Brisket is one of the primal cuts of beef and is part of many cuisines. There are several ways to prepare brisket, from grilling, and frying to boiling. Depending on how you prepare it, you have the assurance of a meaty delight if you cook it well.
Like most dishes, you may have a leftover brisket that you want to enjoy. However, you will notice that the leftover brisket does not taste like the fresh one. Sometimes, it may have a leathery texture, which does not seem right for your palate. The solution is to know how to reheat brisket without it drying.
Let us take an in-depth venture into this subject to know how to reheat brisket like a pro.
Freezing and Storage of the Brisket
How you store and freeze the brisket will determine how it will look like when you reintroduce it to the table. There are two ways to keep this cut of meat, sliced or unsliced. Each of the methods has its advantages and disadvantages.
Here is a look at each of the storage ways.
Freezing and Storing Sliced Brisket
In this manner of storage, you slice your brisket before storing it. One reason for slicing before freezing your brisket is to be economical on space. Slicing also allows you to pick a slice of the meat at a time, which is ideal if you plan on using it for a long time.
Some of the downsides that come with slicing include the pieces drying off. You may find that they have a leathery texture, which can affect their taste. Additionally, there is the risk of contamination. You can beat this by ensuring that the refrigerator is clean.
Slicing After Freezing
You may decide to slice your cut of meat after freezing. It is an excellent method of storing your brisket as it will retain its moisture. There is less exposure to the surroundings; hence, minimal chances of contamination. When you slice it after freezing, it looks fresher, with all pieces intact.
The main downside to slicing after freezing is that the brisket may take up a lot of space in the fridge. If you decide to reheat it as a whole, it may take longer to be ready.
The Moisture Essence in Your Brisket
On how to reheat brisket, there is one key determining factor, which is its moisture content. The beef cut should have enough moisture for it to taste. From storage to reheating, you should be certain that the meat retains its juiciness. Highlighted below are some of the things to do to ensure that your leftover meat is juicy and tender.
- When slicing before freezing, you can let the slices cool in their juices. It is vital for moisture retention.
- You can inject marinade into an unsliced cut of the beef. This will improve its taste and moisture content. Injecting the marinade is cleaner and more effective. However, you may go the traditional marinating way.
- Back to slices, you should lay them on a freezing tray for individual freezing. Later on, you can put each of the cuts into a Ziploc bag. You may also set the slices into a marinade in the Ziploc bags for an enhanced taste. A thing to know is that the marinated pieces are for short-term use.
- You may opt for vacuum storage using a vacuum sealer. The Entrige vacuum sealer is one of the top products on the market, as it is very easy to use. Vacuum sealing prevents dehydration and freezer burn.
Reheating Brisket
Before reheating your brisket, you should pay attention to hygiene. It is an essential move, lest you expose yourself to diseases. Cleanliness is essential in every stage of reheating your brisket.
What about thawing? Thawing or defrosting is crucial for an excellent food preparation process.
Keenness is essential in thawing for the best results. Do not let the brisket thaw on your countertop, as it may go bad. You can let it thaw in the refrigerator for a day or two for the best outcome.
Here are some reheating methods you can rely on.
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Steaming
Steaming is a simple method of reheating your brisket, and it helps in retaining its moisture. To steam, you will toss the meat into a steaming basket and bring the water to a boil. Put the basket with the meat into the boiling pot and cover it. Let it steam for an hour, then check its temperature using a thermometer. It is ready if its temperature reaches 140 degrees.
Steaming can be the first step in preparing your leftover brisket. Once it is tender enough, you can grill it or fry it. You may also slice the steamed meat and use it on a salad.
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Boiling
Boiling is not a favorite method among barbeque enthusiasts. At times, it is the most viable method. Like steaming, it preserves its moisture content and makes it tender. When boiling, you let the water heat first. Meanwhile, place your brisket in a sealed bag. If the water is at the right temperature, you can put it in the water.
You can check the brisket’s temperature with a thermometer. It is ready if it gets to 140 degrees.
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Use the Oven
Using the oven is another simple way of getting your brisket ready for the table. It is an excellent method, especially if you froze the cut whole. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit, then introduce your thawed out brisket. You should cover the meat cut with ideally two layers of foil.
The foil covering prevents the meat from drying out. Optionally, you may use a mixture of apple cider and apple juice, mixed in a ratio of 2:1. Add some barbeque sauce and let it cook. You can use this mixture as your sauce.
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Reheating in a Microwave
Your microwave can also reheat your brisket. It is a fast way of getting the leftover ready for the table, though it is not the best. The microwave is ideal for sliced meat, as opposed to a whole cut. The microwave’s power should be down by 20% before you start using it. The low power prevents overcooking, which can leave you with dry meat.
When reheating the slices, it is advisable to cook them in the microwave at 30-second intervals. While the microwave is fast in reheating, the leftover meal may not meet your expectations if you are not keen.
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Using a Smoker
A smoker will come in handy in reheating the leftover brisket. It works similarly to the oven, but it will take more time. Set the smoker to 225 degrees to preheat as you wrap the brisket in aluminum foil. A double foil will work correctly.
When using the smoker, the 2-zone method is an ideal method for a nice outcome. Here, you set your charcoal on one side of the grill and place your meat in the cold zone. This method allows for even cooking.
Let it cook for some time, constantly checking on its temperature. If it gets to 160 degrees, then it is good. Remove the foil and place it in the hot zone for around 10 minutes. Be keen with the beef cut to avoid burning. When ready, remove it from the cooker and enjoy your meal.
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The Sous Vide Method
Sous vide is an excellent way of preparing your leftover beef. While the name might seem sophisticated, it is a simple method relying on temperature control. For sous vide, you need a water bath ranging between 110-175 degrees Fahrenheit. Your brisket needs to be vacuum-sealed in a bag, which you will immerse in the bath.
You now leave the brisket in the bath until it has the same temperature as the bath. As you can see, it is a simple way of reheating your brisket, almost similar to boiling it.
Time is vital in this method and depends on the thickness of the cut. A whole brisket, with a thickness of roughly 4 inches, 4-5 hours in the bath will do. For slices, 2 hours is enough to have them ready.
What Do You Do with Reheated Brisket?
There are several things you can do with your reheated brisket, culinary-wise. Highlighted are some of the recipes where your leftover brisket comes in handy.
Brisket Salad
A brisket salad is a great meal for lunch or as dessert. In this scenario, you can use boiled or steamed leftover beef, as it will have some moisture. Chop some like three fresh tomatoes, an onion, and lettuce. Mix it with the brisket slices and dress it with mayonnaise or soy sauce. It is a tasty dish that can also work as an appetizer.
Brisket Sandwich
If you have brisket slices, you can use them as a sandwich or burger filling. When it comes to fillings, let your imagination control you. Add fried eggs, lettuce, tomatoes, a slice of ham, and a heavy dressing of mayo or mustard. A brisket sandwich is an excellent snack to take during the day or for breakfast.
Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s pie originates from England. Its main ingredients are ground meat and potato crusting. You can ground the brisket meat and bake it with a mashed potato covering. It is a fulfilling meal that you can have at any time of the day.
Conclusion
What do you do with leftover brisket? Simple, reheat it and have it as part of several recipes. There are several ways to reheat this beef cut, and this article introduces you to some of them.
When reheating, hygiene is essential to prevent any health issues. It calls for attention in each step of preparation, more so storage and thawing. You can also check the various ways to use reheated brisket to bring wonders to your table.