brisket cut

JPhilip

Been looking for my first brisket to do memorial day for the extended family.  I have been all over town to high end grocery, low end grocery, and butcher shops looking for a "packer brisket".  They look at me like I have two heads.  Mostly what is on offer is 4.5-5 lbs which looks like just the flat to me.  One butcher (at a butcher shop) said what I was looking for is called a "commodity brisket" which he didnt sell because nobody buys those things because they dont want to pay for all the fat that you just throw away.  Costco did have what they called a packer brisket but it was 21 pounds so I didnt even go look.  I ended up buying the cut in the pictures.  To me, this looks like a large flat.  It weighs 8.8 lbs was $8.5/lb.  If you look closely, it looks like the grain runs all in one direction.  I will be cooking this guy on memorial day but would like to know if I got the correct cut or I need to search further next time

lkapigian

Should have bought the 21 pounder, you will never have to much ...can't tell from,the picture it all Flat....is there a discernable fat line that would desperate the flat from the point 

SmokeyPitt

You are correct- that is a flat. I am in the southeast and I have never seen it labeled "packer" brisket. I think that may be more BBQ vernacular. In my area it is labeled as "whole brisket. 

One place you could check is Sam's club or Walmart:

https://www.samsclub.com/sams/case-sale-whole-beef-brisket-choice/prod17170006.ip?xid=plp:product:1:1

That flat can still be great though. Since you have it- cook it up. 

JPhilip

Thanks. Bummed but it will get cooked up tomorrow 

Woodchunk

You will be fine. I just smoked my first flat about 3 weeks ago,6lb at 250'.  I used the search feature on here and read hundreds of threads. I put mine in a marinade for 2 days then on the egg. Wrapped with foil at 162 and checked with toothpicks at 190, 195, and 201. It was tender all over at 201. Wrapped and placed in a cooler for 2 hours then sliced. It was excellent, very tender. We put some beef base and wine in the foil.