Brisket is a delicious cut of beef that can be enjoyed in many different ways. In this article, we’ll share some tips on how to rest a brisket properly so that you can serve up the most succulent and flavorful meat possible. Whether you’re smoking it for a barbecue, braising it for a hearty meal resting your brisket after cooking is essential to ensure that it’s juicy and tender. Regardless if you are an experienced pitmaster or just starting out with your first brisket, these tips will help you achieve mouthwatering results every time. So let’s get started!
Why Does A Brisket Need To Rest?
Brisket is a flavorful cut of meat that requires precision and patience to cook perfectly. One essential step in cooking brisket is letting it rest after cooking. But why does a brisket need to rest?
When meat is cooked, the heat causes the juices inside to move towards the center of the cut. Resting allows those juices to redistribute throughout the brisket, giving it more flavor and moisture.
Resting also helps tenderize the meat by allowing it to cool down slowly. When meat cools too quickly, it can become tough and chewy. Resting meat for at least 15-20 minutes allows the muscles to relax and become more tender but when resting a brisket we are looking at more between 1-2 hours for a rest. The larger size of a brisket is partially why we let it rest much longer than other cuts of meat.
Another benefit of resting brisket is that it makes slicing easier and more consistent. If you try to slice hot brisket right out of the oven or smoker, you risk shredding or tearing apart the meat fibers. Allowing it to rest first ensures a clean slice every time.
Resting your cooked brisket is crucial for optimal flavor, texture, and presentation. Don’t rush this important step, it is no less important than any other step in cooking a brisket.
How To Rest A Brisket
Resting a brisket after cooking is crucial to achieving juicy, tender meat. Here are some tips on how to rest a brisket perfectly:
- Remove the brisket from the heat source. Take it out of the heat source once the internal temperature reaches somewhere in the range of 195° to 205°. You are always looking for probe tender when pulling the brisket from the smoker.
- Wrap it tightly: Wrap the brisket tightly in foil or butcher paper and let it rest for at least 30 minutes up to two hours. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat and keep it moist. You may have already wrapped the brisket during the smoke but if by chance you did not, now would be the time to wrap it.
- Keep it warm: If you’re not ready to serve your brisket immediately after resting time, you can place it in a cooler or insulated container with towels or blankets around it to keep it warm and let it rest. If placing the brisket in a cooler, before doing so, fill the cooler with hot water and close it. Do this about 30 minutes before placing the brisket in the cooler. Before placing the brisket in, empty the water and then layer in any towels you will be using. The heat from the hot water, just adds another layer of heat that will help keep the brisket warm during the rest period and longer if needed.
- Slice against the grain: When you’re ready to slice your rested brisket, be sure to cut against the grain for maximum tenderness.
- Enjoy! Serve your perfectly rested brisket with your favorite sides and enjoy!
Remember that every cut of meat is different, so use a meat thermometer and adjust your cook time accordingly based on its weight and thickness. The resting period is just as important as the steps when preparing a delicious and juicy brisket! The ThermoPro TP20 is a great unit for checking temperatures.
Another option for resting a brisket is turn the oven on for 160°, some oven’s only go as low as 170°, so get it to either of those, keep it wrapped and you can let it rest that way for an hour or two and then longer if you are running ahead of schedule.
FAQ’s For Resting A Brisket
How long to let brisket rest before cutting?
You want to let the brisket actually rest for one hour maybe two on the long side. The rest period is just as important as any other step in the cooking process of a smoked brisket.
Why do I need to let a brisket rest?
You want the juices made from the collagen and muscle fibers to thicken back up and redistribute in the brisket. Not allowing that to happen will have you to lose too much of the juices while cutting the brisket.
What should I wrap my brisket in?
You will want to wrap in either aluminum foil or butcher paper.
What temp to rest brisket in oven?
Go for 160°-170° is what you are looking for.
How can I rest other meats?
These methods to resting beef brisket will also work for similar meats, a chuck roast or pork butts are two common meats that need longer rest times.
Wrapping Up, How To Rest A Brisket
Resting a brisket after it has been cooked is an essential step that can make or break the quality of your meat. By allowing the brisket to rest for at least one hour before slicing, you give it time to reabsorb its juices and redistribute them evenly throughout the meat. This results in a tender and juicy final product that will impress any guest.
Whether you choose to have your brisket wrapped in foil or butcher paper, place it in a cooler or oven, or simply leave it on the counter, on the cutting board, make sure not to skip this important step. With these tips and tricks in mind, you’ll be able to master the art of resting a brisket like a pro!
Thanks for being here and checking out this How To Rest A Brisket article. I hope you enjoy it! We always appreciate comments, 5 star recipe rating and social media shares. As always, keep that smoke rolling!
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