Double smoked cured beef takes a regular smoked beef roast to a whole new level of deliciousness. You can make it in lots of flavors, ranging from habanero to bourbon, so you can enjoy your homemade smoked beef just the way you want it.
What’s even better, a double smoked beef roast is easy enough to do on a charcoal grill or any type of smoker you might have. A double smoked beef roast is ideal for the holiday season, but you can also enjoy it whenever you want some extra wow factor in your favorite cured centerpiece.
If you are a beginner, you may think that making a twice-smoked beef roast looks like a daunting process. The good news is that it’s easier than it looks, this guide will provide you with all the information you need to do it successfully even if it’s your first time. Now let’s have a look at the best ways to double smoke a cured beef roast!
Most of the cured beef roasts (like smoked navel, pastrami, or corned beef roasts) you can buy in stores are already cooked, and as their name suggests, double-smoked beef roasts are smoked a second time to add more flavor and texture to a regular cut of beef.
Because the beef is already cooked, the double smoking process is a very easy one. All the hard work has been done before you purchase your beef. All that remains to do is warm the beef and add all the flavors you want before smoking it again for, well, double the smokiness.
The pre-cooked beef you buy in the stores has already been cured with a nitrate solution for a tender texture and deep color. These roasts have already been smoked once, and you can choose from multiple flavors, such as apple or hickory, for example, which you can then enhance as you wish.
The cooking time and number of servings you can obtain when double smoking a beef roast depends on the type and size of the cut you choose. Try to get a quality beef roast, the best you can get, as it will have less dense fat on it.
The smoking process for a pre-cooked beef roast is basically the same as the one for a raw beef roast. All you need to do is skip the brining process and reduce the smoking time, too, as the beef has already been smoked.
You will need to pay special attention to temperature, because you don’t want your beef to be too dry. The beef is already pre-cooked, so you should aim to bring the internal temperature to at least 165°F. Because you have handled and unpackaged the meat, the USDA recommends 165°F for food safety. The braising step will ensure it stays moist, and if you prefer a melt-in-your-mouth texture, you can even take it up to 190°F to further soften the beef.
The calories and nutrition per serving can vary depending on the ingredients you used for the glaze, but typically, you can expect a serving of glazed double smoked beef to have 200-250 calories and approximately 10-15 grams of carbohydrates.
There are multiple ways to double smoke a beef roast, and the equipment you use may differ. However, some pieces of equipment are essential, and they include the following:
The ingredients you need to double smoke a beef roast vary according to the flavors you want to achieve. As a rule of thumb, you will need the following:
You can use goose or duck fat instead of canola oil if you want, and you can also apply your favorite rub, too. If you want to do this step, make sure that the flavors of the rub you use work well with the existent flavors of the beef.
When it comes to spices, the possibilities are truly endless, and you can use cloves, peppercorns and basically any of your favorite things. Cayenne pepper and dry mustard can be applied to the beef as well as part of the rub, together with salt and paprika.
For the basting sauce, you can use a mix of beef stock and orange or pineapple juice. The glaze itself can include honey, orange or pineapple juice, cloves, dry mustard, and something to make the beef festive, like bourbon or white wine.
To make the perfect double smoked beef roast, it’s a good idea to experiment with spices and create your own combination that’s tailored to your taste.
Once you have gathered all your ingredients and equipment, it’s time to get to work. There are several steps that you need to follow to double smoke a beef roast.
Beef stock is a popular option to use as a braise when double smoking a beef roast, but there are lots of alternatives here. Depending on your preferences, you can use beer, white wine, bourbon, hard cider, and even soda (Coca-Cola smoked beef is a very popular recipe for the holidays).
Some of the pre-cooked beef roasts you can buy in shops have a glaze already applied. There are multiple ways to deal with this when you want to double smoke a beef roast. If the glaze is pre-packaged, simply ignore it and discard it. If the glaze is already on the beef, you can choose to use your own glaze on top of it or rinse it off if you only want your preferred glaze on the beef.
Cured beef roasts typically vary between 1 and 12 pounds, so you can choose the right size for you easily. When buying the beef, make sure it says “ready to eat” or “fully cooked” on it. Keep in mind that the size of the beef roast will influence cooking times.
For example, if you’re using an 8-10 pound beef roast, you will need up to 3 hours in the braising step, but this time is significantly lower for smaller 2-4 pound roasts. Having a meat thermometer is extremely important for this step, because it’s the only way to check the temperature inside the beef and check its progress before proceeding with the glazing and the next steps.
Pre-cooked cured beef roasts are usually sold whole. Do not slice the beef before smoking, as this will expose too much surface area and cause the lean meat to dry out. Wait until it has reached temperature and rested, then slice thinly against the grain for the best, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Some of the smoked beef roasts available in shops have a fat cap on. You can double smoke beef with or without the fat cap on, but keep in mind that the fat may take longer to cook because it takes longer for the heat to penetrate those extra layers.
There are countless variations of glaze you can use for a double smoked beef roast. Choose the one that suits your tastes.
Some of the most popular options for glazing a double smoked beef roast include brown sugar honey glaze, bourbon peach habanero glaze, cherry bourbon, and maple-mustard glaze.
The best glazes for double smoked beef have the perfect balance of sweet, savory and shiny. In most cases, the beef should be glazed towards the end of the cooking process, because you shouldn’t allow the sugar to caramelize too much. Add the glaze when there are approximately 20-30 minutes left from the cooking time.
If you want a sweeter glaze, use a light brown sugar. Dark brown sugar typically results in a deep molasses flavor. If you want to add a festive holiday flavor to your glaze, you can use some orange juice in it.
Double smoked beef is ideal for holidays and it also makes a great centerpiece at large gatherings. The best way to serve it is sliced and with your favorite trimmings, which can range from green beans, root veggies such as carrots and parsnips to salad and roast potatoes.
This beef roast is also a great choice for a buffet-style meal or a potluck. You can use leftovers to make a potato salad or a hearty casserole. Other ideas include frittatas, an egg and beef pie, and Reuben sandwiches. The possibilities are truly endless!
To serve the beef, transfer the sauce to a gravy boat and move the beef from the pan to a cutting board. Using a quality knife, slice the meat thinly against the grain. Pour some gravy on each slice before serving.
A double smoked beef roast is the perfect way to add wood fire smoke to your favorite pre-cooked beef. You can opt for numerous types of glaze to give your beef that extra wow factor. Most people enjoy a roast for a holiday meal, and you can easily pair it with your favorite wines, ranging from Pinot Noir to Zinfandel.
We hope you enjoyed this guide and that you’ll give it a try and prepare your own double smoked beef roast. Learning how to double smoke a beef roast is a really useful skill to have, and applying our tips will help you gain recognition as a master smoker in your family and friends circle.
