minutes, and you wouldn’t save much time making it ahead anyway. Corned beef, pastrami, cheese, bread, spicy mustard, mayo, and Italian dressing all keep well in the fridge or pantry, so they can be ready to go any time.

Not sure you’ll finish a whole sandwich? Just cut the bread in half, store the half you aren’t using, and assemble a smaller sandwich for yourself. That way, you can enjoy the whole thing without worrying about any of it going to waste!