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Smoked Pastrami Sandwich

Smoked Pastrami Sandwich

By Timothy Hollingsworth

Super smoked pastrami. Need we say more? This brined brisket is wrapped with some super smokin' flavor, sliced thin and loaded on rye with a creamy, homemade thousand island dressing.

Prep Time

45 Min

Cook Time

9 Hr

Pellets

Hickory
Yields: 8 Servings

Ingredients

Brine
2 Cupbrown sugar
1/2 TeaspoonPink curing salt (optional)
1 1/2 Tablespoonpink peppercorns
1 1/2 Tablespoonmustard seeds
1 Wholebay leaf
1 Tablespooncloves
1 Tablespoonred pepper flakes
2 Stickcinnamon
3 Tablespoonfennel seed
3 TablespoonBlack peppercorns
main
5 Poundbrisket
1 Wholeloaf sliced rye bread
1 Cupthousand island dressing
1 Headiceberg lettuce, shredded
1 Mediumred onion, thinly sliced
Rub
2/3 Cupbrown sugar
2/3 Cupkosher salt
2/3 Cupblack pepper
1/2 Cupground coriander
1/2 Tablespoonred pepper flakes
1 Tablespoonground juniper berries
Units of Measurement:

Steps

  • Step 1

    Plan ahead! This recipe requires brining for 3 days and refrigeration overnight.

  • Step 2

    To Make the Brine: Bring 3 liters of water, sugar and salt to a boil. Simmer until salt and sugar are dissolved. Remove from heat and add remaining brine ingredients. Let the brine cool completely.

    Ingredients
    • 2 Cup brown sugar

    • 1/2 Teaspoon Pink curing salt (optional)

    • 1 1/2 Tablespoon pink peppercorns

    • 1 1/2 Tablespoon mustard seeds

    • 1 Whole bay leaf

    • 1 Tablespoon cloves

    • 1 Tablespoon red pepper flakes

    • 2 Stick cinnamon

    • 3 Tablespoon fennel seed

    • 3 Tablespoon Black peppercorns

  • Step 3

    Place the brisket in a nonreactive container deep enough to hold the brisket and brine. Inject brisket all over with brine then pour remaining brine over brisket making sure it is fully submerged. Place in the refrigerator for 3 days.

    Ingredients
    • 5 Pound brisket

  • Step 4

    Remove brisket from brine and pat dry. Combine rub ingredients and rub over brisket.

    Ingredients
    • 2/3 Cup brown sugar

    • 2/3 Cup kosher salt

    • 2/3 Cup black pepper

    • 1/2 Cup ground coriander

    • 1/2 Tablespoon red pepper flakes

    • 1 Tablespoon ground juniper berries

  • Step 5

    When ready to cook, set Traeger temperature to 180℉ and preheat, lid closed for 15 minutes. For optimal flavor, use Super Smoke if available.

    180 ˚F / 82 ˚C

    Super Smoke

  • Step 6

    Place the brisket directly on the grill grate and smoke for 6 hours.

    06:00

    180 ˚F / 82 ˚C

    Super Smoke

  • Step 7

    Increase the Traeger temperature to 300℉ and cook for 3 more hours.

    03:00

    300 ˚F / 149 ˚C

  • Step 8

    Wrap the brisket in foil and continue to cook until meat reaches an internal temperature of 195℉.

    180 ˚F / 82 ˚C

    195 ˚F / 91 ˚C

    Super Smoke

  • Step 9

    Remove brisket from the Traeger and vent the foil allowing steam to escape to stop cooking.

  • Step 10

    Cool in the refrigerator overnight.

  • Step 11

    The next day, slice pastrami into 1/8 inch slices against the grain.

  • Step 12

    To Build the Sandwich: layer rye bread, Thousand Island dressing, iceberg, red onion and pastrami. Enjoy!

    Ingredients
    • 1 Whole loaf sliced rye bread

    • 1 Cup thousand island dressing

    • 1 Head iceberg lettuce, shredded

    • 1 Medium red onion, thinly sliced

My Notes


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