Can You Smoke Corned Beef on a Pellet Grill

A common question when buying corned beef at your local grocery store is can you smoke store-bought corned beef? 

Yes! You absolutely can smoke the corned beef you purchased. This is a great option for adding a smoky flavor to your meat. You can smoke the pre-cured corned beef sold at your local supermarket. You can also smoke unseasoned brisket, then cure and smoke it yourself. 

There are a lot of questions about how to smoke corned beef, what does it taste like, what temperature to cook it to, and so much more. 

What is Smoked Corned Beef Called?

Smoked corned beef is simply called Pastrami. When you buy corned beef, it’s easy to make pastrami. Not many people will make their own corned beef since you need to let it cure for 3 weeks. 

It’s typically seasoned with ground coriander and black pepper. I suggested experimenting with some other seasonings once you’ve tried the basics.   

How Do You Smoke Store-Bought Corned Beef?

To simply put it, begin by soaking corned beef brisket overnight in water to remove excess salt. After, rub a mix of pepper and ground coriander all over the rinsed and dried corned beef. Now set your smoker for 275-300ºF. Smoke your meat until it reaches an internal temperature of about 190°F to 195°F.

What Wood Should You Use? 

Choose a mild wood for smoking corned beef. Using woods that are too strong will overpower the pastrami flavor. Fruit woods such as apple or cherry work well along with other mild woods like maple or oak.

What is the Difference Between Pastrami and Corned Beef?

Pastrami is smoked while corned beef is boiled. Pastrami is often rubbed with spices again before smoking.

Is Brisket and Corned Beef the Same?

They are both the same in that they are both kinds of beef. Corned beef begins as beef brisket and is first brine-cured. The brine-cure is what turns it into corned beef. The curing process is where the beef gets its specific color. At the store, beef brisket will be labeled as beef brisket and will have a good amount of fat on it.

Do You Have to Rinse Corned Beef Before You Cook It?

Yes, you should always rinse corned beef before cooking it. Since the corned beef is a brisket that is first cured or “corned,” you’ll want to rinse off the excess salt and spices. Corning is a pickling process that uses a particular kind of curing salt and spices to infuse the meat with a distinct flavor.

When is the Corned Beef Done?

Why is My Corned Beef so Tough?

One reason could be cooking your brisket using high heat. When smoked at a high temperature for too long, corned beef is very likely to turn out tough and chewy instead of soft and tender. A low, gentle simmer on the stovetop or in the slow cooker are two standard methods for cooking up tender, soft slices of corned beef.

Smoking the corned beef at a low temperature is a great way to infuse smoke flavor while ensuring you are left with a soft and tender piece of meat. 

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What Does Corned Beef Brisket Taste Like?

You’ll find that corned beef has a soft, tender texture, with some sweet, sour, spicy, salt, and meaty flavor. The ingredients are evened out adequately through the brining process. The corned beef is cooked, boiled, roasted, or smoked with pickling spices. The term corned refers to the size of salt. Since a fair amount of salt used, it might be somewhat salty for some people.

Is a Reuben Made with Pastrami or Corned Beef?

Your classic Reuben is always made with corned beef. Pastrami and cored beef come from the same cut of beef (brisket) and are brined for up to a week. However, afterward, corned beef is boiled while pastrami is seasoned with a dry spice mix and smoked.

Which is Healthier Corned Beef or Pastrami?

While pastrami and corned beef share related nutritional elements concerning fat content and protein, they differ in sodium. Due to how corned beef is prepared, its sodium content is a lot higher than pastrami. The pastrami is slightly healthier than corned beef based on the salt factor.

How Much Corned Beef Do I Need Per Person?

You should plan around 1/2lb per person of pre-cooked corned beef. A 2-3lb size should serve 4-6 people.

Can I Freeze Corned Beef?

Uncooked corned beef brisket can be frozen if it is drained and well-wrapped. After cooking the corned beef, you can store it for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. You can also freeze cooked beef for 2 to 3 months in your freezer.

Conclusion

You can and should try smoking corned beef. The flavors blend well with mild or fruit wood pellets. It’s an easy process and well worth doing. 

Here’s a video showing you how to smoke corned beef that I found helpful.  

Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your favorite Smoking Food Board!!

If you’re curious about what else to smoke check out How to Smoke Tri Tip in a Pellet Grill.

Bon Appétit