How to Make Pastrami on a Pellet Smoker with Simple Steps

By Avi Green June 23, 2024

For kitchen professionals who take pride in crafting impeccable dishes, learning how to make pastrami on a pellet smoker elevates traditional dining experiences to something extraordinary. Whether you're preparing this flavorful masterpiece for a restaurant setting, a foodie event, or your home barbecue, using a pellet smoker is an unbeatable method to infuse authentic smoky flavor into every slice.

What is Pastrami and Why Use a Pellet Smoker?

Pastrami, an iconic smoked and seasoned beef dish, is cherished globally for its rich flavors and tender texture. While many methods exist to smoke pastrami, a pellet smoker offers unparalleled consistency and precision. Pellet smokers allow professionals the ability to manage temperature with ease, ensuring your pastrami is both juicy and smoked to perfection.

Curious about perfecting other smoked meats? Check out the guide here for enhancing your smoker technique.

Key Ingredients for Pastrami

To create authentic pastrami, youll need the following ingredients:

Beef Brisket: The most common cut, offering the ideal combination of fat and lean meat for moisture and flavor.
Curing Salt: Essential for preserving the meats texture and ensuring the distinct pastrami taste.
Seasoning Rub: Traditional mixtures include black pepper, coriander, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
Wood Pellets: Choose pellets like hickory or oak, which are perfect for the deep, smoky flavor required by pastrami.

Preparing the Brisket for Your Pastrami

The journey of how to make pastrami on a pellet smoker starts with proper preparation. Follow these steps carefully:

1. Curing the Beef

Start by preparing your curing mixture. Combine curing salt, garlic powder, ground coriander, smoked paprika, and dark brown sugar. Rub this mixture generously onto the beef brisket. Once completely covered, place the brisket in a vacuum-sealed bag or airtight container. Refrigerate for 5-7 days, allowing the curing solution to fully penetrate the meat.

If you're interested in refining larger pieces of meat on smokers, learn how long you smoke meats properly.

2. Soak and Season

After the curing process, rinse the brisket thoroughly under cold water. This removes excess salt and balances the flavor. Pat dry and apply a seasoning rub mixture based on your recipe preferences. Allow the seasoned brisket to absorb flavor for at least 24 hours in the fridge.

Setting Up Your Pellet Smoker

Before diving into the smoking process itself, you need to ensure your pellet smoker is properly configured:

1. Preheat the Smoker

Heat your pellet smoker to 225F. At this temperature, you'll achieve a slow, even cook and allow the smoky flavor to penetrate the meat seamlessly.

Need help mastering pellet smoker temperature? Visit this detailed guide on how to use a pellet grill.

2. Choose the Right Pellets

Hickory wood pellets are often preferred for pastrami due to their robust flavor, though applewood or maple pellets can also offer a sweeter profile for experimentation. Consider adjusting based on personal or client taste preferences.

The Smoking Process

Now comes the core step of how to make pastrami on a pellet smokerthe smoking process:

1. Place the Brisket

Place the brisket flat on the smoker rack, ensuring there's enough room for even heat circulation. Closing the lid tightly ensures no smoke escapes.

2. Smoke Continuously

Leave the brisket on the grates for 6-8 hours, maintaining a consistent cooking temperature. Use a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature, aiming to pull the brisket off at 195F for perfect tenderness.

Resting and Slicing

The resting stage is as critical as the smoking process. Remove the brisket from the smoker and wrap it in aluminum foil. Let it rest for at least 30-60 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute for maximum flavor.

Once rested, slice the brisket thinly against the grain using a sharp knife. Enjoy your expertly crafted pastrami!

Perfect Presentation Tips

For kitchen professionals, presentation is as important as flavor. Serve pastrami alongside rye bread, mustard, and pickles for a classic deli-style experience. Alternatively, get creative with pasta dishes, sliders, or charcuterie boards.

For other smoker recipes and added tips, visit Pellet Grill Tips.