How to tell when brisket flats are tender

dldawes1

There have been an unusually high volume of questions from new folks here on how to tell when brisket flats, when cooked alone, not whole briskets, and without the fat cap or point, are tender and ready to be pulled off the smoker.

I know some folks here on the forum like cooking the flat only, less fat, more nutritious protein, and maybe even just more of a challenge even to the eggsperienced egghead.

Gently lay a horseshoe in the smoker with the flat. The directions I read said the horseshoe needed to be at the same level as the flat, and do not wrap in HDAF or pink butcher paper.  When the horseshoe is tender enough to eat.....the flat will be tender enough to eat !!!!

Buy whole briskets !

Theophan

dldawes1 said:

... When the horseshoe is tender enough to eat.....the flat will be tender enough to eat !!!!

Buy whole briskets !

That was funny!  

But in my area, I've never even SEEN a whole packer for sale, just flats.  I know I could order one from SRF or elsewhere, might, some day, but it's usually just me and my wife, and these days she's trying to eat a super healthy anti-cancer diet (she had melanoma <shudder> and is trying to do everything she can to prevent a recurrence), so it's very little meat at all, but NO red meat.  So let's see, a whole packer for one old guy...  I know, I could freeze it.  But I don't think it'd ever be the same.  So the only briskets I've ever cooked have been flats.  And most of them turned out pretty well, I think.

Shiff

Theophan said:

But in my area, I've never even SEEN a whole packer for sale, just flats.  I know I could order one from SRF or elsewhere, might, some day, but it's usually just me and my wife, and these days she's trying to eat a super healthy anti-cancer diet (she had melanoma <shudder> and is trying to do everything she can to prevent a recurrence), so it's very little meat at all, but NO red meat.  So let's see, a whole packer for one old guy...  I know, I could freeze it.  But I don't think it'd ever be the same.  So the only briskets I've ever cooked have been flats.  And most of them turned out pretty well, I think.

@Theophan ,
Where are you located?  Someone in your area might be able to tell you where to get a packer brisket.  I've frozen brisket leftovers and they reheat quite well.

chadpsualum

So if I probe the horseshoe and it doesn't "probe like buttah" then I should go another hour or so?  Makes sense.

dldawes1

Theophan,,definately no insult intended. When my friend told me that joke, I almost died laughing. 

The Egg can make anything come out great...even flats !!!

I like cooking the corned beef flats....I haven't eggsperimented with starting out from scratch, though !

Bart1434

I am located in Connecticut and have never came across any full packers (rather depressing).  If anyone on here is from around the same area and has any spots please share!  I asked the butcher at my local Costco and he tried telling me there is no such thing as a full "packer" brisket, that they only sell flats.

fishlessman

i think thats a recipe for horsey brisket

Shiff

Bart1434 said:

I am located in Connecticut and have never came across any full packers (rather depressing).  If anyone on here is from around the same area and has any spots please share!  I asked the butcher at my local Costco and he tried telling me there is no such thing as a full "packer" brisket, that they only sell flats.

@Bart1434 ,
There are Restaurant Depot stores in Orange and Hartford. Don't know if either of these is near you,  Costco around here doesn't carry full packer briskets either but they do know that they exist. The meat manager tried to get the corporate decision makers to get in some packer briskets, but they turned him down.

Bart1434

@shiff the restaurant depot in Orange is really close, I was looking into getting my KCBS card - do you know if the membership card allows you to go to restaurant depot multiple times, or is it just a one time use?

Thatgrimguy

@bart1434  You get a one day pass. But you can get a new one day pass everytime you go with the KCBS card. (so unlimited one day passes)

Bart1434

@thatgrimguy - thanks sorry if that was a novice question, just ordered one and looking forward to trying it out.

Thatgrimguy

Bart1434 said:

@thatgrimguy - thanks sorry if that was a novice question, just ordered one and looking forward to trying it out.

It's all good. Most here have no idea how it works. It's a really great incentive to join an already great association. KCBS does a lot for charity and if you ever get interested in competition it's the best sanctioning body in the country.

FarmerTom

You had me on that one Donnie. I was wondering what the he]] you were going to do with that horseshoe, but then this was the same guy wanting to cook some raccoon, so who knows.  Still laughing!!!!!!

Shiff

Bart1434 said:

@shiff the restaurant depot in Orange is really close, I was looking into getting my KCBS card - do you know if the membership card allows you to go to restaurant depot multiple times, or is it just a one time use?

@Bart1434 ,
Sounds like you're all set for Restaurant Depot.  KCBS is a good way to get the day pass but if you are involved with any business (doesn't have to be a food business) just bring some proof to RD and they will give you a card.  Be sure to bring a jacket with you when you visit the store since the meat cooler is very cold (and large).

milesvdustin

My local kroger had a 6.6 pound flat for 45 dollars. I got a 14.8 pound packer at sams for a few bucks less. 

TN_Sister_State

Now thats funny.....