Author Topic: Pastrami question.  (Read 1203 times)

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Offline Sam3

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Pastrami question.
« Reply #-1 on: March 09, 2013, 02:23:44 PM »
Making some pastrami in the WSM today.
Do you pull at 165, wrap in foil and rest overnight before slicing?
Or crutch at 165 and bring it up to 195, then allow it to rest overnight? 

Thanks all!
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Offline Keymaster

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Re: Pastrami question.
« on: March 09, 2013, 02:33:55 PM »
Sure you already have this info from the Susan miner site but here you go:

1.   Air dry in the refrigerator for 4 to 8 hours, or overnight before before placing it in the smoker.
2.   Remove brisket from the refrigerator and place it on a tray, fat side up if using the Bradley or other electric smoker (fat side down if using a charcoal or propane cooker), and place in a pre-heated Bradley Smoker, at 220 degrees F. Apply 3 hours of smoke. I used 2 hours of pecan, and finished with 1 hour of apple. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 160 – 165 degrees F. You can also use a smoking temperature of 250 degrees F. You may also want to experiment with a lower internal temperature such as 155 degrees F. This will give you a moister texture, but it may be tougher so cut it as thin as you can.
When the brisket reaches an internal temperature of 160 – 165 degrees F, take it out of the smoker. Wrap the brisket in one layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil, and allow to rest. Once brisket is cool enough to handle, and remove the foil and save. Wrap brisket in plastic wrap, and then wrap it in the foil you just saved. Place in the refrigerator for at least 1 day, two is better. When ready to eat thin slice the pastrami across the grain for a tenderer slice. You can either eat it cold or warm it up.

Offline Sam3

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Pastrami question.
« Reply #1 on: March 09, 2013, 02:40:53 PM »
Thanks Aaron. I was reading a pastrami thread from a website I subscribe to. They were crutching and going to 195. I started second guessing myself.
I appreciate it buddy. Thread coming shortly.
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Offline DK117

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Re: Pastrami question.
« Reply #2 on: March 15, 2013, 01:53:45 PM »
is this definitive?  155 seems really low.  I've heard 165 185 200?  When do you pull pastrami?

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Offline Sam3

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Re: Pastrami question.
« Reply #3 on: March 15, 2013, 02:03:27 PM »
is this definitive?  155 seems really low.  I've heard 165 185 200?  When do you pull pastrami?

DK117

I pulled mine when it hit 162-165. It was perfect.
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Offline squirtthecat

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Re: Pastrami question.
« Reply #4 on: March 15, 2013, 02:10:16 PM »

I think if you took it to 195°, you'd end up with pulled pastrami.....

Offline Keymaster

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Re: Re: Pastrami question.
« Reply #5 on: March 15, 2013, 02:43:02 PM »
is this definitive?  155 seems really low.  I've heard 165 185 200?  When do you pull pastrami?

DK117
I  would pull at 165 because the collagen breaks down around 160-165 then foil for an hour. The 155 temp was if a person wanted to experiment but who likes tough juicy meat :)

Offline flbentrider

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Re: Pastrami question.
« Reply #6 on: March 15, 2013, 07:21:23 PM »
Pastrami is traditionally sliced thin, I use a deli slicer.

Taking it to 155-165 is all you need to achieve tenderness if you slice it thin.

Taking it to 195 will give you a traditional brisket texture. I'm not sure how well that will slice thin.

Offline Tinnmel

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Re: Pastrami question.
« Reply #7 on: March 15, 2013, 07:23:06 PM »
I just picked up a small corned beef brisket to try to make pastrami for the first time.  If it turns out alright, I'll get a larger one.

Offline Sam3

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Re: Pastrami question.
« Reply #8 on: March 15, 2013, 08:22:59 PM »
I just picked up a small corned beef brisket to try to make pastrami for the first time.  If it turns out alright, I'll get a larger one.

Good move. I did a 1.5 and 2.5 lb for my first go around, they came out really good. Next one will be a 4+lb'er.
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Offline flbentrider

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Re: Pastrami question.
« Reply #9 on: March 15, 2013, 08:53:26 PM »
I just picked up a small corned beef brisket to try to make pastrami for the first time.  If it turns out alright, I'll get a larger one.

Good move. I did a 1.5 and 2.5 lb for my first go around, they came out really good. Next one will be a 4+lb'er.

We usually do about 25lbs of flats at a time. It freezes well.

4lbs wouldn't last barely a meal in this house.