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Smoked Pastrami Burgers

Smoked Pastrami Burgers

By Traeger Kitchen

Make weekend burgers sizzle by topping your patties with tender, sliced pastrami. The zesty brined flavor is unbeatable.

Prep Time

10 Minutes

Cook Time

40 Minutes

Pellets

Hickory

Ingredients

How many people are you serving?

6

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Units of Measurement:
main
2 Pound Ground Chuck
To Taste Traeger Beef Rub
1 Pound pastrami, thick sliced
8 Slices sharp cheddar cheese
8 buns
lettuce, for serving
Tomatoes, sliced, for serving
Red onions, sliced, for serving
Pickles, as needed, for serving
Fry Sauce
1/2 Cup Mayonnaise
1/3 Cup Traeger 'Que BBQ Sauce
2 Teaspoon pickle juice

Steps

  • 1

    When ready to cook, set the Traeger temperature to 180°F and preheat with the lid closed for 15 minutes. For optimal flavor, use Super Smoke if available.

    180 ˚F / 82 ˚C

    Super Smoke

  • 2

    Divide the ground beef into 8 equal-sized (4 oz.) patties and season both sides with Traeger Beef Rub.

    Ingredients

    • 2 Pound Ground Chuck

    • To Taste Traeger Beef Rub

  • 3

    Insert the probe horizontally into the center of a burger patty. Place the burgers directly on the grill grates. Close the lid, and smoke for 30 minutes.

    180 ˚F / 82 ˚C

    Super Smoke

  • 4

    Make the fry sauce. In a small bowl, combine the mayo, BBQ sauce, and pickle juice. Stir to combine, cover, and keep refrigerated until ready to use.

    Ingredients

    • 1/2 Cup Mayonnaise

    • 1/3 Cup Traeger 'Que BBQ Sauce

    • 2 Teaspoon pickle juice

  • 5

    Remove the burgers from the grill and increase the temperature to 450°F and preheat with the lid closed for 15 minutes.

    450 ˚F / 232 ˚C

  • 6

    Place the burgers directly on the grill grates. Close the lid and cook for 4-5 minutes, then flip. Add the pastrami to the grill in 8 individually portioned piles. Close the lid and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes.

    450 ˚F / 232 ˚C

    Ingredients

    • 1 Pound pastrami, thick sliced

  • 7

    Carefully transfer the pastrami to the top of the burgers and place a slice of cheese on each. If desired, place the buns cut-side down on the grill grates to toast. Close the lid and cook until the cheese is melted and the burgers reach an internal temperature of 160°F, or desired level of doneness.

    450 ˚F / 232 ˚C

    160 ˚F / 71 ˚C

    Ingredients

    • 8 Slices sharp cheddar cheese

    • 8  buns

  • 8

    Remove the burgers and buns from the grill. Transfer the pastrami-topped burgers to the bottom bun. Slather the top bun with the fry sauce, add the burger toppings of your choice and serve immediately. Enjoy!

    Ingredients

    •  lettuce, for serving

    •  Tomatoes, sliced, for serving

    •  Red onions, sliced, for serving

    •  Pickles, as needed, for serving

Cooking Notes

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