Was a mistake to try to thaw a brisket

[Lynn Dollar]

I put a 15# brisket in the fridge to thaw yesterday for smoking later this week. Weather forecast is now calling for rain from Friday and on into next week. I'd like to put it back in the freezer , right now. Can I do that safely and not ruin the brisket ?

[SheilaAnn]

How much has it slacked out? Is it vacuum sealed?

[J-Melt]

If it’s still frozen solid, you are just fine!

[Mosca]

What he said. In my house that would go right back in the freezer without a second thought.

For reference, when you buy frozen briskets online, they sometimes arrive partially thawed. The rule of thumb is 40° or lower. You are far, far below that.

[Lynn Dollar]

Mosca , that's very true about the shipped meats.

[Duanessmokedmeats]

Buy a canopy and put it over your smoker.

[Finster]

Lynn Dollar
Truth.
It just happened to me on Easter. Rain with light wind forecast for midmorning through early afternoon. Put my canopy up early in the morning before the rain came. Around 11ish a storm blew through and destroyed my canopy (snapped one of the legs) 😡😭.
It lasted less than 5 minutes but winds were strong enough to blow over my small Blackstone.... which has happened before.

[Lynn Dollar]

Finster its storm season in Oklahoma. The canopy could end up further away than a few houses, it could be in the next county.

Getting caught trying to feed splits to my offset with tornado sirens going off, is not on my list of things I'd like to do.

I don't know what I was thinking that I could thaw a brisket this time of year. Weather here is just far too unstable.

[Santamarina]

When I lived in CA the canopy idea is exactly what I’d do. Here in TN…there’s no outdoor cooking in a storm.

First time we had one of these “little storms” it picked up my 36” Blackstone - steel top and all - and dropped it upside down in the grass about 15’ off my patio.

[Oak Smoke]

IMHO you can refreeze it. You could also drop it down to the lowest shelf in the fridge and wet age it for a few weeks. As long as it’s still vacuum sealed it should be fine. It can make a wonderful difference in a brisket.

[Duanessmokedmeats]

You could cut it up and put into a big pan and boil it...

[mrteddyprincess]

Or microwave. Don't forget microwaving as an option.

[Ace]

Cruel... Funny, but Cruel. 😂 😂 😂

[bbqLuv]

Duanessmokedmeats
Boii it you say? How can you say that when it is not Ribs.
I am so disappointed, haven't we learned anything on AR?

[captainlee]

I'VE had to do that quite often with all types of meats. I just do it and not worry about it. I know that it isn't the best thing harming the cell structure but you gotta do what you gotta do, no harm.

[Spinaker]

If it is vac sealed that baby will be fine for a long time before it goes bad. I've held vac-sealed briskets in my fridge for 60+days with out issue.

[Santamarina]

Sounds like you got your answer about refreezing - ok since it was still frozen hard.

If it was mostly/completely thawed I wouldn't refreeze with the intent of smoking it later. That brisket would become chili, pot roast, meat sauce, or get ground for burgers.

[gcdmd]

If smoking isn't an option, and you have your heart set on brisket, you can braise it, like a pot roast.

[Lynn Dollar]

No thanks. Besides, its back in the fridge.