How to Make Sous Vide and Smoked East Coast Pastrami - A Step-by-Step Guide

Sous Vide and Smoked East Coast Pastrami

Pastrami is a beloved deli meat that has a rich history and a unique flavor profile. Traditionally, pastrami is made by curing and smoking beef brisket, resulting in a tender and flavorful meat that is perfect for sandwiches, charcuterie boards, and more. In this recipe, we will combine the modern technique of sous vide cooking with the traditional method of smoking to create a perfectly tender and flavorful East Coast pastrami that will wow ...

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Ingredients

  • 12 pounds beef brisket
  • 1 gallon water
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 1 ½ cups kosher salt
  • 10 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 4 teaspoons pink curing salt
  • 1 gallon ice cubes
  • 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
  • 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
  • 1 tablespoon mustard seeds
  • 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 2 bay leaves

Information

  • Prep Time: 30 mins
  • Cook Time: 23 hrs 10 mins
  • Additional Time: 5 days 45 mins
  • Total Time: 6 days 25 mins
  • Servings: 24

  • Trim off fat cap of brisket; poke some holes in meat with a paring knife.
  • Bring water to a boil in a large pot on the stovetop. Remove from heat; as it starts to cool down, add white sugar, kosher salt, garlic, and pink curing salt.
  • Find a food-grade, nonreactive container with a lid; pour in brine and ice, then add brisket. Keep brisket in brine for 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator. Flip brisket every 24 hours.
  • After brining, pull brisket out of the container and rinse under cold water.
  • Heat a pan over low heat. Toast coriander seeds, peppercorns, and mustard seeds in the hot pan, about 2 minutes. Remove and transfer to a food processor; add red pepper flakes, cloves, ginger, and bay leaves. Grind well.
  • Use 1/2 of the spice mixture to coat brisket; seal in a food saver bag. Reserve remaining spice mixture. Place brisket in a sous vide at 137 degrees F (58 degrees C) for 18 hours.
  • Remove from sous vide, cut open the bag, and brisket set out to dry and rest on a wire rack from a smoker for 30 minutes. Use remaining pickling spices to re-coat brisket.
  • Place a wire rack in the smoker. Add wood chips according to manufacturer's directions and heat to 225 degrees F (107 degrees C).
  • Smoke brisket until browned, tender, and no longer pink in the center, about 5 hours. Pull brisket from the smoker and let rest for 15 minutes before slicing.
  • Nutrition

    204 cal.

    • Total Fat: 5g
    • Saturated Fat: 2g
    • Cholesterol: 46mg
    • Sodium: 7340mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 20g
    • Dietary Fiber: 0g
    • Total Sugars: 17g
    • Protein: 20g
    • Vitamin C: 1mg
    • Calcium: 27mg
    • Iron: 3mg
    • Potassium: 400mg