The Best Pastrami Rub Recipe

With this pastrami rub you can make wonderful pastrami just like in the deli, well better actually.

This is what I would describe as a traditional pastrami rub recipe and what I mean by that is that pastrami has been globalized and dependent on local tastes the seasoning mix can vary markedly. This recipes is close to the pastrami that you find in a downtown deli anywhere in Europe or North America.

The rub contains the basic elements and note that I've included a very small amount of salt petre. This is sodium nitrate, the color fixer. In other words it's this substance that turns the meat that pinky color (and the same stuff that gets used in hams and some sausages).

I've put a 16th of a teaspoon as the measure, a pretty difficult measure. The tip of the teaspoon is probably a good enough estimate but if you're planning on making a lot of pastrami or want to make up more of the rub to use at a later date multiplying up the ingredients is a good way to getting the right amount of salt petre.

Note in the picture above how I've used the cans of soda just to add some weight during the cure, this is just to make sure that everything stays compact and as much of the rub as possible remains in contact with the meat.

There's enough rub here to do about 1lb of beef.

Preparation Time:- 15 mins
Marinade Time:- 6 days
Cooking Time:- 5 hours

Total Time:- 7 days

Ingredients:-

• 1 tablespoon non iodized salt
• 1/16th teaspoon salt petre
• 2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 teaspoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon allspice
• ½ teaspoon powdered ginger
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 2 teaspoon dried coriander

Method:-

Just mix thoroughly and your rub is ready to use.

Place your beef in a bag with the rub and shake well. You now need to refrigerate and allow the rub to work its magic over 6 days before finally smoking

The full pastrami recipe can be found using the links below and any rub remaining unused can be stored in an air-tight jar for a later day.

Hot Smoked Pastrami Recipe
Making Pastrami (Cold Smoked) Stage 1
Cooking Homemade Pastrami (Stage 2)
What Is Pastrami?
Smoked Brisket Recipes

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