Montreal Smoked Meat
Cured and hot-smoked beef brisket served thick-cut on rye with yellow mustard — the Jewish-deli classic that defines… · Canada
Also known as smoked meat, boeuf fumé Montréal, Montreal-style pastrami
Cured and hot-smoked beef brisket served thick-cut on rye with yellow mustard — the Jewish-deli classic that defines Montreal\u0027s Main.
About Montreal Smoked Meat
Montreal Smoked Meat is the cured, spiced, and hot-smoked brisket that is the pride of the Jewish delis of Montreal, and one of the city\u0027s defining plates. The recipe was brought by Ashkenazi immigrants in the early twentieth century and refined by Reuben Schwartz of Schwartz\u0027s and by the late Abie Ickowicz of Main Deli Steaks — a recipe that follows the New York kosher-deli tradition of pastrami but uses a different rub (more pepper, more coriander, less clove) and a distinctive spice finish of cracked black pepper, coriander seed, and paprika. The brisket is cured, brined, dried, rubbed and smoked for hours, then steamed until tender and sliced by hand thick enough to feel like a slice of roast beef, but with a deep red smoke ring under the crust. It is served stacked on rye bread with yellow mustard — never, despite what the deli cases suggest, with mayo or with a smear of Thousand Island — and the classic order is a sandwich with a hand-cut pickle and a cherry soda at the counter, or a "smoked meat plate" with fries and coleslaw. Schwartz\u0027s on Saint-Laurent Boulevard, Main Deli Steaks on Saint-Laurent Main, and Lester\u0027s in the Outremont neighbourhood are the most cited sources. Eat it messy, eat it hot, eat it within ten minutes of the slicing.
🏛️ History & Culture
Montreal smoked meat traces its roots to the Jewish deli tradition brought to Montreal by Ashkenazi immigrants, particularly from Eastern Europe, in the early 20th century. Its exact origins are debated, as the technique of brining, spicing, and hot-smoking beef brisket evolved from a variety of Old World curing practices, and the dish only became a distinct local specialty through the city's delis, most famously Schwartz's (founded 1928), though no single creator is documented.
Montreal smoked meat is often compared to New York pastrami, but it is distinguished by a leaner cut, a heavier hand with black pepper and coriander, and a drier, more robustly spiced finish. It is typically served hot on rye bread with yellow mustard, and while it remains a staple of Jewish delis across Canada, it has become a broader symbol of Montreal's working-class and multicultural food identity, standing alongside poutine and bagels as a defining city dish.
Recipes from travellers
No one has shared their own Montreal Smoked Meat recipe yet. Yours would be the first.
Share how you make Montreal Smoked Meat
You'll need to be signed in with Google or Facebook so your name can appear on it. Recipes go through an automatic food-safety check before they publish.
Sign in to share your recipe
Montreal Smoked Meat — frequently asked questions
What is Montreal Smoked Meat?
Montreal Smoked Meat is the cured, spiced, and hot-smoked brisket that is the pride of the Jewish delis of Montreal, and one of the city\u0027s defining plates. The recipe was brought by Ashkenazi immigrants in the early twentieth century and refined by Reuben Schwartz of Schwartz\u0027s and by the late Abie Ickowicz…
What is Montreal Smoked Meat made of?
Montreal Smoked Meat is made with beef brisket, salt, sodium nitrite, coriander seed, black pepper and paprika. Recipes vary by region and by cook, but those are the core ingredients.
Where does Montreal Smoked Meat come from?
Montreal Smoked Meat comes from Canada, and is especially associated with Quebec, Montreal — the Plateau, Outremont, and the Main (Saint-Laurent Boulevard). Montreal smoked meat traces its roots to the Jewish deli tradition brought to Montreal by Ashkenazi immigrants, particularly from Eastern Europe, in the early 20th century.
Where can I eat Montreal Smoked Meat?
Schwartz\u0027s on Boulevard Saint-Laurent, Main Deli Steaks, and Lester\u0027s in Outremont are the most cited counters. Order medium-fat, hand-sliced, on rye with yellow mustard, with a hand-cut pickle on the side.
What else is Montreal Smoked Meat called?
Montreal Smoked Meat is also known as smoked meat, boeuf fumé Montréal, Montreal-style pastrami.
Taste Montreal Smoked Meat in Toronto
Independent picks. We earn a small commission if you book through these — at no extra cost to you. How this works.
✅ Before you go to Canada
Round out your trip — most travellers book these alongside their trip.
More dishes like Montreal Smoked Meat
Geoduck
The geoduck is a giant Pacific Northwest clam prized for sweet, crunchy meat, served raw as sashimi or pan-fried, with British Columbia a major harvest region.
La Sauvagine
Rooted in Canada, La Sauvagine is a cheese enjoyed for generations.
Nanaimo Bar
No-bake layered bar of crumb base, custard cream and chocolate.
Pied-de-Vent
Pied-de-Vent is an artisanal washed-rind cheese from Quebec’s Îles de la Madeleine, made from the milk of rare Canadian cows and named for the islands’ warm wind.
Pictou County Pizza
Pictou County pizza is a Nova Scotia (Canada) style with a thick garlicky brown sauce, heavy cheese and pepperoni strips, a fiercely local rink and family favourite.
Rappie Pie
Rappie Pie is one of the classic dishes in the casserole tradition of Canada.
Chaat
Sweet, sour and spicy snack piled with chutneys and crunch.
Profezeni
Profezeni is a traditional sandwich from Italy.
Masala Dosa
Crisp fermented rice crepe wrapped around spiced potato.
Cuban Sandwich
Pressed ham, roast pork and pickle on Cuban bread.
Dholl Puri
Split-pea flatbread wrapped around curry and chutney.
Carne Asada
Citrus-marinated grilled beef chopped for tacos.
Chili Dog
All-beef hot dog in a soft bun topped with meaty beanless chili, yellow mustard and chopped onion — the American ballpark classic.
Potatoes O'Brien
Potatoes O'Brien is one of the classic dishes in the potato dish tradition of the United States.
Fajitas
Sizzling grilled meat and peppers wrapped in tortillas.
Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza
A deep, buttery crust loaded with cheese and chunky sauce.
- 🇨🇦 Geoduck · Canada
- 🇨🇦 La Sauvagine · Canada
- 🇨🇦 Nanaimo Bar · Canada
- 🇨🇦 Pied-de-Vent · Canada
- 🇨🇦 Pictou County Pizza · Canada
- 🇨🇦 Rappie Pie · Canada
- 🇮🇳 Chaat · India
- 🇮🇹 Profezeni · Italy
- 🇮🇳 Masala Dosa · India
- 🇨🇺 Cuban Sandwich · Cuba
- 🇲🇺 Dholl Puri · Mauritius
- 🇲🇽 Carne Asada · Mexico
- 🇺🇸 Chili Dog · United States
- 🇺🇸 Potatoes O'Brien · United States
- 🇺🇸 Fajitas · United States
- 🇺🇸 Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza · United States
Keep exploring
Travel guides for Canada
All travel guides →Planning a trip where Montreal Smoked Meat is on the menu? These guides cover Canada and beyond.
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience with Montreal Smoked Meat.
Write a review
Sign in to verify you're a real person, then share your thoughts on Montreal Smoked Meat.
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to say something about Montreal Smoked Meat.