Instant Pot Pastrami

Introduction

Instant Pot Pastrami brings smoky, deli-style flavor to your kitchen in a fraction of the time traditional methods require. Whether you serve it hot on rye bread or sliced thin for charcuterie, this recipe delivers irresistible, savory pastrami with minimal fuss—the rich, peppery crust and tender interior will have everyone reaching for seconds.

Using an Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 Quart slashes hours off the cooking process, making top-quality homemade pastrami surprisingly easy even on a busy weeknight.

Why Make Instant Pot Pastrami?

This recipe recreates the bold flavors and melt-in-your-mouth texture of classic New York deli pastrami, but without days of brining or hours of babysitting a smoker. Pressure cooking keeps the meat exceptionally moist, while a blend of spices creates a signature aromatic bark. You’ll have sandwich-ready slices that are sure to impress at any gathering.

Preparing Your Pastrami Rub and Meat

To start, you’ll need a beef brisket or store-bought corned beef. Transforming corned beef into pastrami is easy—all it takes is rinsing to remove excess salt and then rubbing on a smoky, peppery spice mix featuring crushed black peppercorns, coriander, garlic, and paprika.

For a fast and even chop on your garlic and spices, consider using the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper to save time and ensure uniform flavor distribution.

Pressure Cooking for Perfect Tenderness

Place your seasoned meat on the Instant Pot trivet with a small amount of water beneath to generate steam. Cooking under pressure rapidly tenderizes the meat and infuses it with the aromatic rub—a transformative shortcut compared to low-and-slow methods.

Use a reliable ThermoPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer for Cooking to check doneness before moving on to the final step.

Aromatic Finishing Touches

After pressure cooking, the last step is to develop the traditional smoky crust. Pat the meat dry, re-coat with additional spice rub, then broil or air fry briefly for that signature char.

For ultimate convenience and authentic crunchy bark, set your slices in the COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1, Compact & Large 6-Qt, Grey—it makes achieving crisped edges effortless and fast, even in small batches.

Serving Suggestions for Show-Stopping Instant Pot Pastrami

Pile generous slices onto rye bread with spicy mustard and pickles, or serve hot over roasted vegetables. Keep leftovers fresh and meal-prep friendly using Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, Set of 5 (3.2 Cup) to maintain the meat’s tenderness through the week.

For presentation, a sturdy slicing surface like the Bamboo Cutting Boards for Kitchen, Set of 3 ensures sharp, clean cuts every time.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields approximately 8 servings. Each portion contains about 300 calories, depending on the cut of meat and the amount of fat trimmed away. Enjoy this protein-rich classic in moderation for a filling, comforting meal.

Instant Pot Pastrami Recap

Homemade Instant Pot Pastrami combines traditional deli flavor with the ease of modern cooking. It’s bold, savory, and endlessly adaptable for anything from sandwiches to party platters—guaranteed to satisfy a crowd.

Instructions

1. If using corned beef: Rinse thoroughly under cold water to remove excess brine. Pat dry.
2. Combine black peppercorns, coriander, smoked paprika, garlic powder, brown sugar, mustard powder, allspice, and salt in a bowl. For fast chopping of spices and garlic, use the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper.
3. Rub the seasoning mix evenly over the beef, pressing to adhere.
4. Place trivet in the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 Quart. Add 2 cups water to the bottom.
5. Set the seasoned brisket fat-side up on the trivet. Seal lid and cook on High Pressure for 90 minutes. Allow natural pressure release for at least 15 minutes.
6. Carefully remove the brisket and transfer to a cutting board. Pat dry with paper towels. Preheat broiler or COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1, Compact & Large 6-Qt, Grey.
7. Generously coat the top of the brisket with any reserved spice rub. Broil or air fry at 400°F for 5–8 minutes, until the crust is dark and aromatic, but not burned.
8. Rest the pastrami loosely tented with foil for 10 minutes before slicing against the grain.
9. Serve hot on rye bread with mustard and pickles, or as desired.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 35 minutes (including pressure build/release)

Broil/Air Fry: 10 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours