Easy Pastrami Burgers

By Todd Martin January 7, 2024 4 mins read 150 Views

If you’re looking for a way to jazz up your burger game, look no further than these easy pastrami burgers. Bursting with flavor and perfect for summer barbecues and game days, these burgers will hit the spot. Fire up your grill, and get ready to eat a tasty burger!

Have you ever tried a pastrami burger? If not, you are in for a treat. Legend says that the pastrami burger originated in California in the early 1970s and was popularized in Salt Lake City, Utah thanks to Crown Burger. To this day, these burgers remain a popular fast food choice. Once you’ve tried a pastrami burger, you will understand what all the hype is about.

For this recipe, we are taking it one step further by infusing these beefy patties with garlic. These pastrami burgers are grilled to perfection, and topped with warmed pastrami, a creamy flavorful sauce, and cheese.

Ingredients

Ground beef chuck (80/20)
Pastrami slices (good quality)
Fresh garlic (or Smoked Garlic)
Swiss cheese (or American cheese)
Hamburger buns (sesame seeds, broiche, onion, rye, or gluten-free buns etc.)
Shredded lettuce (iceberg, green leaf, or romaine)
Salt and pepper (black pepper is optional)
Tomatoes and sliced red onions (optional)

Pastrami burger dressing:

Real mayonnaise
Ketchup
Prepared horseradish (substitute with relish or horseradish cream)
Granulated onion or onion powder

This sauce is simple and is basically an elevated fry sauce! All you’ll need to is measure out your ingredients and stir them together in a small bowl. You can also use thousand island dressing if preferred.

How to make pastrami burgers:

Prepare the dressing by mixing all the ingredients in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Preheat grill to medium-high heat (375 degrees F).
If you are using a pellet grill, follow my pellet-smoked burger technique. This method will produce smokier garlic pastrami burgers. Use oak, cherry, or mesquite pellets.
Gently combine ground beef with minced garlic. Form into 4 equal-sized patties.
Place patties onto the grill and cook for 5 minutes per side or until they reach an internal temperature of 160-165 degrees F.
During the last few minutes, top each burger with Swiss cheese and 1/4 of the pastrami. Close the lid for 1-2 minutes and allow the cheese to melt and the pastrami to warm through.
Optional step: Toast the hamburger buns. Brush the cut side with oil or butter and place on the grill for 1-2 minutes.
Remove patties (and buns) from the grill and assemble your garlic pastrami burgers. Use the desired amount of dressing and lettuce.

Tips

Look for good quality pastrami. You can purchase a portion and slice, or make your own and slice thin.
Did you prepare a delicious corned beef for St Patrick’s Day, Slice it into thin and use it instead of the pastrami! Or you can prepare with with Pastrami Spice Rub. The flavor will be mellow, but delicious!
Add a little zing by substituting the lettuce with sauerkraut.

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