There is not much one can do to remedy overcooked meat of any kind. If the brisket is not too badly overcooked, one might be able to salvage a dish by shredding the meat and smothering it in a zesty sauce, similar to pulled pork. The shredded brisket could also be used as an ingredient in western omelets, pizzas, pasta dishes, soups, fried rice, etc. - anywhere leftover meat would typically be used.
Brisket is tough because it comes from a heavily used muscle in the cow. To make it more tender, it can be cooked slowly at a low temperature, such as through braising or smoking, which helps break down the tough connective tissues and make the meat more tender.
Your brisket may be tough because it was cooked for too long at a high temperature, causing the meat fibers to tighten and become chewy. To make it more tender, try cooking it at a lower temperature for a longer period of time, or using a cooking method that involves braising or slow cooking. Additionally, marinating the brisket before cooking can help break down the tough fibers and make it more tender.
Brisket falls apart due to its high collagen content, which breaks down during the long, slow cooking process. As the meat is cooked at low temperatures over several hours, the collagen transforms into gelatin, creating a tender and moist texture. Additionally, the muscle fibers within the brisket relax and separate, making it easy to pull apart. This combination of factors results in the characteristic tenderness of well-cooked brisket.
A 45-pound brisket typically yields about 30-35% of its weight in cooked meat after trimming and cooking. This means you can expect approximately 13 to 16 pounds of cooked brisket. As a general guideline, cooked brisket serves about 0.5 pounds per person, so a 45-pound brisket can feed approximately 26 to 32 people, depending on portion sizes and whether other dishes are served.
For 25 people, you should plan on about 1/2 pound of cooked brisket per person, so you'll need approximately 12.5 pounds of cooked brisket. Since brisket typically loses about 30% of its weight during cooking, you'll want to start with around 18-20 pounds of raw brisket. This will ensure that everyone has enough to enjoy, considering some may want seconds.
The amount of BBQ brisket you need depends on the number of servings required. Generally, you can estimate about 0.5 to 0.75 pounds of cooked brisket per person. For example, if you’re serving 10 people, you would need approximately 5 to 7.5 pounds of cooked brisket. Keep in mind that brisket shrinks during cooking, so starting with a larger raw weight (around 1 pound per person) is advisable.
Brisket is a cut of meat from the breast or lower chest of beef cattle, known for its rich flavor and tenderness when cooked properly. It is traditionally used in various cuisines, particularly in barbecue and slow-cooked dishes, where its marbling allows it to become tender and juicy. The purpose of brisket in cooking is to provide a hearty and flavorful protein option, often served in slices or as part of sandwiches. Additionally, it is a popular choice for gatherings and celebrations due to its ability to serve many people.
Rear quarters tend to be more tender. In beef cattle, brisket comes from the front and sirloin from the back.
To serve 700 people, you'll typically need about 0.5 pounds of cooked brisket per person, which accounts for shrinkage during cooking. This means you'll require approximately 350 pounds of cooked brisket. Since brisket loses about 30% of its weight during cooking, you'll need about 500 pounds of raw brisket to yield the desired amount.
Cooked brisket should not be unrefrigerated for more than 2 hours. At that point, it should be re-heated or refrigerated.
2 hours
5 to 10 pounds in one cut is the normal range.