Venison Pastrami Recipe - How to Make Venison Pastrami (2024)

Home | Wild Game | Venison | Venison Pastrami

5 from 56 votes

By Hank Shaw

January 21, 2019 | Updated August 26, 2020

Comment

Jump to Recipe

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Venison Pastrami Recipe - How to Make Venison Pastrami (2)

Venison pastrami is one of the great things to do with hind leg roasts.

If you’re not familiar with pastrami, or just know it as some random lunch meat, it’s cured, smoked, spiced meat, usually beef, that is often steamed before slicing. We owe our love of pastrami to Eastern European Jews — pastrami sandwiches are always best eaten from Jewish delis — and variants of this meat exists all over that part of the world.

Here in California’s Central Valley, where I live, our local Armenian population enjoys basturma, it’s own version of pastrami. I’ve long made goose pastrami, which was a favorite of Romanian Jewish people back in the 1800s. I like it with Canada goose breasts.

I highly recommend that you use a single-muscle roast, ideally from the hind leg, or even backstrap for this recipe, as this is a lean, smoked meat that you’ll end up slicing thin and serving in a sandwich.

Venison Pastrami Recipe - How to Make Venison Pastrami (3)

If you use larger cuts, you will have silverskin or connective tissue in your roast that will not soften when you eat it. But that’s where the steaming comes in. I rarely do this, but here’s how to steam pastrami if you need to:

  • Preheat your oven to 275°F.
  • Set a big roasting pan in the oven and pour boiling water in it so the water is about 1 inch deep.
  • Put a rack in the pan to keep the pastrami elevated over the water level.
  • Ideally you cover this whole shebang with foil to keep the steam in, but you can also just keep the oven closed. It’ll work.
  • Insert a thermometer into the thickest part of your pastrami and pull it when it reaches 165°F. Let the meat rest 30 minutes, still covered, before slicing.

Salt content varies. I like my pastrami on the salty side, because it’s served cold and the human perception of salt is limited with cold foods. I have taken to using a set amount of salt based on the weight of the meat. I like 2 percent, so 20 grams in a 1000 gram roast. Don’t go lower than 1 percent, or higher than 3 percent.

A word on the curing salt. The 3 grams I call for will actually be enough to cure up to about 3 pounds of venison. A general rule is to use 0.25% Instacure based off the weight of the meat, so a 1000 gram roast would use 2.5 grams of Instacure. Do not use much more than I call for, though. If you used 3 grams in this case, it’d be fine, but don’t accidentally use, say, 6 grams.

Keep an eye on your venison’s internal temperature when you are smoking it. A piece of backstrap can be ready in 90 minutes in a hot smoker, which to my mind isn’t enough time on the smoke. Try to keep your smoker at 200°F or cooler; I like to keep it at 165°F, which lets me smoke the meat for a solid 3 to 4 hours.

What wood? Your choice. I prefer oak, maple or hickory for this, followed by walnut, pecan or cherry.

Once you make your venison pastrami, it will need to be eaten within a week or two, or you’ll need to vacuum seal and freeze it.

5 from 56 votes

Venison Pastrami

This recipe can be scaled up if you need to. Remember the salt and cure ratio is this: 2% of the weight of the meat in kosher salt, plus 0.25% - that's one-quarter of one percent - of the weight of the meat in curing salt No. 1. Can you skip the curing salt? Yes, but it won't look or taste like store-bought pastrami.

Save RecipePin RecipePrint Recipe

Course: Cured Meat

Cuisine: American

Servings: 2 pounds

Author: Hank Shaw

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours hours

Total Time: 4 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • A venison roast, hind leg or backstrap
  • Kosher salt (see recipe notes)
  • Instacure No. 1 (see recipe notes)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon celery seed
  • 1/4 teaspoon caraway seed
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed juniper (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon groundblack pepper, plus 3 tablespoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup brandy, red wine, vinegar or water
  • 3 tablespoons coarsely ground coriander

Instructions

  • Weigh your venison.

    For every pound of meat, you’ll need 10 grams of kosher salt and about 1.5 grams curing salt. Mix the salt, curing salt, sugar as well as the thyme, celery seed, caraway, juniper and the teaspoon of black pepper and grind them all together in a spice grinder. Pack the venison with this mixture, massaging it into the meat. Vacuum seal or put the meat into a Ziploc bag or closed container and set it in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. A general rule is 2 days per pound of meat. If you’re unsure, leave the meat in one more day than you think you need to. This salt ratio will prevent the meat from getting overly salty.

  • Rinse the cure off the venison and pat it dry. It’s fine if you have a little bit of the curestuck to the meat, but you don’t want too much. Put the venison on a rack in the fridge and let it dry uncovered for up to a day.

  • Dip the meat into the brandy — or really any other liquid you want — and then coat thoroughly in the 3 tablespoons of remaining black pepper and ground coriander seed. I like to grind this myself so the texture is a little coarse, a little fine. Press it into the meat well.

  • Smoke the venison at about 165°F to 200°F until the interior hits 145°F, which takes me about 3 hours. Let the pastrami cool and eat as lunch meat, or on crackers or whatever.

Nutrition

Calories: 106kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 95mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe? Tag me today!Mention @huntgathercook or tag #hankshaw!

Categorized as:
American Recipes, Featured, Recipe, Venison, Wild Game

You May Also Like

American Recipes

Sauerkraut Casserole

An easy-to-make casserole or hotdish, sauerkraut casserole is basically German lasagna: Sauerkraut, venison or beef, noodles and cheese. What’s not to love?

Pasta, Risotto, Gnocchi

Venison Risotto

Yes, you can make risotto with red meat. This venison risotto is a riff of a beef risotto dish from northern Italy. It’s essentially a venison rice porridge, loose and rich. Serve it in a bowl.

American Recipes

Tater Tot Hotdish

A classic Minnesota tater tot hotdish with options to make the mushroom soup from scratch. This is a venison hotdish, but any meat works.

British

Scottish Powsowdie

A recipe for the hearty Scottish stew powsowdie, traditionally made with a sheep or deer head, but which works well with other cuts of meat.

About Hank Shaw

Hey there. Welcome to Hunter Angler Gardener Cook, the internet’s largest source of recipes and know-how for wild foods. I am a chef, author, and yes, hunter, angler, gardener, forager and cook. Follow me on Instagram and on Facebook.

Read More About Me

Venison Pastrami Recipe - How to Make Venison Pastrami (2024)

FAQs

How do they make pastrami? ›

Pastrami is made from beef brisket that has been cured, coated in spices, cold smoked and then steamed. Pastrami's thick coat of spices typically includes crushed black pepper, coriander, mustard seeds, garlic and other spices that might be included in a pickling spice mixture.

How to make deli meat out of venison? ›

Cook in Smoker for about 2 hours at 150ºF, then increase to 170ºF for 2 hours, then 190º-225ºF until internal temperature of 145ºF is reached. Remove from Smoker and refrigerate overnight. Once cooled down, remove strings and slice at desired thickness.

What is the best cut of meat for pastrami? ›

While plenty of pastrami is made with any cut of beef brisket, aficionados will tell you that the real deal comes specifically from the navel end. Navel is particularly fatty and stands up well to the long cooking to come; save the rest of the brisket for corned beef.

What is a good binder for pastrami? ›

Coat the brisket in a thin layer of mustard to use as a binder. Season the brisket generously on all sides with the pastrami rub.

Why do Jews eat pastrami? ›

Romanian Jews emigrated to New York as early as 1872. Among Jewish Romanians, goose breasts were commonly made into pastrami because they were available. Beef navel was cheaper than goose meat in America, so the Romanian Jews in America adapted their recipe and began to make the cheaper-alternative beef pastrami.

How long does it take to cure pastrami? ›

Place the container in the fridge. I recommend curing at least 6 days but you can go as much as 10-12 days if you want or need to.

How do you keep deer meat from falling apart? ›

  1. Add Fat: Since venison is lean, you can add some fat to the mixture to improve moisture and binding. ...
  2. Egg as a Binder: Adding beaten eggs to the mixture can act as a binder. ...
  3. Breadcrumbs or Oats: Incorporate breadcrumbs or rolled oats into the mixture.
Feb 19, 2021

Why you shouldn't soak deer meat? ›

Putting the meat in water allows bacteria (primarily E. coli) to grow and spread over the entire carcass. It also removes all of the flavor from the meat. Imagine eating a good ribeye after soaking it in water for a week.

What do you soak deer meat in before cooking? ›

Soaking: The most common soaking liquids are buttermilk, saltwater, white milk, vinegar, lemon juice and lime juice. While some hunters swear by certain soaking methods to take the “gamey” flavor away or bleed the meat after processing, others don't find it all that helpful.

What gives pastrami its flavor? ›

Pastrami is made from beef, usually brisket, that is wet-cured in a brine, then highly seasoned with a rub consisting mainly of black pepper and coriander, then smoked for flavor, and steamed to finish.

Should pastrami be thick or thin? ›

The result is a hopelessly rich cut of meat with a complex and distinctive flavor, in which smoky notes compete with the sweetness of the spices and the saltiness of the brine. Pastrami in its ideal form is fatty, pink, and thickly hand-sliced.

How long does homemade pastrami last? ›

Store the pastrami slices tightly wrapped in foil or in a shallow, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. You can freeze pastrami for up to six months.

Do you put mayo on pastrami? ›

Add mayonnaise to both pieces of bread, then add mustard to one half. Place half the pastrami on one slice and the other half on the other slice. Add sauerkraut to one half and flip the other slice on top.

Do you need pink salt for pastrami? ›

The nitrates in pastrami come from pink curing salt, which contains a little over 6% sodium nitrite, and the rest is regular table salt. If you're looking to avoid nitrates or refined sugar, or if you simply enjoy curing meat at home, this nitrate-free pastrami recipe is for you!

How do you keep pastrami moist? ›

Most of these methods involve using water as a moisture agent, so make sure to drain the Pastrami well after heating to avoid soaking the bread. Method #1: Place the Pastrami in a piece of heavy duty foil, add a little water, and fold it over and seal it well.

What part of the cow is the pastrami? ›

While corned beef is typically made from brisket, pastrami generally comes from the cow's navel area, Serious Eats reports. The navel cut is a fatty one, and it's also likely to stand up well to pastrami's long cooking process.

Is pastrami considered a Processed Meat? ›

AICR/WCRF expert report defines processed meat as “meat preserved by smoking, curing or salting, or addition of chemical preservatives.” Ham, bacon, pastrami, sausages, hot dogs and luncheon meats are all considered processed meat. It's not yet clear exactly why these meats increase risk for colorectal cancer.

Is pastrami just smoked corned beef? ›

The main difference between corned beef and pastrami is the way they're cut and processed. Plus, after cutting and curing, corned beef is boiled, whereas pastrami is smoked and steamed. Whether you have a taste for Corned Beef or Pastrami, you will find an expansive list of items on the Brent's Deli menu.

What is a pastrami sandwich made of? ›

Simmer pastrami in broth until hot. Divide meat among bread, using 4 ounces for smaller sandwich, and 8 ounces for large. Add cheese, mustard, pickles, and onions to taste. Grill sandwich until toasty and crisp if desired.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Edwin Metz

Last Updated:

Views: 5795

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (78 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Edwin Metz

Birthday: 1997-04-16

Address: 51593 Leanne Light, Kuphalmouth, DE 50012-5183

Phone: +639107620957

Job: Corporate Banking Technician

Hobby: Reading, scrapbook, role-playing games, Fishing, Fishing, Scuba diving, Beekeeping

Introduction: My name is Edwin Metz, I am a fair, energetic, helpful, brave, outstanding, nice, helpful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.