What Is Beef Brisket?

Beef brisket is one of those cuts that has become hugely popular over the last few years, especially with the rise of low and slow cooking, BBQ and pulled beef. If you have ever wondered exactly what brisket is, where it comes from, or why everyone seems to get so excited about it, you are in the right place.

Brisket is a boneless beef cut taken from the breast or lower chest of the animal. Because this part of the animal does a lot of work supporting weight, brisket is naturally a tougher cut with plenty of connective tissue. That might not sound especially glamorous, but it is exactly what makes brisket so good when cooked properly.

Given enough time, that connective tissue breaks down and the fat renders beautifully, leaving you with tender, juicy beef that is packed with flavour. That is why brisket is such a favourite for slow roasting, braising, pot roasting, smoking and pulled beef recipes.

What part of the cow is brisket?

Brisket comes from the forequarter of the animal, specifically the lower chest area beneath the chuck. It is a hard-working muscle, which is why it has a firmer texture than roasting cuts like sirloin or rib of beef.

Unlike steaks or quick-cook roasting joints, brisket is not a cut you want to rush. It needs time and gentle heat to really come into its own. Treat it right and it rewards you with deep beefy flavour and a lovely soft texture.

What does beef brisket taste like?

Brisket has a rich, full beef flavour. Because it contains a good amount of fat and connective tissue, it develops a beautiful depth of taste during cooking. It is one of those cuts that really tastes like beef.

When cooked low and slow, brisket becomes soft and succulent, making it ideal for slicing, shredding or pulling apart. It is less delicate than something like fillet, but far more robust and satisfying in slow-cooked dishes.

What is beef brisket used for?

Beef brisket is best known as a slow-cooking cut. It is commonly used for pot roasts, braises, casseroles, smoked BBQ brisket and pulled beef. Because it becomes so tender when cooked properly, it is also perfect for serving in baps, wraps, tacos or alongside mash and gravy.

At True Bites, brisket is one of our favourite cuts for proper comfort food. It is brilliant for family cooking and ideal if you want a joint that can go a long way.

• Slow roasted brisket
• Pot roast beef brisket
• Smoked brisket
• Pulled beef brisket
• Braised beef dishes

If you fancy trying it for yourself, have a look at our Pulled Beef Brisket Recipe.

Is brisket a tender cut?

Not to begin with, no. Brisket is naturally a tougher cut because it comes from a well-used muscle. That said, this is completely normal, and it is exactly why brisket should be cooked slowly rather than quickly.

Cook brisket low and slow and it becomes wonderfully tender. Try to cook it too quickly and it will likely feel chewy and disappointing. Brisket is definitely a cut that rewards patience.

How do you cook beef brisket?

The best way to cook beef brisket is low and slow. This can be done in the oven, in a slow cooker, in a covered roasting dish, or on the BBQ if you are smoking it. A little stock, seasoning and time are usually all you need to turn brisket into something excellent.

For most home cooks, a long, gentle oven cook is the simplest option. You can also braise brisket in stock or sauce until the meat becomes tender enough to pull apart with forks.

If you are after something easy and seriously tasty, our Pulled Beef Brisket Recipe is a great place to start.

What is the difference between brisket and braising steak?

Both brisket and braising steak are brilliant slow-cooking cuts, but they are not exactly the same thing. Brisket comes specifically from the breast or lower chest of the animal, whereas braising steak can come from a few different hard-working parts such as chuck or blade.

Brisket is usually sold as a larger joint, making it ideal for roasting, pot cooking or pulling. Braising steak is normally sold in smaller pieces or slices, which makes it more suited to stews, casseroles and pies.

Is beef brisket good value?

Yes, brisket is generally excellent value, especially when you compare it to premium roasting joints or steaks. It is a cut that gives you loads of flavour without the higher price tag that comes with more tender prime cuts.

It is also a great cut for batch cooking, feeding the family, or cooking once and using the leftovers in different meals.

FAQs

Is brisket beef or pork?

Brisket is beef. It comes from the lower chest of the cow. If you hear people talking about brisket, they are almost always referring to beef brisket.

Can you cook brisket in a slow cooker?

Yes, absolutely. Brisket works really well in a slow cooker. In fact, it is one of the easiest ways to cook it, as the long gentle cooking helps break the meat down beautifully.

Can you roast brisket?

Yes, but it should be roasted slowly and ideally covered for most of the cooking time so it does not dry out. Brisket is not a quick roast like rib or sirloin.

Why is brisket so popular?

Brisket is popular because it has fantastic flavour and becomes wonderfully tender when cooked low and slow. It is also very versatile and works equally well in roasts, BBQ, sandwiches and pulled beef recipes.

What do you serve with beef brisket?

That depends on how you cook it, but brisket is excellent with mashed potato, roast potatoes, vegetables, slaw, rolls, Yorkshire puddings or chips. Pulled brisket also works brilliantly in buns, wraps and tacos.

Final thoughts

So, what is beef brisket? In simple terms, it is a hardworking cut of beef from the lower chest that is packed with flavour and perfect for slow cooking. It is not a cut to rush, but if you give it the time it needs, brisket can be one of the most rewarding beef cuts to cook.

If you would like to try it for yourself, you can shop our beef brisket online here, or take a look at our Pulled Beef Brisket Recipe for a great place to start.