Montreal Smoked Meat Hash

Turn a Canadian favorite, Montreal smoked meat, into a delicious breakfast dish in just a few minutes! Montreal Smoked Meat Hash is meaty, tasty, and loaded with flavor. It’s also easy to make and cooks quickly, so you can feast on a hearty breakfast or brunch in no time!

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I love breakfast hashes. They’re so easy, especially when you use frozen shredded potatoes. You can use frozen hashbrowns, the little tiny cubed potatoes, but they take longer to cook, and honestly, I find that the shredded potatoes get crispier. And breakfast hashes are all about the crisp factor!

What is Montreal Smoked Meat

Montreal smoked meat is a Canadian delicacy, similar to pastrami but with its own unique flavor. It’s made from beef brisket that is cured with spices and smoked, creating a deep, complex flavor. The meat is typically steamed before serving, making it tender and juicy. You can buy it whole or sliced. If you can’t find a whole chunk, ask your deli counter to cut off a 1-inch piece instead of slicing it thin for sandwiches.

Ingredients

• Frozen shredded potatoes – You’ll need about 6 cups or 24-30 ounces.
• Oil – A high-temperature flavor-neutral oil like canola or grapeseed oil is best.
• Onion – I use brown/yellow cooking onions. You could use a sweet onion or even shallots.
• Green bell pepper – I like the flavor of green bell peppers in this dish, but you could add red or yellow peppers.
• Montreal Smoked Meat – ½-inch or smaller dice. You want the cubes small enough to fit on a fork with all the other flavors.
• Salt and pepper – To taste. I cook with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Taste before seasoning because the cheese will add salt, and the meat can be a bit salty, too.
• Cheddar cheese – Sharp cheddar cheese is perfect for this dish, but any kind will work. Pre-shredded cheese will cut down on your prep.
• Parsley – Finely chopped. You can skip this, but fresh herbs on top add color and a welcome flavor.

How to Make Montreal Smoked Meat Hash

1. Add the oil to a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add the frozen shredded potatoes and cook for 5-6 minutes or until they start to brown. Stir frequently.
2. Add the onion to the skillet and continue cooking for 3-4 minutes or until the onion starts to soften.
3. Add the diced bell pepper and diced Montreal smoked meat, and cook 2-3 minutes or until heated through and peppers start to soften.
4. Remove from the heat and top with cheddar cheese and parsley.
5. Serve with a fried egg on top, if you like or a dollop of sour cream.

Chef Jenn’s Tips

• You can use diced hashbrown potatoes, but they’ll take longer to cook and won’t get quite as brown.
• No Montreal smoked meat? Make this hash with pastrami instead. It has a similar flavor.
• Use the biggest skillet you have so that the potatoes get nice and crisp.
• Switch up the cheese – use whatever you have on hand!
• Add other veggies like radish, fennel, carrot, mushrooms – whatever you’ve got in the fridge!

Recommended

Make It A Meal

Montreal Smoked Meat Hash is tasty and easy. I love pairing it with a breakfast scone, or if I’m feeding a crowd, I’ll also serve a breakfast casserole. You can serve this for lunch or dinner with a nice salad and tangy dressing or just a side of cut fruit.

Storage

Leftover hash can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For reheating, simply warm it in a skillet over medium heat until heated through. Freezing is not recommended for this dish as the texture of the potatoes may change.