Where to Split a Brisket

watertank

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Hey Folks,

 

Wife wants barbacoa in the crock pot so I’m going to barbacoa 5-7 lbs and smoke the other.

Looking for recommendations on where to divide the sections and what portion (side) should go to what process.

 

I’m a rookie on both…hoping I don’t screw both of them up!

lousubcap

I'm a rookie WRT barbacoa so no answer there but here is a great brisket link that defines the sections of a brisket and how to indentify, separate and much more-

http://www.amazingribs.com/recipes/beef/texas_brisket.html 

 

 

nolaegghead

You could separate the point from the flat.  What I did when I turned a packer brisket into corned beef was cut it roughly in half and put the point side on the grill (pastrami) and cooked the flat-only side on the stove. 

The flat dries out easier on the egg, so purpose that for the barbacoa.

Shiff

Also this link can be very useful

http://playingwithfireandsmoke.blogspot.com/1996/03/brisket.html

The Cen-Tex Smoker

You could separate the point from the flat.  What I did when I turned a packer brisket into corned beef was cut it roughly in half and put the point side on the grill (pastrami) and cooked the flat-only side on the stove. 

The flat dries out easier on the egg, so purpose that for the barbacoa.

I like this. I would cut it in half width wise where it really starts to get thicker. You will have the point side to smoke and the flat side to braise. Traditional barbacoa is cheek meat which would be more like the point but I would still do it this way if you were bent on using the brisket for both.

Cheek meat is very high in fat and it has a grain that runs multiple ways like a brisket point. It braises up very well

watertank

Thanks everyone, point it is!

 

CT, looks like the americanized way is brisket.  With the popularity of Chipolte that'd be a lot of cheeks.  We'll see how it goes, hoping for something like Torchy's!

 

Shiff, nice read on the link.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

Thanks everyone, point it is!

 

CT, looks like the americanized way is brisket.  With the popularity of Chipolte that'd be a lot of cheeks.  We'll see how it goes, hoping for something like Torchy's!

 

Shiff, nice read on the link.

If you are talking about the Democrat Taco at Torchy's, that's definitely brisket and you should be able to get pretty close. One of my favorites. Try a trashy trailer park next time you are there. heaven on a plate

watertank

That's the one!  Never had the trashy trailer park, I'll give it a go next time.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

That's the one!  Never had the trashy trailer park, I'll give it a go next time.

Fried chicken, queso and pico in a taco. What could possibly go wrong?