Traeger Kitchen
Smoked Beef Pastrami
Prep Time
30
Minutes
Cook Time
8
Hours
Serves
8 - 12
People
Effort
What's this?
Pastrami may be devoured in a fraction of the time it takes to cure and smoke a beef brisket, but after one bite of homemade pastrami, you’ll agree that the wait was worth it.
Ingredients
6 Quart water
1 Cup kosher salt
3/4 Cup granulated sugar
2/3 Cup light brown sugar
3 Tablespoon pink salt or other curing salt
1 Tablespoon pickling spice
1 Teaspoon yellow mustard seeds
8 Clove garlic, crushed
1 (7 lb) flat cut beef brisket, fat cap trimmed to 1/3 inch
1/4 Cup whole black peppercorns
2 Tablespoon coriander seeds
Steps
1
In a large pot, combine 6 quarts water with the kosher salt, granulated and brown sugars, pink salt, pickling spice, mustard seeds and garlic. Simmer over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until the salts and sugars have dissolved. Pour the brine into a large bowl and let cool. Refrigerate until chilled.2
Using a metal skewer, poke holes all over the brisket. Pour the brine into a large roasting pan. Add the brisket and cover the pan with plastic wrap. Weigh the brisket down with heavy plates to keep it submerged in the brine and refrigerate. Let the brisket cure for 5 days, turning it once a day.3
Remove the brisket from the brine and pat dry with paper towels. Place the brisket fat side up on a rack set on a rimmed baking sheet. Refrigerate uncovered for 24 hours.4
Remove from fridge and bring the brisket to room temperature.5
When ready to cook, set Traeger temperature to 225°F and preheat, lid closed for 15 minutes.6
In a spice grinder, coarsely grind the peppercorns with the coriander seeds. Cover the fat side of the brisket with the peppercorn-coriander mixture.7
Place the brisket directly on the grill grate, spiced side up, in the center. Close lid and smoke at 225° F until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part registers an internal temperature of 160° F (about 3 to 4 hours).8
Remove from grill and wrap in foil making sure to seal very well. Place back on grill and continue cooking for another 3 to 4 hours or until a thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the meat registers an internal temperature of 204° F.9
Remove from grill and rest in foil for at least 30 minutes before slicing. If you want cold pastrami, allow to cool completely, refrigerate until chilled and then slice. Enjoy!