Store Bought Corned Beef Question

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alexm

Newbie
Original poster
Feb 22, 2016
4
10
I bought a corned beef from the local chain with the intention of making a pastrami. It may seem like a silly question, but is it necessary to soak it first? I have heard yes and no, but namely from people that boil it or pressure cook. To soak or not to soak, that is the question.... Thanks.
 
I just did a corned packer last weekend, and did not soak enough.  My next cook will be with corned beef that is soaked overnight.  Funny thing is that the first packer I did (from the same supplier) was just fine without soaking, but this last one was a bit too salty for the missus.

If you are salt conscious, I'd recommend soaking.
 
Yes you need to soak it, if you are going to smoke it.

4-6 hours, changing the water a couple of times.

The reason being that they expect you to cook it in liquid which would take the excess salt out.

If you smoke it without soaking it first, all that salt will still be in the meat.

Al
 
I too don't soak, but I like salt. I do however rinse off the meat to get that slime off. It always makes me think of that little green thingie in Ghostbusters!

Then I rub with pastrami spices before smoking. It really makes a difference. I mean, smoked corned beef without any crushed juniper berries is just smoked corned beef. 
 
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