Easy Homemade Pastrami

Homemade pastrami might sound intimidating, but trust us: It's actually much easier than it seems! This pastrami recipe produces flavorful, melt-in-your mouth, deli-worthy slices every time.

What Is Pastrami?

Pastrami is a type of deli meat made from beef brisket. It originated in Romania as a way to preserve meat before the invention of the refrigerator. It's commonly associated with Romanian and Jewish American cuisines.

How to Make Pastrami

You'll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the recipe below, but let's go over the basics:

What Is Pastrami Made Of?

These are the ingredients you'll need to make pastrami at home:

· Corned beef brisket: This pastrami recipe starts with four pounds of corned beef brisket. If your brisket weighs more or less than that, you'll need to adjust the recipe.· Vegetable oil and garlic: Before you season the meat, you'll coat the brisket with homemade garlic oil. This ensures a flavorful and moist finished product.· Spices: This pastrami is seasoned with ground black pepper, smoked paprika, ground coriander, dry mustard, ground white pepper, and cayenne pepper.

How to Make Homemade Pastrami

Here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make this pastrami recipe:

· Prepare the brisket: Make the garlic oil. Make the spice blend. Coat the brisket in oil, then season. Reserve a couple tablespoons of the blend.· Cook and let rest: Wrap the brisket in multiple layers of foil. Bake it in the preheated oven for six hours, then let it cool to room temperature in the foil. Let it rest in the refrigerator overnight.· Broil and slice: Unwrap the pastrami and season it with the reserved spice blend. Broil it until the surface browns, then cut into slices. Warm the slices in a skillet until the fat is translucent.

What to Do With Pastrami

Chef John suggests serving the pastrami slices on rye bread with mustard and a pickle. Here are few other mouthwatering ideas for using your homemade pastrami:

· Pastrami Reuben Sandwich· Pickle Rollups· Reuben Pinwheels

How to Store Pastrami

Store the pastrami slices tightly wrapped in foil or in a shallow, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. You can freeze pastrami for up to six months.

Cookdap Community Tips and Praise

“It’s not easy to find good New York-style pastrami anywhere outside of the city, let alone find a recipe to make it,” says Peggy Spry Mislock. “This is the closest thing I’ve found.”

“What a wonderful recipe and totally worth it,” raves LYNNINMA. “I shaved mine (I borrowed a slicer from my cousin, the caterer) and made sandwiches with provolone in pita pockets.”

“The secret is slicing it very thin,” according to MissRita67. “We had it with Swiss cheese, pickles, and a good deli mustard. A wonderful treat to make!”