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How much Brisket do I cook?

FarmerTom
FarmerTom Posts: 685
in EggHead Forum
I'm finally getting back to egging again after some health issues.   And I need some advice.   My fathers family has a large family gathering every summer and Christmas.  Usually around 70 or so including children.  I have been asked to cook brisket.  Seems some thought what I egged for our daughters wedding was particularly good (I think I just got lucky).  But I'm not sure how much to figure on.  I have a cousin that will be bringing lots of chicken ( they own a KFC or two).  And there will be plenty of other dishes.  This family likes to eat and there will be lots of food.  From what I've read on here, I should allow for 50% shrinkage.  I know some of you routinely cook for large gatherings.  How much brisket should I cook?  I'm thinking 2 - 16/18 lbs.  I usually get the USDA prime at Costco.  Is this enough, too much?  I want to have enough, but don't want an entire brisket left over either.  Thanks

Tommy 

Middle of Nowhere, Northern Kentucky
   1 M, 1 XL, a BlackStone,1 old Webber, a Border Collie, a German Shepherd and 3 of her pups, and 2 Yorkies

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Comments

  • Foghorn
    Foghorn Posts: 10,227
    It will partly depend on how good the brisket is.  If it's better than the chicken you might need enough to feed everybody.  That could mean 0.625 pounds/person precooked (but after trimming).  For 70 people that's over 40 pounds.  

    Given that there will be extra food, I think that your estimate seems really reasonable.  Worst case scenario is that you cook it very well and at the end of the meal there are some people eating chicken who are complaining that you didn't cook enough brisket...  That's a pretty good situation.  

    And welcome back to the game.

    XXL BGE, Karebecue, Klose BYC, Chargiller Akorn Kamado, Weber Smokey Mountain, Grand Turbo gasser, Weber Smoky Joe, and the wheelbarrow that my grandfather used to cook steaks from his cattle

    San Antonio, TX

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  • YukonRon
    YukonRon Posts: 17,261
    Foghorn said:
    It will partly depend on how good the brisket is.  If it's better than the chicken you might need enough to feed everybody.  That could mean 0.625 pounds/person precooked (but after trimming).  For 70 people that's over 40 pounds.  

    Given that there will be extra food, I think that your estimate seems really reasonable.  Worst case scenario is that you cook it very well and at the end of the meal there are some people eating chicken who are complaining that you didn't cook enough brisket...  That's a pretty good situation.  

    And welcome back to the game.
    Leftover brisket is great in soups and chili.
    "Knowledge is Good" - Emil Faber

    XL and MM
    Louisville, Kentucky
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  • lousubcap
    lousubcap Posts: 36,814
    Glad you are back here.  Gotta admit with my limited recall it seems all you do are large cooks for big family events  =).  Nothing wrong with that.  
    @Foghorn has done several large cooks.  He has you covered.  
    Louisville; Rolling smoke in the neighbourhood.  Life is too short for light/lite beer!  Seems I'm livin in a transitional period. CHEETO (aka Agent Orange) makes Nixon look like a saint.  
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  • FarmerTom
    FarmerTom Posts: 685
    lousubcap said:
    Glad you are back here.  Gotta admit with my limited recall it seems all you do are large cooks for big family events  =).  Nothing wrong with that.  
    @Foghorn has done several large cooks.  He has you covered.  
    Haven’t really done much for about a year now. Right knee got so bad it was all I could do to half way keep the farm going. Had it replaced in Feb.  Hoping that’s the end of surgeries.  Since the steer got me down in 2010 I’ve had my left pelvis  screwed back together, left knee replaced, left hip replaced, and right knee replaced. I have plans for a grilling shed for my M & XL & Blacksone and a sheet of stainless for a top.  Just gotta get caught up and get it built.  We had our 1st grandchild a year ago in March ( 2 months early, but doing great) and she occupies a lot of our spare time.  But I’m still hoping to keep those eggs warm again. 

    Tommy 

    Middle of Nowhere, Northern Kentucky
       1 M, 1 XL, a BlackStone,1 old Webber, a Border Collie, a German Shepherd and 3 of her pups, and 2 Yorkies

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  • Foghorn
    Foghorn Posts: 10,227
    You've got this.

    You could cook 3 briskets and have about enough to feed everybody.  But then the folks that bring the chicken would see that nobody ate it and they'll feel unappreciated.  That isn't the goal.  I've been on both sides of that scenario and walked away feeling bad regardless of which side I was on.  

    XXL BGE, Karebecue, Klose BYC, Chargiller Akorn Kamado, Weber Smokey Mountain, Grand Turbo gasser, Weber Smoky Joe, and the wheelbarrow that my grandfather used to cook steaks from his cattle

    San Antonio, TX

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  • dldawes1
    dldawes1 Posts: 2,208
    Invite me and I gaurantee you won't have any brisket left over !!!

    Good to hear you brother.

    Donnie Dawes - RNNL8 BBQ - Carrollton, KY  

    TWIN XLBGEs, 1-Beautiful wife, 1 XS Yorkie

    I'm keeping serious from now on...no more joking around from me...Meatheads !! 


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  • Matt86m
    Matt86m Posts: 471
    Big family gathering, lots of people, im sure I could get in and out with some brisket before someone called me on what part of the family I am from. Ive seen wedding crashers and pretty sure I could pull this off. Where will this gathering be? 
    XL aka Senior, Mini Max aka Junior, Weber Q's, Blackstone 22, Lion built in, RecTec Mini 300, Lodge Hibachi, Uuni, wife says I have too many grills,,,,how many shoes do you have?
     
    IG -->  matt_86m
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