Description
This Slow Cooker Pastrami recipe transforms corned beef into tender, flavorful pastrami using a simple slow cooking method infused with spices, beer, and hickory smoke. Perfect for sandwiches with classic rye bread, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and thousand island dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 lbs. corned beef (flat cut)
- Spice packet that comes with the corned beef
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 3 Tbsp. brown sugar
- ½ tsp. ground black pepper
- 5 garlic cloves (peeled, but left whole)
- 12 oz. beer
- 3 cups water
- 1 tsp. hickory liquid smoke
For Serving
- Marble rye bread
- Thousand island dressing
- Swiss cheese
- Sauerkraut
Instructions
- Rinse the corned beef: Rinse the corned beef VERY well under cold water to remove excess saltiness from the curing brine, ensuring a balanced flavor.
- Place in slow cooker: Add the rinsed corned beef to the slow cooker, laying it flat to cook evenly.
- Add spices and garlic: Sprinkle the spice packet, onion powder, brown sugar, and ground black pepper over the corned beef. Place the peeled whole garlic cloves on top.
- Add liquids: Pour the beer, water, and hickory liquid smoke into the slow cooker around the beef, ensuring it remains mostly submerged for thorough cooking and flavor infusion.
- Cook low and slow: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours until the beef is tender and flavorful.
- Rest and slice: Remove the corned beef from the slow cooker onto a cutting board. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes to retain juices, then slice thinly.
- Assemble sandwiches: Use marble rye bread, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and thousand island dressing to make classic pastrami sandwiches with the sliced meat.
Notes
- Rinsing the corned beef reduces excess salt, but don’t skip the spice packet for authentic pastrami flavor.
- Using hickory liquid smoke adds a smokey depth similar to traditional smoked pastrami.
- The low and slow cooking method in the slow cooker makes the meat tender without drying it out.
- Allow the meat to rest before slicing to help juices redistribute for moist, flavorful slices.
- For a stronger smoky flavor, consider briefly searing the cooked pastrami slices in a hot skillet before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7-8 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American, Deli-style
Keywords: slow cooker pastrami, homemade pastrami, slow cooked corned beef, pastrami recipe, deli style pastrami
