Here at Australian Butchers Store, we’ve spent the last few months experimenting with new winter warmers and rediscovering old timeless favourites.
One of our stand-outs has to be the classic beef brisket.
Succulent, soft, and hearty: this meal is the perfect accompaniment to a chilly winter’s night.
Whether you’re hosting guests or simply cosying down with the family on a rainy night, we bet you can’t resist. Read on to find out more from our butchers in Melbourne.
What is brisket?
First, what exactly is a brisket cut? It’s likely you’ve heard of it, and associate it with Texas-style barbecues, smoky flavours, and slow cooking, as well as the famous brisket burger.
The brisket is made up of a pair of muscles in a cow’s chest area, beneath the ribs and above the front legs (which is where the shank is found).
The brisket contains two muscles: the point muscle and the flat muscle.
These muscles are responsible for holding the majority of the weight of a cow, and are therefore worked with every step the cow takes. As such, this cut is naturally tough, which is why slow-cooking is the most popular preparation method.
Remember this simple rule: cook low and slow. If you cook it too fast (or too hot), you risk being left with a tough, chewy cut.
How to prepare your brisket cut
Like we said above, it’s up to you if you’d like the point separated from the flat, or if you want to keep both pieces and cook them together. Your butcher is happy to help and will prepare your cut just as you’d like.
Simply ask in-store, or if you’re ordering online, let us know in the comments how you’d like it prepared and we’ll ensure it’s ready for cooking as soon as it arrives on your doorstep.
Tips for cooking brisket in the slow cooker
The brisket is a tender cut that is ideally slow cooked over many hours.
You can ask your butcher to separate the flat from the point, however we also love cooking both together, as the point can be used to create burnt ends.
Additionally, the fattier point cut helps to keep the leaner flat cut moist and creates a melt-in-your-mouth flavour that you won’t be able to resist!
Does brisket get more tender the longer you cook it?
It sure does.
This particular cut contains a lot of connective tissue, which, if cooked too fast (or on heat that is too high) can result in tough and dry meat.
However, when brisket is cooked slowly, this tissue turns into gelatin, creating the soft, moist, and tender cut we know and love.
This is why we also recommend cooking the flat and point together: because the point is fattier and retains moisture, it helps to keep the flat from drying out.
When should I wrap my brisket?
Wrapping is an optional (yet popular) step taken during the slow cooking process. Its purpose is to retain fat and to ensure moisture is reabsorbed during the resting period, creating a succulent and tender result.
The brisket can be wrapped in aluminium foil or butcher’s paper.
It’s generally recommended that you wrap your brisket once the internal temperature has reached around 70ºC. This of course can depend on a number of factors including the temperature at which you’re slow cooking and the size and thickness of the cut.
What should you serve beef brisket with?
A hearty, nourishing winter staple, brisket can be served with all your favourite comfort foods such as creamy mashed potatoes or mac and cheese, as well as delicious grilled or roasted veggies, including:
- Asparagus
- Baked potatoes
- Dutch carrots
- Corn on the cob
- Green beans
- Brussels sprouts
Got leftovers? What to do with leftover brisket
If by some miracle the family hasn’t devoured the whole brisket, you might be wondering what to do with leftovers!
The long cooking process is done, so now’s the time for some quick-fire recipes you can enjoy the next day. Some popular and delicious choices include:
- Taco or quesadilla fillings
- Brisket stroganoff
- Nachos
- Pizza toppings
- Toasted sandwiches or burgers
Buy brisket online with Australian Butchers Store
Stock up on all your favourite cuts of beef, lamb, chicken, and more with our online butcher in Melbourne; Australian Butchers Store is your one-stop shop for premium quality meat at the best prices!
With Australian Butchers Store, you can visit one of our four locations across Melbourne or you can order online and enjoy delivery direct to your door.
Whether you’re a family looking for affordable and delicious variety for your weekday dinners, looking to hone your culinary skills with a new recipe, or a food or hospitality business in need of a wholesale meat supplier in Melbourne, we invite you to shop with Australian Butchers Store today.
