Need an idea for a brisket

[Baltimorelger]

I have a whole brisket I’m defrosting in my fridge as we speak. I want to try something different than the traditional Texas style brisket cook. Any one have any suggestions? In my own research I found a chopped Mexican brisket recipe from ATBBQ and a “brisket rib” recipe from Cooking with Ry. I wanted to turn to the pit to see if anyone else had any out there ideas or twists or new approaches to consider. Anything goes and excited to see what people suggest.

[texastweeter]

Pastrami

[Stuey1515]

Yup 👍

[STEbbq]

Pastrami is a great choice. Try searching for Korean, Thai, and Chinese rubs and takes on brisket. Go for a spicy one!

[RonB]

How 'bout some Mexican rubs. You will be halfway to tacos when ya pull it off the cooker.

[barelfly]

I say cook it as normal and then use it for everything but normal brisket! As RonB says - tacos!!!!!!!!

and then there’s brisket grilled cheese like Mosca just cooked up. Then brisket enchiladas, brisket quesadillas….


I could go one like Bubba from Bubba Gump…….

[ecowper]

LOL look at my post just below. I do go on like Bubba Gump. Apparently I’m the Bubba Gump of brisket

[ecowper]

Here’s some ideas that I’ve done with brisket …. Corned beef, Pastrami, Ropa Vieja (Cuban), Pho, Korean burnt ends, Texas style brisket, Boeuf à la Mode, Bollito Misto (an Italian dish involving regular brisket, veal brisket, and chicken), Irish Spiced Beef, Bierfleische (German beer braised brisket) are some of the many different ways I’ve done things with brisket. I’ve posted some of them in the pit. Many of these recipes you can find by googling them. Or buy Steven Raichlen’s “The Brisket Chronicles” ….. a fantastic cookbook with about 50 different brisket ideas.

[ecowper]

barelfly try Ropa Vieja …. Amazing

[barelfly]

Yes! Ropa Vieja is amazing as well!!!!!!!!

[ecowper]

Brisket is the original peasant food. SOOOOO many things to do with brisket. The foundation of almost all modern haut cuisine is peasant food.

[Mosca]

Do you want to bbq it, but use different seasonings? Or do you want to cook it a different way?

If you want to cook it a different way, you can have some fun with a little converse purposing: much like people smoke/bbq chuck roasts in place of briskets, you can braise/pot roast a brisket like you would a chuck roast.

I tried a recipe for Jewish deli brisket from Pat LaFrieda that I didn’t find pleasing… but it wasn’t the meat, it was the use of brown sugar, honey, cinnamon and cloves that I didn’t care for. Raichlen’s Jewish deli brisket is much better. It’s in his book The Brisket Chronicles, and I’d rather not cut and paste it; and it’s not on the internet like a lot of them are.

I feel okay giving a general outline, though. You need brisket (4 pound ish flat), some typical herbs and spices (thyme, bay leaf, dill, cloves, salt pepper, etc); typical pot roast vegetables (carrots, celery, parsnips, onion, leeks, etc); water, and a Dutch oven. Trim the brisket, and blanch it in the Dutch oven: cover with cold water by 2”, bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer for 10 minutes, skimming the surface as you go. Pour off the blanching water to where the brisket is half submerged, toss everything else into the Dutch oven, and braise it in the oven at 300°, covered, until it is tender, 2 1/2 - 3 hours.

Honestly, I think you could do it like short ribs, or like a pot roast, or anything like that. You could add red wine, Worcestershire, etc. It’s just a big hunk of meat, it should come out pretty good.

I’d recommend The Brisket Chronicles regardless, it’s a fun read with a lot of good ideas.

[Baltimorelger]

Thank you all for the advice. I’m going to check out brisket chronicles ASAP. Weather permitting this will be cooked outside on a smoker, but I can always do my traditional family Jewish holiday recipe if needed. I’m gonna explore all the options given and circle back with results soon!

[DaveD]

+1 for Jewish style brisket! My lovely bride has made her old family recipe for us several times, and it's really great. The most memorable was when we had a big gathering of family and friends the year that Hanukkah and Thanksgiving fell on the same day for the first time - we called it Thanksgivukkah. Had the brisket and a turkey with heaps of sides and seated 25 at the table. It was epic! Of course, nobody ate for free, they had to listen to me perform Alice's Restaurant afterwards. But everybody was so full, nobody could even move - talk about your captive audience!

[DaveD]

Draznnl Last Thanksgiving Day, I did a livestream where I did my karaoke version, which you can see here if you like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oeh58_20ZDk

My usual thing when I'm doing my livestreams is to start off noodling on something instrumental while folks are arriving. For this, I chose "Thank You" by Led Zep, quite appropriate for Thanksgiving Day, before starting Alice's. Got all dressed up for the occasion too

[Draznnl]

Really enjoyed that performance Dave. Although I must admit I never pictured it as a suit and tie song. More a jeans with a peace sign patch song.

[DaveD]

Draznnl You bet, it's that kinda song... but I wanted to mark the day more than the song I'm plenty grungy for the regular streams! Sweats and t-shirts all the way Thanks so much for checking it out and for your kind words!