Montreal Smoked Meat

Montreal Smoked Meat

Montreal Smoked Meat is a luscious and tender cured brisket, perfectly seasoned with a vibrant blend of spices and slow-smoked to perfection. This iconic delicacy delivers a rich smoky flavor with a tender texture, ideal for sandwich lovers.

Beef

Prep Time

30 min

Cook Time

480 min

Servings

8

This Montreal Smoked Meat recipe celebrates the beloved Jewish deli tradition originating in Montreal, Canada, where smoked meat sandwiches hold iconic status. The brisket is first cured with a flavorful mix of salt, pink salt, and aromatic spices such as coriander and cloves to infuse deep flavors and tenderize the meat. After a thorough soaking and drying process, the meat is coated in a robust rub featuring black pepper, paprika, garlic, and other spices, ensuring an enticing crust during smoking. Smoking the brisket low and slow at 225°F over aromatic wood smoke gently cooks the meat to a tender 165°F, locking in the smoky essence. Next, steaming the meat over simmering water brings the internal temperature to a succulent 180°F for melt-in-your-mouth texture. This two-step cooking process honors traditional deli methods, yielding moist, flavorful smoked meat. The smoky, spice-crusted brisket is best sliced thinly and served warm, ideally stacked on rye bread with a smear of mustard—perfect for starry sandwich nights. It pairs wonderfully with classic deli sides like coleslaw, pickles, and potato salad, making this recipe a delightful centerpiece for gatherings and a celebration of Montreal's rich culinary heritage.

Ingredients

  • 1 Beef Brisket
  • 3 tb Salt
  • 3 tb Black Pepper
  • 1 tb Coriander
  • 1 tb Sugar
  • 1 tsp Bay Leaf
  • 1 tsp Cloves
  • 3 tb Black Pepper
  • 1 tb Coriander
  • 1 tb Paprika
  • 1 tb Garlic
  • 1 tb Onion
  • 1 tb Dill
  • 1 tsp English Mustard
  • 1 tb Celery Salt
  • 1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes

Instructions

Begin by preparing the curing mixture: in a small bowl, combine salt, pink salt, freshly cracked black pepper, ground coriander, sugar, bay leaf, and ground cloves. Thoroughly coat the entire beef brisket with this aromatic cure, ensuring every surface is covered. Place the cured brisket into a large resealable plastic bag, seal securely, and set it in the coldest part of your refrigerator. Allow the brisket to cure for 4 full days, flipping the bag gently twice a day to evenly distribute the cure and flavors. After curing, remove the brisket from the bag and rinse it under cold running water, washing off as much of the cure as you can. Next, immerse the brisket in a large container filled with fresh, cold water and let it soak for 2 hours, changing the water every 30 minutes to remove excess salt and balance flavors. Once soaked, pat the brisket dry thoroughly using paper towels. For the rub, mix together black pepper, coriander, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dill weed, English mustard powder, celery salt, and crushed red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Generously coat the entire brisket with this flavorful rub, pressing it gently so it adheres well to the meat. Prepare your smoker or grill by heating it up to a steady 225°F. Add chunks of smoking wood once the temperature is reached, allowing the smoke to build up before introducing the brisket. Place the rubbed brisket into the smoker fat side up, letting it slow-cook and absorb the smoky aromas. Maintain a consistent temperature and smoke the brisket until a reliable instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 165°F, roughly 6 hours. This slow smoking ensures the meat is tender and flavorful. Next, transfer the smoked brisket to a large roasting pan fitted with a V-rack. Place the roasting pan over two burners of your stovetop and pour in about 1 inch of water, bringing it to a rolling boil on high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil, allowing the brisket to steam. Continue steaming until the thermometer reads 180°F at the thickest section of the meat, approximately 1 to 2 hours. Remember to add more hot water as needed to maintain the steaming environment. Once properly cooked, remove the brisket from the roasting pan and transfer it to a cutting board. Let it rest and cool slightly before slicing thinly across the grain. For a classic serving, pile the tender, smoky slices onto fresh rye bread and add a spread of mustard. This dish pairs beautifully with pickles, coleslaw, or potato salad for a traditional deli experience. Enjoy your luscious Montreal smoked meat sandwich!

Quick Info

Prep Time
30 min
Cook Time
480 min
Total Time
510 min
Servings
8