Is there such a thing as dry brining for TOO long?

[cornbiscuits]

I had my brisket dry brining in the fridge for 5 days, and when I pulled it out this morning, it was kinda dry and hard. Will it still be moist after I cook it?

[cornbiscuits]

Anybody?

[EdF]

I can only make a guess. I'd say yes, but make sure you wash it off well before adding rub or cooking.

[TheCountofQ]

I've never brined that long. Maybe 3 days, and wrapped. Lots of people salt, vacuum seal, and freeze. I don't wrap whole chickens, since I want the skin to dry some. Even that is typically overnight.

it sounds to me as if you may have moved into a dry aging type of thing though, which I've not done either, as it is risky if you don't do it absolutely correctly. I think it involves cutting away a portion of the crusty meat off of the exterior.

I can't really answer if it will be moist. Personally, if the meat doesn't look "healthy" I would have to scrap it.

[FireMan]

Hey, I know one thing, if nobody knew, we will when you are finished.
A guess might have it that after 5 days the dryness may be somewhat external. Now a week or two, well......

[Spinaker]

You will be just fine. Don't rinse it off or anything. There is nothing wrong with it, as long as it doesn't smell bad. I have done a week ing brine before, no problems.

[TheCountofQ]

Spinaker, When you brine that long, do you wrap to keep it from drying out?

[Spinaker]

Nope. I just let it go as normal. Maybe on some of the very edges, its a bit drier but Not to the point where I feel like I need to do something about it. TheCountofQ

[fzxdoc]

I've dry brined chuck roast for pulled beef for 5 days or more, due to circumstances that did not let me smoke them when I wanted to. They turned out great. I did not rinse them since I used Meatheads BBBR with no salt. They were covered in the fridge, not left open to the drying refrigerator air (not to mention the smells).

Kathryn

[cornbiscuits]

It's seemed purely external. I am about 3.5 hrs in and it is sweating real nice and still looks delicious, so I will just let u know the outcome. This is my first brisket so I really don't have anything to compare it to

[Spinaker]

She's looking good. Keep on letting her roll.