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Pulling back the curtain-Brisket cooks and how to avoid the Zero Dark Thirty start-BGE

lousubcap
lousubcap Posts: 33,932
A year or so ago out of the clear blue I was gifted a fully cooked cryovacd frozen brisket from Terry Black's of Lockhart.  Great gift-now what?  The included instructions explained the thaw and reheat process.  Followed and turned out very well.  
I have been using that concept for several brisket cooks since then, excepting the frozen and cryovac piece.  Cutting to the chase- it works da-n well.
So, I will prep and cook the brisket a day or two (largest window to date) before to the desired eat date/time.  Declare victory once the brisket hits the desired feel. Let it sit on a cool-down rack to stop the carry-over cooking (as with all cooks), then into a ziplock bag and the fridge.  
Around three hours before the desired slice and dice time, fire up the clock box to around 300*F.
Heat up some beef tallow (quantity depending on brisket size (6-8 oz should work)) or butter, baste the brisket meat side up.  Then double wrap in HDAF, place on a sheet pan (fat side down) and into the oven.  
You are now flying blind (don't puncture the foil for a thermo insert) and roll for about 150 minutes (2.5 hrs); time depending on the size but the 150 minutes is good for anything in the 12-14 lb range.  Scale it as necessary.
Remove, unwrap and let sit on a cooling rack for around 30 minutes.
After that, have at it.  
Takes all the worry out of being close.  
Give it a go and then draw your own conclusion.  

Below is straight from Terry Black's of Lockhart:  (Yes I borrowed extensively so no credit here).
"Terry Black’s Thawing and Reheating Procedures: Thawing procedure: We recommend that you allow all products properly thaw in your refrigerator. It is best if you leave the product in the original cryovac. Please allow 1-2 days for proper thawing. Reheating instructions once product is thawed: Brisket: We recommend you pre-heat the oven to 300*F. Melt 1 full stick of butter (8 TBS) in a sauce pot. Remove the brisket from the cryovac. Place the brisket (Bark Side Up) on a sheet of foil. Baste the entire top of the brisket with the melted butter. Tightly wrap the brisket in foil. Take another sheet of foil and tightly wrap the brisket again. Place the brisket on a sheet tray, in the preheated oven and cook for 2-2 ½ hours until your temperature reaches 165*F. Be careful when removing foil from the brisket. Allow the brisket to rest for 30 minutes prior to serving."

I'm all in with this process.  (Gave it another go earlier this week.) FWIW-

Louisville; Rolling smoke in the neighbourhood. # 38 for the win.  Life is too short for light/lite beer!  Seems I'm livin in a transitional period.

Comments

  • lkapigian
    lkapigian Posts: 11,129
    Great write up @lousubcap ! Big fan of the above method 
    Visalia, Ca @lkapigian
  • DoubleEgger
    DoubleEgger Posts: 18,010
    Where does one find a ziploc large enough hold a cooked packer? 

    Informative write up ‘Cap. 

  • lkapigian
    lkapigian Posts: 11,129
    Where does one find a ziploc large enough hold a cooked packer? 

    Informative write up ‘Cap. 

    I have 30 gallon food safe bags lol 
    Visalia, Ca @lkapigian
  • lousubcap
    lousubcap Posts: 33,932
    Once shrinkage hits (the brisket, not cold water and old age :) ) the 12-14 lb ones going in will fit a in two gallon bag. After that there are some "turkey brining zip locks"  that will easily handle 18 lb cuts based on my experience.  Beyond that...IDK.  
    I suspect you could achieve the same fridge hold with tightly applied shrink warp but have not tried that.  At that point you are messing about with a large cut of beef.  
    Louisville; Rolling smoke in the neighbourhood. # 38 for the win.  Life is too short for light/lite beer!  Seems I'm livin in a transitional period.
  • Ozzie_Isaac
    Ozzie_Isaac Posts: 20,560
    Bookmarked!

    now I just need to learn to cook a brisket 

    Maybe your purpose in life is only to serve as an example for others? - LPL


  • I don’t Egg on the Large in the rain, so the forecast often dictates my brisket cooks. Thanks for providing a detailed process that allows more flexibility around hosting. 

    @lkapigian - No surprises there. Lol.
  • Stormbringer
    Stormbringer Posts: 2,250
    Great guide, thanks. I'm cooking a brisket next weekend, will follow this.
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  • kl8ton
    kl8ton Posts: 5,728
    Thanks for the info.  My last brisket that I cooked a couple days ago was done in 9.5 hours I think.  This forced a prolonged hold in the oven at 170.  I took it off the egg and let it rest for 30 minutes on the counter.  I wrapped it tightly and put it in the clock box. for about eight hours.  Turned out great, but I like the idea of cooking further ahead of time and bringing to temp before serving.  Less guess work.
    Large, Medium, MiniMax, 36" Blackstone
    Grand Rapids MI