• Enter the TVWB 27th Anniversary Prize Drawing for a chance to win a Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill! Click here to enter!

Turkey Pastrami questions


 

Jon Des.

TVWBB Gold Member
As the title implies, I'm not quite sick of turkey yet and I've been considering making a turkey pastrami and have a few questions.

1. I noticed that neither Chris' recipe or the one from the Raichlen book call for any MTQ or Prague Powder, etc. I can see that it wouldn't be necessary to cure the meat, but is it going to be noticably absent in terms of flavor?

2. What cut of meat? I have a couple hotel style bone-in turkey breasts in the freezer, as well as a few turkey tenderloins.

3. What is the traditional smoke wood for pastrami? Or is there such a thing?

Thanks for your help!
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">3. What is the traditional smoke wood for pastrami? Or is there such a thing?

Thanks for your help! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I signed on to ask the exact same question.
 
I just made mine following Raichlen's recipe and used maple for smoke. Smells just like the real thing. I'll post it in the photo gallery when I get a chance.
 
that recipie looks great.

Im new to curing myself. so its ok without the pink salt? this is going to be next on the list.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Yianni:
that recipie looks great.

Im new to curing myself. so its ok without the pink salt? this is going to be next on the list. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I did not use any pink salt, but it makes sense now that I've gone through the process. No need for nitrates when you are basically just dry-brining in the fridge overnight and then cooking (hot smoking) for 2-3 hours. Mine came out great.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Jon Des.:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Yianni:
that recipie looks great.

Im new to curing myself. so its ok without the pink salt? this is going to be next on the list. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I did not use any pink salt, but it makes sense now that I've gone through the process. No need for nitrates when you are basically just dry-brining in the fridge overnight and then cooking (hot smoking) for 2-3 hours. Mine came out great. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

So it is safe to do this without the pink salt, you know the week brine? Would it effect the taste very much?

I want to make some for an upcomming snowmobile trip for sandwhiches. just dont want to get people sick..

Im going to do a test run very soon...
 

 

Back
Top