Pastrami Burger Recipes

Steps:

• Start a wood campfire and wait until the flames die down and the coals glow red with white ash. Lower a grilling grate so that it sits above the coals and you have nice, even medium heat.
• Place the butter and garlic in a large cast-iron skillet and set over the fire (or on a stovetop over medium heat). As the butter melts, the garlic will infuse the butter and become fragrant. Stir well and season with salt and pepper; transfer the garlic butter to a small bowl and set aside to cool.
• Place the same skillet back over medium heat to warm up. Add enough canola oil to coat the skillet, about 2 tablespoons, then add the onion. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until the onion caramelizes, 10 to 15 minutes. Season with salt and cook until soft and evenly brown, about 3 more minutes. Transfer the onion to a plate and set aside.
• Raise the heat level to medium high by moving the skillet so it's directly over the coals, or lower the grate so it's closer to the coals. Add enough canola oil to coat the skillet, about 2 tablespoons. Add the pastrami and cook, turning a few times, until crisp, 7 to 8 minutes. Remove the pastrami and set aside, leaving any accumulated juices in the skillet.
• Divide the ground beef into 4 portions and form into 4 tight balls. Sprinkle them all over with salt and pepper. Place the hamburger balls in the skillet and sear 30 to 40 seconds, then use a strong flat metal spatula to flatten them. Continue to press with the spatula and cook until the burgers develop a crust on the bottom, about 2 1/2 minutes. Flip and cook to develop a crust on the second side, 1 minute. Use a spoon to baste the burgers with the pastrami fat in the pan.
• Top each burger with 2 slices cheese. Pour 1 tablespoon water into the skillet and cover with a lid, aluminum foil or another pan to seal in the steam (this will help melt the cheese). Leave covered 30 to 40 seconds, until the cheese has melted, then remove the lid. When the burgers are at the desired point of doneness and the cheese is melted, top each with a pile of crispy pastrami, then set the burgers aside.
• Brush the cut sides of the buns lightly with the garlic butter. Toast the buns directly on the grill over the campfire until golden and crisp around the edges, 15 to 20 seconds. Flip and lightly toast the outside of the buns, another 15 seconds.
• Assemble each burger by layering the bottom half of each bun with pickle slices and caramelized onion, then a pastrami-burger patty. Top each with lettuce, tomatoes and the top half of the bun. Serve with caraway coleslaw.
• Photograph from "Guy on Fire: 130 Recipes for Adventures in Outdoor Cooking"

Steps:

• For the brine: In a large stockpot, add half of the water, the brown sugar, kosher salt, curing salt, coriander seeds, mustard seeds, fennel seeds, juniper berries, chile flakes, bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon and star anise and bring to a boil. Then simmer for 30 minutes. Add the remaining water with some ice to chill the brine.
• For the rub: Grind the peppercorns, coriander and juniper until crushed but still a little chunky. Add to a mixing bowl. Add the salt, brown sugar, chile flakes and granulated garlic and stir to combine.
• For the pastrami: First, clean all the fat off the brisket including the "V" between the two muscles, then follow the fat between the two muscles and separate them making a flat and a cap.
• Transfer the brine to a large hotel pan or roasting pan. Add the brisket and refrigerate at least 5 days and no more than 10 days. Make sure the brisket is stirred once a day to get an evenly brined brisket.
• After a minimum of 5 days, prepare a smoker for 225 degrees F.
• Remove the pastrami, rinse it and blot dry with paper towels. Thoroughly rub the brined brisket with the pastrami rub. Place in smoker and cook for 8 hours until the internal temperature reaches 210 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.

Steps:

• Loosely shape the beef into 4 equal patties about 1/2-inch thick and 4 inches in diameter. Sprinkle each side of the patties generously with salt and pepper. Create a small well in the center of each patty, using your thumb, to help your burger cook evenly. Heat a griddle pan over high heat. Add the pastrami and cook until browned and crisp on both sides, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Next, add the burger patties and cook until browned on each side, about 4 minutes per side. Top each burger with 2 slices of the cheese and continue cooking until the cheese is melted. Slather 1 tablespoon Utah Fry Sauce on each side of the buns. Add the beef patties and top with pastrami and a pile of potato chips. Finish with the top bun and serve with additional chips and sauce on the side.
• Mix together the mayonnaise, ketchup, sugar, vinegar and relish in a small bowl. Adjust the seasoning to taste. Refrigerate until ready to use. Yield: 3/4 cup.

Steps:

• Mix ground chuck with egg, worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
• Form into 4 patties about 1/2 inch thick.
• Cook on grill for 5-6 minutes each side, or in a skillet for 4-5 minutes.
• Toast 4 buns, and add pastrami and cheese.
• Top with condiments, and serve.