When you crave homemade pastrami you may sometimes wonder if you can make it from a chuck roast. Pastrami is undoubtedly a very relishing meal, it is typically made from beef brisket but occasionally people use lamb or turkey brisket instead.
One of the significant reasons why a lot of people would go for pastrami is its rich tasty, spicy and smoky flavor. Pastrami requires a little more dedication to make as the meat has to be sliced, dried and very seasoned before it is smoked to perfection.
Nonetheless, in a situation where you want to make pastrami but you only have a chuck roast at your disposal, it is only understandable to wonder if you can successfully prepare pastrami from a chuck roast.
Yes, you can make pastrami from a chuck roast. Although the taste and texture may not be the same as when you make use of brisket, pastrami can still be made from a chuck roast.
We know how important it is to get pastrami right, this is why we have put together this simple guide to help you get a hang of how to make pastrami from a chuck roast.
What Meat Is Pastrami Made From?
Pastrami is usually made from beef, turkey, or lamb brisket that is perfectly sliced thin, seasoned and smoked.
However, beef navel or brisket is commonly used to make pastrami, the ventral part of the plate is then cured in brine, and flavored with a lot of spices such as paprika, cloves, black pepper, garlic, coriander, and mustard seed.
The origin of pastrami traces back to Romania and has since been widespread across America. Pastrami is usually served as a side dish or as a sandwich filling. Nonetheless, pastrami has remained a favorite dish for its very tangy and delicious taste.
Can You Make Pastrami From Chuck Roast?
Absolutely, a chuck roast can be used to make pastrami. Although the traditional method of making pastrami is by making it from the beef navel or brisket, you can always improvise with a chuck roast.
However, another important point to have in mind is that while making pastrami from a chuck roast, you may not be able to achieve the perfect texture.
But not to worry, your pastrami will stunningly turn out to be just as delicious, tender, and juicy in as much as it is done right.
How To Prepare Pastrami From Chuck Roast
- Prep Time: 5-7 days
- Cook Time: 3 hours
While making pastrami from chuck roast you can still adopt the basic steps, this recipe is perfect for a small family and it is absolutely perfect, yummy, and juicy. That being said the following are the ingredients you’ll need;
- 2-3 pounds of chuck roast
- 1\2 cup of mixed pickling spice
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1\3 cup of kosher salt
- 1\3 cup of brown sugar
- BBQ spice
- 1\4 cup of curing salt
- Water
- Mustard.
Steps On How Tp MAke Chuck Roast Pastrami
The following are 10 easy steps you can take when making pastrami from chuck toast;
Step 1. Toast The Pickling Spice
Using a cast iron pan, toast pickling spice on low heat. Stir continuously for 3 minutes then add the cinnamon stick and stir for an additional 2 minutes.
Step 2. Prep The Pastrami Rub
After toasting the pickling spice, the next thing to do is add enough water necessary. Once that is done add the kosher salt, and brown sugar (in the quantity stated above).
Continue to stir till they are completely dissolved. Turn off the heat then add the curing salt to keep the chuck roast from spoiling during the brining process.
Step 3. Allow The Pastrami Rub To Cool
The brine or cured water has to cool off completely before you move to the next step.
Step 4. Brine The Chuck Toast
Place the chuck toast in an appropriately sized aluminum foil pan and pour in the brine. Ensure that the top of the chuck roast is covered with brine. Then seal the pan with saran wrap and foil paper.
Step 5. Store In The Refrigerator
Keep the sealed pan refrigerated for 5-7 days. If need be you can turn the chuck toast to the other side after two and a half days or three and a half days depending on how long you plan to cure the check toast.
Step 6. Get The Chuck Roast Out And Rinse
After five or seven days, you can get the chuck roast out of the brine and rinse it under cold running water. This is to get rid of the salt and sugar from the meat.
Step 7. Season The Chuck Roast
Rub mustard all over the sides of the chuck roast and then add your bbq sauce to all parts of the meat to give it a really nice color and flavor.
Step 8: Smoke The Chuck Roast
Place the seasoned meat in the heated smoker and leave it to smoke for about 3-6 hours until the texture on the outside looks like mahogany bark.
Step 9. Allow Rest And Slice
Once the chuck roast pastrami is done, you need to leave it to rest for about 30 minutes before perfectly slicing it.
Chuck Toast Pastrami Serving Suggestions
Chuck toast pastrami may not be the typical pastrami but it is very juicy and tasty. You can choose to serve it as a side dish or make a delicious pastrami sandwich.
For a very delicious pastrami sandwich, you’ll need bread, brown mustard, swiss cheese, and your thinly sliced chuck roast pastrami. You will definitely enjoy this goodness!
Conclusion
Making pastrami from chuck toast is very much possible. Although pastrami is typically made from briskets, chuck roast will also do the job.
So if you are craving a pastrami sandwich and you have some church roast in your freezer why don’t you try out our chuck roast pastrami recipe?
