Pastrami is a delicious type of cured and smoked meat typically made from beef brisket, and sometimes even turkey or lamb. It is a staple product found fresh in Jewish delis all around New York City. It has become increasingly famous due to Utah’s juicy pastrami burgers and New York City’s mouth-watering pastrami sandwiches.
The best part about deli pastrami is that it can be enjoyed with various ingredients and condiments. If you enjoy beef pastrami in a burger, you will be able to taste the fattiness and juice in it since beef brisket usually contains a delicious amount of fat.
On the other hand, a turkey pastrami sandwich is much healthier for you yet contains the same sweet, salty, and smoky flavor that makes you crave more with every bite. Whether you enjoy eating pastrami in a sandwich or a salad, you need to know how to prepare it to enjoy its complete flavor profile.
How Do You Warm Up Pastrami?
Depending on how you want to enjoy it, there are several ways of heating up pastrami. Reheated pastrami often doesn’t have the same level of moisture or tenderness, but with the right approach, you can get pretty close.
Reheating Pastrami in the Microwave
For reheating deli pastrami in the microwave, place it on a microwave-safe container or plate. You can lay out several slices on a plate before placing a slightly damp paper towel on top. Once you have laid everything down carefully, place the container in the microwave oven and leave it in the microwave for about 20 to 40 seconds or until all the slices are heated up. The damp paper towel helps keep the pastrami moist as the microwave heats it to the perfect temperature within seconds.
Reheating Pastrami in the Steamer
If you want to add extra moisture to your pastrami, heating it in a steamer is the best way to achieve a juicy and flavorful result. Set up your steamer and heat slowly to bring the water to a gentle simmer.
Once the water is hot, lay the pastrami pieces flat in the steamer and cover them with the lid. After two to three minutes, check the pastrami to see if it has heated up properly. If it is perfectly hot and moist, take out the pastrami and serve it on rye bread with your favorite condiments.
Reheating Pastrami in the Oven
If you want to heat up a large quantity of pastrami at once, you should reheat it in the oven. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Lay down the pastrami you want to enjoy on foil. Be careful not to stack too much pastrami on top of one another since it can cause uneven heating.
Once the layers of pastrami have been laid, spread one to two tablespoons of water or beef broth on them. Wrap the foil tightly to ensure no steam can escape. Place the wrapped pastrami in the oven for five to six minutes. After warming the pastrami thoroughly, unwrap it from the tin foil and enjoy it as you please.
Reheating Pastrami in a Skillet
Reheating pastrami in a skillet is the best way to achieve crispy pastrami. This method is also the best way to reheat a pastrami sandwich for a deliciously crunchy and juicy texture.
To use a skillet to warm pastrami, heat your skillet over medium-low heat. If you want to keep the pastrami soft, add a few tablespoons of water or broth to the pan before placing the pastrami in.
Similarly, add a few tablespoons of oil to your skillet for crispy pastrami. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it sit for one to two minutes. Turn the pastrami for an even moist/ moist layer.
How to Reheat Pastrami – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to heat up pastrami for a sandwich?
There are several ways of heating up pastrami for a sandwich. You can warm refrigerated pastrami in a skillet, oven, steamer, or microwave oven, or even reheat it in a water bath (if it is packaged carefully).
The best way to reheat pastrami for a sandwich is to reheat it in a skillet. You can achieve crispy pastrami, which is a delight to enjoy with the soft bread and gooey cheese of a sandwich.
Can pastrami be eaten cold?
Yes, pastrami can be enjoyed cold; however, pastrami tastes much better when reheated.
Is pastrami better hot or cold?
Pastrami tastes much better hot than cold since the smoky flavor comes out more prominently when the pastrami is heated up. Nevertheless, many people enjoy cold and hot pastrami, which means it is all up to a person’s preferences.
What is the best way to reheat a pastrami sandwich?
The best way to reheat a pastrami sandwich is to remove the pastrami from the sandwich, wrap it in tin foil with a spoonful of water or beef broth, and warm it in a preheated oven.
Meanwhile, you need to heat a skillet to lightly toast the bread of the sandwich until it is warm and crispy. Combine the bread and the pastrami once both are adequately heated, and enjoy with your favorite condiments.
Hot Pastrami Sandwich Recipe
Over 130 years ago, the pastrami on rye sandwich made its debut at a deli in New York City. Now, in honor of National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day, Chef Cody is here with a recipe that you’re going to want to see.
So, grab a heaping mound of pastrami, Havarti cheese, your favorite rye bread, spicy mustard, pickles, and butter. Then, follow along to create this beautiful delicacy!
Summary
If you are preparing a pastrami dish yourself with refrigerated pastrami from your favorite Jewish deli, you need to know how to reheat it. If you do not warm up pastrami correctly, you can end up with a tough and dry piece of meat that can ruin the texture of your sandwich or burger.
Even if you enjoy eating pastrami cold, you need to know the optimum temperature of cool pastrami that would pair well with different cheeses and salads. This article has covered all methods for reheating pastrami using safe and effective techniques to help you enjoy juicy, hot, and flavorful pastrami.
For more information about different types of pastrami and Jewish Delis, click on any of the following links.
Related Articles
Everything to Know about Pastrami Sandwiches
My name is Jay and I started this website to share my love of Deli Food. I am Jewish with Italian ancestry and grandparents who emigrated to the US from Poland, Russia and Turkey. This website is my celebration of the delicious flavors of international deli culture. Please feel free to send me your suggestions and feedback through the contact form.
