Do I need to cook smoked beef before eating?
I bought some beef from the supermarket that said "smoked beef" on the label and nothing else. It was contained in the fridge, not the freezer section. I'm not sure how to prepare this for eating. I tried making a few slices and put it in the foreman for about 5 minutes. It turned out tough after about 30 minutes after grilling.
How do I prepare this and how long can I store this in the fridge?
Best Answer
What it looks like you have there is a Pastrami. Though not a particularly 'good' one, perhaps made from Eye of Round rather than brisket. It has been brined (soaked in a salt solution) in order to preserve the meat and then smoked (most likely to an internal temperature of 175°F (80°C)). This should make the meat 'completely safe' from food borne illnesses and is good to eat either cold (which I prefer) or hot (as in a Reuben sandwich). It is typically shaved (sliced very thin).
It should be stored wrapped in a cold place (the fridge). It has a reasonable shelf life, you might check to see of there is a 'best by' date, beyond that it would be impossible to say 'how long it will last' as there are just too many unknowns.
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Quick Answer about "Do I need to cook smoked beef before eating?"
It has been brined (soaked in a salt solution) in order to preserve the meat and then smoked (most likely to an internal temperature of 175°F (80°C)). This should make the meat 'completely safe' from food borne illnesses and is good to eat either cold (which I prefer) or hot (as in a Reuben sandwich).Do you need to cook smoked beef?
Hot smoking Although foods that have been hot smoked are often reheated or further cooked, they are typically safe to eat without further cooking. Hams and ham hocks are fully cooked once they are properly smoked, and they can be eaten as is without any further preparation.Is smoked meat cooked or raw?
In a smoker, the air temperature is increased and carefully controlled to raise the meat temperature to produce a fully-cooked food product. Frequently, meat, poultry, and fish are brined in a salt water solution to help the meat retain moisture during the smoking process.Can smoked meat be eaten?
By creating nutritious high-protein foods that are enjoyable to eat, smoked food makes a great addition to any balanced diet. Smoked meat, in particular, offer high iron content. Smoking is a very low-fat cooking process because it often avoids cooking with oils, fats and sauces.Does smoked food need to be cooked?
Smoked food is safe to eat without further cooking, although they are often reheated if not consumed in one sitting. The idea behind this, just like any type of food preparation, is that heated food releases maximum flavor. For example, you can eat hams as they are at any given time once smoked properly.I COOKED a Brisket for a MONTH and this happened!
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