First Pastrami

TexasCurt

Several local BBQ restaurants have gotten into pastrami lately, so i decided to give it a shot.   I started with a 12lb packer brisket from Costco.  Separated the flat and point, and trimmed most of the fat.  I used Alton Brown’s corned beef recipe for the brine/cure... the only difference being i subbed Prague Powder instead of saltpeter.  I then used the AmazingRibs.com pastrami recipe for the rub.  The AR instructions said to cook at 225 until the stall (150-160) then remove, refrigerate, and steam later.  I went ahead and cooked like a normal brisket to 190 IT.  It turned out pretty good. I think I’ll play with the rub recipe a little bit next time but everyone liked it.   I made some Ruben sandwiches piled up with the pastrami, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and deli mustard (should have done Russian dressing but i didn’t have the ingredients) all on fresh rye and grilled in pan.   I meant to take some pics of the sandwiches but the mouths couldn’t wait!

MeTed

Looks fantastic! Great inspiration. Thanks for posting,I will be trying this very soon.

CarolinaCrazy

Man, that looks awesome! Gimme some of that on Rye with spicy mustard!

JohnInCarolina

My mouth is watering right now and I'm a couple hours away from lunch! 

Cookbook_Chip

March is pastrami month!  That looks awesome!

Ladeback69

Awesome job.   usually just cheat and take a packaged corn beef, soak it in water for a few days, put on a good pastrami rub and cook it like a brisket.  I will be doing two for St Pat's day in a few weeks. 

XC242

blind99

that is some awesome looking pastrami - looks really tender, and nice amount of fat strip and marbling.  bet it was great!

Skrullb

Looks great. I’ve been struggling with the bark on mine lately. The first few I did had a good dark bark like yours but recently I haven’t gotten it. Did you wrap at all?

TexasCurt

Skrullb said:

Looks great. I’ve been struggling with the bark on mine lately. The first few I did had a good dark bark like yours but recently I haven’t gotten it. Did you wrap at all?

No wrap.  I never wrap brisket, either. 

Skrullb

Hmmm. Ok. I usually wrap the  pastrami at around 180 just to try and hold some moisture, and skip the steaming process. I’m sure that’s where my bark is coming undone. Just funny that the first ones were great, following the same process 

CigarCityEgger

Great looking pastrami, I’m gonna be trying this next week

Cochon_Couyon

Very nice. I don't wrap mine and just let them go till they probe like butter (200-205). I place in a foil pan and return to fridge after smoking till the next day, then cut off the size chunk i need and put it under pressure in an Instantpot  for 40 minutes-slice and serve.

TexasCurt

Cochon_Couyon said:

Very nice. I don't wrap mine and just let them go till they probe like butter (200-205). I place in a foil pan and return to fridge after smoking till the next day, then cut off the size chunk i need and put it under pressure in an Instantpot  for 40 minutes-slice and serve.

I may try that next time.  Do you separate the flat and the point?  Or smoke it whole?  I was concerned that doing it whole would not allow the curing agents to reach the middle.   I think it would remain more moist if i left it whole and trimmed less fat.  

YukonRon

That looks top notch, and is something I need to do. Thank you for sharing.

Cochon_Couyon

TexasCurt said:

show previous quotes

Cochon_Couyon said:

Very nice. I don't wrap mine and just let them go till they probe like butter (200-205). I place in a foil pan and return to fridge after smoking till the next day, then cut off the size chunk i need and put it under pressure in an Instantpot  for 40 minutes-slice and serve.

I may try that next time.  Do you separate the flat and the point?  Or smoke it whole?  I was concerned that doing it whole would not allow the curing agents to reach the middle.   I think it would remain more moist if i left it whole and trimmed less fat.  

I cheat and buy the pre-cured ones at Costco that are pre-seperated and packaged. I just get the best of each end in the pile and soak them in water for 2 days, pouring off the water every 12 hours. Then I season it (FRESH cracked coriander is key) and refrigerate for a day-then smoke-then pressure steam the next day. Terrible pic but the only one I have