By Fraya Berg for Food Network Kitchen
There are so many questions that follow "what is brisket?". Where does it come from? Are the two kinds of brisket? How to cook brisket?, and once you’ve got that down, how do you slice a brisket? Let’s start at the very beginning, and then highlight how to cook brisket in an oven, in a slow cooker and on a grill. In the end, you'll know how to make brisket for any occasion.
What Part of the Cow Is Brisket?
A full brisket is a single cut of beef, and each cow has two: one on each side, just above the front shanks and below the chuck. The confusion comes from when you’re standing in front of the meat case, and see three different-looking pieces of meat, and they all say beef brisket. A full beef brisket is two pieces of meat that make up the whole. The butcher takes the brisket apart and trims it so that you have the choice between the leaner piece, usually called the flat brisket or first cut, and the more marbled piece with the most fat, often called the brisket point or second cut. The flat brisket is traditionally prepared on Jewish holidays, turned into corned beef or sometimes used in pho. The point brisket is the classic cut that's cooked in barbecue. All brisket, no matter which cut you choose, is a tough cut of meat that needs to be cooked low and slow: think oven, slow cooker or indirect heat on a grill.
Cuts of Brisket
Brisket is made up of the flat cut and the point cut.
- Flat Cut or the First Cut: this cut is a large rectangle that's even in thickness. It is typically called for in brisket recipes that will be sliced, such as Jewish briskets.
- Point Cut, Second Cut or Deckle: this cut has a rounded point on one end, is uneven in thickness and has more fat marbling than the first cut. It's typically called for in barbecue brisket recipes or recipes that will be shredded.
How to Cook Brisket
Brisket is a cut of meat that needs to be cooked at a low temperature for a long time, so we’re talking about a braise. Here are some general tips and tricks. If you’re cooking a brisket flat or a brisket point on its own, it will cook in 3 to 3 1/2 hours. A whole brisket may take an extra hour. Be sure to check 30 minutes before the time is up: the brisket should be fork-tender and still juicy. Over cooking will dry it out. Your best bet is to cook your brisket the day before you’ll be slicing and serving it. Let it cool in the sauce that is in the pot, cover and refrigerate overnight. The next day it will be really easy to remove all of the solidified fat from the top and discard it. Slicing the brisket cold is your best option for nice, even slices.
How to Cook Brisket In the Oven
If you have a casserole dish, this is the time to use it, but if you don’t, no worries. A shallow roasting pan covered with tinfoil will work. It’s actually possible to perfectly cook a brisket double wrapped in tinfoil with some veggies and sauce over night in an oven set to 105 degrees C.
- Sear the brisket first. Sear the brisket all over to caramelise the meat and develop flavour before slow cooking it.
- Submerge the brisket in liquid and add aromatics. The liquid can be anything: broth, wine, ketchup, BBQ sauce, beer - you name it. You'll get extra flavour by adding ingredients like onions, garlic and herbs.
- Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- Cover and transfer to a 105 degrees C oven. Now walk away! After 3 hours, start testing with a paring knife or fork to see if it's falling apart tender.
How to Cook Brisket In a Slow Cooker
One of the reasons so many cooks love using a slow cooker for brisket is because you put the ingredients in, set it and forget it. But no matter what the recipe says, if you take the time to add a step and sear the brisket before it goes in the slow cooker, you’ll end up with a more flavourful brisket.
How to Cook Brisket In an Instant Pot
Cooking a brisket in an Instant Pot is similar to cooking a brisket in a slow cooker. It’s a bit more convenient because you can sear and cook in the same pot. Then the pressure setting makes it faster, and who can complain about that?
How to Smoke and BBQ Brisket
Braising a brisket is a low temperature, slow process. Smoking a brisket takes a lot longer.
- Give the brisket a dry rub overnight. A crust of spices with a bit of sugar will develop flavour, and the fat inside will tenderise the meat as it cooks.
- Prepare your smoker or grill. You can use a dedicated smoker, a charcoal grill with wet wood chips or a gas grill with wet wood chips set for indirect heat. It’s important to note that BBQ is the process of low, slow dry heat cooking. Grilling is high heat, fast cooking, it’s not BBQ.
- Cook the brisket for 7 to 10 hours. Add the brisket, cover the grill and adjust the vents to maintain a temperature between 90 degrees C and 120 degrees C. Rotate the brisket every few hours and add more charcoal and wood chips every 45 minutes to keep the temperature steady. Cook until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the brisket registers 85 degrees C to 93 degrees C, 7 1/2 to 10 hours.
How to Slice Brisket
No matter what method you use to cook your brisket, if you don’t slice it correctly when it’s done cooking, eating it won’t be an enjoyable eating experience. For starters, slicing across the grain is key.
Brisket Recipes
Texas BBQ Braised Beef Brisket
This brisket marinates overnight with Texas spice and sauce. And in true Texas style, it really is BBQ: long and slow over coals and wet wood chips to give it some smoke, too.
The Ultimate Braised Brisket
Braising in red wine brings another depth to this brisket. Serve over parsnip puree with roasted red onions and garnish with some parsley for a perfect, hearty dinner.
South-Western Pulled Brisket Sandwiches
This South-Western Pulled Brisket Sandwiches recipe will give you everything you want in a meaty lunch. Succulent brisket and tangy, sweet sauce stuffed into a soft bun.
Slow-Cooker Braised Brisket (Machaca)
Marinated in a zesty sauce, this melt-in-your-mouth brisket can be used to fill burritos, tacos, tostadas or sandwiches!
