Smoked Pastrami
7 hrs 15 mins - Prep 15 mins / Cook 7 hrs
Intermediate
The rich and peppery flavor of pastrami makes it a favorite at iconic New York delis. If you don’t happen to have a great local deli around the corner, you can make Smoked Pastrami at home. And we’d wager that yours will be even better; tender and juicy with that signature pastrami spice crust. Be sure to save some to try our Smoked Pastrami Sandwich recipe.
Ideally, pastrami is made using the beef navel or a brisket point, not the easiest cuts to find. And so, we used the brisket flat which is generally much more readily available in grocery stores. After curing the beef in a highly seasoned brine for several days, we applied a peppery rub and smoked the brisket. Before slicing, we finished it with the traditional steaming method.
20-25 Servings
Ingredients
Pastrami
- 7-pound USDA choice brisket flat, fat cap trimmed to 1/8 inch
- 6-7 apple wood chunks
- 2 tablespoons peanut or canola oil
- 1 cup beef stock in a spray bottle
Brine
- 1/2-gallon water
- 1 cup kosher salt
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 3 1/2 teaspoons pink curing salt
- 2 tablespoons coriander seed
- 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
- 1 tablespoon green peppercorns
- 1 tablespoon dried minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon dry mustard
- 2 teaspoons ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 3-4 bay leaves, crushed up
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 pounds ice or 2 quarts very cold water
Pastrami Rub
- 2 tablespoons coriander seed
- 1 tablespoon mustard seed
- 1/2 teaspoon fennel seed
- 12 tablespoons coarse ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried minced garlic
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