Going to attempt corning/pastrami for the first time. Typically I let my brisket wet age for at least a month prior to smoking it, is it beneficial to age meat that is going to be cured for pastrami? Sorry if this has been discussed before, I didn't see it anywhere. Thanks
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Nah, not needed. That poor thing gets cured, then just about cooked twice. -
FWIW, I suspect wet-curing for a full month is unnecessary.
I make Montreal smoke meat, a similar product to pastrami, but dry-cured instead of wet (among other differences). Using a mix of spices, k-salt and #1, it dry-cures for 20 hrs per pound, and she's good to go- typically just under two weeks for a 14 pounder (practically speaking, the largest easily-accessible size available in the Toronto area, nowadays).
From my understanding, wet cures take less time than dry cures (something something osmosis something), so I'm wondering if a full month would be really necessary to get the results you need.
Not that there's anything wrong with going long, I imagine. Obviously you've done it before and it must work. Still, if I could get a cured meat product (and free up precious fridge space) in a week or two's time, instead of a month's time, I suspect I'd go for the latter!Comment
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After curing, if its going to be a while before you can smoke it, can the meat be frozen with no ill effects? Should it be desalinated first? Should I put the pastrami rub on before freezing, or wait til I thaw it for cooking, if there is even a reason to thaw it? Just curious, its about done in the cure, but work is going o keep me from smoking it for a while. Thanks.Comment
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I would desalinate, rub down, freeze, then go straight from the freezer to the pit.Comment
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