Pastrami Spiced Brisket
A peppery, pastrami-inspired brisket roasted low and slow in the oven, chilled for clean slicing, then reheated and broiled until deeply browned.
Prep Time35 minutes mins
Cook Time4 hours hrs 45 minutes mins
Total Time5 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: beef, brisket, dinner party, hanukkah, make-ahead, pastrami
Servings: 6
Pastrami Spice Rub
- 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
- 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
- 1 tablespoon ground coriander
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon mustard seeds
- ½ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
Brisket
- 1 3-pound brisket
- ¼ cup deli mustard
- Heavy-duty aluminum foil
- 1 tablespoon honey for finishing
Make the Pastrami Spice Rub
Using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle, crush the black peppercorns, coriander seeds, and mustard seeds until coarse.
Transfer to a small bowl and mix with the ground black pepper, ground coriander, brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and kosher salt.
Prepare the Brisket
Pat the brisket dry. Using a sharp knife, score the fat cap in a shallow crosshatch pattern.
Brush the brisket all over with the deli mustard, coating all sides evenly.
Press the pastrami spice rub firmly into the brisket, making sure it’s fully and evenly coated.
Roast
Wrap the brisket tightly in two layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil, sealing well so no liquid can escape.
Place the wrapped brisket fat-side up on a baking sheet.
Roast at 300°F for 4 hours.
Chill
Carefully snip a small hole in the foil and drain off any excess rendered fat and liquid.
Rewrap the brisket tightly and refrigerate until fully chilled, at least a few hours and up to 2 days.
Reheat & Finish
Reheat the brisket, still wrapped in foil, at 325–350°F for about 30 minutes, until completely warmed through.
Unwrap the brisket and brush the fat cap with the honey.
Broil until deeply browned and blackened in spots.
Rest briefly, then slice against the grain and serve.
Make sure the brisket is fully heated before broiling so the exterior doesn’t burn before the inside is hot.