Is Subway’s Pastrami Really Made From Pork? Getting to the Meat of the Matter

THE BBQ Pulled Pork trend has reached the fast food sandwich giants Subway. The new Beef Pastrami Melt goes well with this new version. Both were made to give you a taste of New York.

Many companies have their own ideas about what BBQ pulled pork is, so Subway’s attempt was met with some skepticism. When making a pulled pork product, quality really does matter. We all knew the quality wouldn’t be great because it was a fast food chain, and the fact that the squares were crammed onto their small plastic plates only proved it.

However, don’t judge a book by its cover—Subway has done a good job of recreating the American classic. There isn’t a lot of sauce in the portion, but it’s pretty sweet, and you can add more barbecue sauce when they ask you to. The pork is thin, soft, and bristly, which is how the best pulled pork dishes are usually made. The taste is fine overall, but at Subway, each sandwich can be changed in a lot of ways, which can change the taste you may experience. But credit has to go to Subway for making a really decent pulled pork sandwich.

Subway has also tried to make you feel like you’re in New York by making the pastrami sandwich, which is a must-have in the city. The pastrami is a thin cut of meat, usually from beef. It’s advertised as being made with tender beef, American mustard, pickles and melted cheese. Again, you can change this however you want, and Subway has even added a few of their own ideas around the restaurant.

The beef is pretty dry, but the slightly peppered breaded crust gives it flavor. If you’re not a fan of mustard, don’t worry. The mustard is barely tastable but it does give a slight kick every now and again. This kick, on the other hand, probably adds to the flavor instead of taking it away, and it ends this sandwich nicely. While both of the new sandwiches sound good, you might want to look for a coupon because the Beef Pastrami costs almost twice as much as their regular meal deal sandwiches.

BBQ Pulled Pork – £3. 69 (Six Inch Singular) £4. 99 (Six Inch Meal Deal) £5. 69 (Footlong Singular) £6. 99 (Footlong Meal Deal).

Beef Pastrami Melt – £3. 69 (Six Inch Singular) £4. 99 (Six Inch Meal Deal) £5. 69 (Footlong Singular) £6. 99 (Footlong Meal Deal).

Subway’s Big Hot Pastrami sandwich is a fan favorite, delivering smoky, peppery meat layered between fresh bread But rumors have swirled about whether the pastrami is actually made of pork, not beef as many assume With scant information from Subway itself, it’s natural for customers to wonder about the true contents of this iconic sandwich shop staple. In this article, we’ll get to the bottom of whether Subway’s pastrami contains pork or beef.

A Quick Primer on Pastrami

Let’s start with a brief pastrami overview. Pastrami was originally created in Romania as a way to preserve meat before refrigeration. It involves seasoning beef, brining it in a salt solution, smoking it, and steaming it to impart a distinctive spicy, smoky flavor.

Traditionally, pastrami comes from beef navel, brisket, or plate cuts Top delis use high-quality beef to make artisanal pastrami Mass produced versions may use pork or turkey to reduce costs.

On sandwiches, pastrami is typically paired with rye bread, mustard, and pickles. The classic Reuben features pastrami, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing on grilled rye bread.

Getting to the Meat: Pork vs. Beef in Subway’s Pastrami

Here’s the definitive answer: Subway’s pastrami contains 100% beef, not pork, according to the company.

Some speculated it contained pork due to its fatty marbling and milder flavor compared to upscale deli pastrami. However, Subway has stated their pastrami is:

  • Made from premium beef brisket, not lower-cost pork.
  • Slow-cooked to enhance tenderness.
  • Seasoned with spices like garlic, coriander, and black pepper to provide flavor subtleties.

While artisanal pastrami relies on pricier beef cuts, Subway uses brisket – an affordable cut that’s still 100% beef. This keeps costs down while offering a tasty, meaty sandwich.

Why the Meat Matters in Pastrami

Knowing for sure that Subway’s pastrami contains only beef is useful for several important reasons:

  • Religious diets – Judaism and Islam prohibit pork, making beef pastrami acceptable.
  • Vegetarian/vegan – Beef confirms it’s not vegetarian, but also not obscured by mystery meats.
  • Red meat health concerns – If limiting red meat, beef allows tracking intake.
  • Food sensitivities – Those avoiding pork due to allergies know it’s safe to eat.
  • Quality expectations – Fatty, lower-grade pastrami won’t confuse if brisket is known.

By actively marketing its pastrami as “tender, juicy, pepper-crusted beef,” Subway demonstrates transparency about its ingredients. This enables customers to enjoy the sandwich in line with their dietary needs and preferences.

Healthier Substitute Meats and Cheeses

While Subway’s pastrami delivers the beef, some may prefer leaner options. Here are some easy, healthier substitutions:

  • Turkey pastrami – Offers a leaner take on deli flavors.
  • Rotisserie chicken – Lower in saturated fat than red meat.
  • Veggie patty – A meatless choice packed with flavor.
  • Provolone cheese – Milder taste than cheddar with less fat.
  • Swiss cheese – Creamy yet lower in calories than cheddar.

Customizing your cheeses and toppings allows you to healthify your pastrami sandwich while keeping its delicious taste.

Should You Avoid Subway’s Pastrami Completely?

While Subway’s pastrami is not gourmet deli fare, it satisfies cravings with its tender beef brisket and spice-infused taste.

There’s no need to avoid it entirely unless you:

  • Are vegetarian or vegan – the beef makes it incompatible.
  • Have religious dietary restrictions on beef.
  • Are limiting intake of saturated fats or processed meats – as with any deli meat.

For most pastrami enthusiasts, though, Subway’s sandwich delivers when craving that peppery, smoky, meaty flavor. Just opt for leaner cheeses and toppings to lighten it up.

The Verdict on Subway’s Big Hot Pastrami

In conclusion, this investigation has clarified that while some pastrami contains pork, Subway’s Big Hot Pastrami uses only slow-cooked beef brisket.

It may not offer artisanal deli quality, but Subway’s pastrami still satisfies spicy, smoky cravings. Customize cheeses and toppings to suit your diet.

So next time pastrami calls, visit Subway knowing you’ll savor 100% beef. Mystery solved!

is subway pastrami pork

Subway Big Hot Pastrami

FAQ

What is Subway pastrami made of?

If you’re unfamiliar with pastrami, it’s a hunk of beef, typically a brisket or bottom round, that’s been brined, peppered and steamed. It’s usually held in a steam drawer to keep it moist and tender before slicing to order for each sandwich.

Is pastrami sandwich pork?

What Kind of Meat is Pastrami? Pastrami is a deli meat or cold cut made of beef. It can be from different cuts of beef: the navel end of the beef brisket, known as the plate cut, is the most common, but pastrami can also be made from the round and short rib of a cow.

What meat at Subway is not pork?

Which Subway® menu items are pork-free? The following sandwiches and salads are pork free: Meatball marinara, Cold Cut Trio™ (US only), tuna, roast beef, SUBWAY Seafood & Crab ®, turkey breast, steak & cheese, roasted chicken and sweet onion chicken teriyaki.

Is pastrami usually beef or pork?

Pastrami is made from beef brisket that has been cured, coated in spices, cold smoked and then steamed. Pastrami’s thick coat of spices typically includes crushed black pepper, coriander, mustard seeds, garlic and other spices that might be included in a pickling spice mixture.

Does Subway offer a big hot pastrami sandwich?

Subway offers a Big Hot Pastrami Sandwich (6 inch). The sandwich contains Subway’s version of Pastrami, which is a seasoned cousin of Corned Beef. The passage discusses the reviewer’s motivation for trying this sandwich after a disappointing experience with another fast food cured beef sandwich.

Does subway have pastrami?

These range in the “average” range for Subway though the grilled chicken is a healthier option in terms of sodium. Subway does not have pastrami at all locations, but at the locations it does have, you can get a pastrami sandwich with all the fixings. Subway’s pastrami has 130 calories and 9 grams of protein per serving.

Is pastrami made from beef?

Pastrami is made from beef, not pork or other meat. It is mainly cut from the navel region, and it can also be made from the brisket flat. However, there are now non-beef Pastramis available too, but they cannot be called true Pastrami. Only the one that is made from beef navel is the real Pastrami. Want to know everything about this meat?

Does pastrami taste like beef?

The Pastrami at this Subway had a little chew to it, as is typical for Pastrami and Corned Beef. Whether or not it was made from beef is debatable, but it did have flavor. There was an excessive amount of yellow mustard, but spicy deli mustard was not available at this Subway.

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