Buying Brisket

[CRO]

How long can you keep it in the original cryovac for, not frozen?

[Huskee]

Look for the packing date, not the sell by or use by. Most packer briskets are labeled with "packed on" date, and if they're not, ask the butcher because sometimes the box they came in is. From that date the most common time frames to 'wet age' or in other words keep in the fridge until cooking, is 28-32 days. Jerod has gone 40+ I believe.

If you order from a supplier like Snake River farms, their briskets are wet aged 28 days before freezing (they'll state it if they are), so in such a case once you thaw one of those, it's best to dry brine immediately and cook w/in a few days.

[Spinaker]

I usually take mine to 30-40 days. I have only had one that "ballooned" on me. Something must have been in the cryovac before they sealed it up. I opened the meat fridge one day and noticed it. I gingerly took it out and threw it. But that sucker was about to blow!! I am talking the plastic was stretch to the limit. This is the only one I have had do this however. I almost always have two Prime Briskets in the fridge wet aging. its an easy way to get some extra flavor and tenderness.

[BigBear]

That would have been nasty if that thing had blown! You skated on that one bud.

[Spinaker]

Oh man, I can't even imagine how terrible that would have been. I'm thinking that I would have just thrown the whole fridge out if that happened. BigBear

[Jerod Broussard]

Be careful of pink briskets indicating the bag is busted. They are a really bright pink and really stand out. You can also feel the bag has some play to it.