Photo: Beef Pastrami Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons black peppercorns
- 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 6 bay leaves, crumbled
- 2 teaspoons whole cloves
- 1/4 cup minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons whole juniper berries, plus 1/3 cup crushed juniper berries
- 16 cups (or 4 quarts) water
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 3/4 cup kosher salt
- 1 (4 to 5 pound) beef brisket
- 2/3 cup coarsely ground black pepper
Directions
In a small mixing bowl, combine the peppercorns, thyme, bay leaves, cloves, garlic, and whole juniper berries. In a saucepan, over medium heat, combine the water, brown sugar and salt. Bring to a boil and stir to dissolve the sugar and salt. Remove from the heat and add dry spice mixture and steep for 1 hour. Place the brisket in a glass or plastic container. Pour the seasoned brine to cover the brisket completely. Cover and refrigerate for 3 weeks, turning the brisket every couple of days.
Preheat the smoker according to the manufacturer's directions.
Remove the brisket from the marinade, and pat dry. Discard the marinade. Combine the remaining 1/3 cup crushed juniper berries and ground black pepper in a small bowl. Using the palm and heel of your hand, press 2/3 of the berry and pepper mixture into the brisket. Press the remaining mixture into the other side. Place the brisket in the smoker and smoke for about 4 hours. Remove from the smoker and cool for 30 minutes. Remove from the pan and cool completely. Slice into thin slices and serve.
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By CaroleSClark
on September 09, 2012
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This is not like the pastrami I used to eat and love in Austin but it has a taste all it's own. Now that I've had a couple of Reuben paninis, I think it might even be better. This is beyond tender.
By jeff-n-rochelle...
Sandy, 84
on October 05, 2011
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I have not finished this dish but I have two thoughts on preventing the slimy meat or off odor. First of all, this recipe fails to describe two problems boiling the water cures and that is bacteria in the water and preventing possible botulism from the fresh garlic. Immediately add the dry ingredients/garlic after the water boils and the salt/sugar dissolves. It is ok that it is taken off the heat a allowed to steep. The second is preparation of the curing container, it should be washed in soapy water with 1/4 tsp of bleach added, rinsed well, and air dried. I wished a had just picked up the extra big ziplock bag to eliminate this step. Food grade (throwaway gloves should be used if you are turning by hand. I'll let you know how this turns out.
By Katak
Toluca Lake
on September 21, 2011
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My husband loves pastrami and decided to try this recipe, it's still in the smoker as we speak. Although, I am worried because when I pulled the meat out of the brine (3 weeks later it was rather "slimy". I went ahead and put it in the smoker anyway. I checked it a few minutes ago and cut a tiny piece from the end tip and the meat was slightly sour to my taste. Does this mean it went bad in the fridge? Was that the cause of the sliminess? I have yet to boil it stove top for another 30 minutes, hopefully that washes/ boils away the sour-like taste. Fingers crossed, but overall it's looking good and the house smells like pastrami already... 3.5 hours in!
Read all 18 reviews