Brisket is beefcut from the lower section of the breast or upper chest of beef. It is one of the nine beef basic cuts. The brisket can be cut and cooked in a variety of ways. It is usually served as a barbecue. It consists of sodium, fat, potassium, and carbohydrates.
The brisket can be cut into slices, or you can chop it. The brisket muscles include the deep pectorals and superficial and external intercostals. It should be cooked more slowly over low heat so that the meat can become a tenderer.
Chopped Brisket
Chopped brisket has a different texture that can be eaten as an appetizer or main dish. It is famous for burgers and sandwiches. Brisket is quite a large cut of meat. A whole brisket can weigh up to 20 pounds. You can chop the meat into large are small chunks. It is advised to add an acidic ingredient to chopped brisket. It will help balance fat and give extra flavor to the meat.
How To Chop Brisket?
Chopping brisket is not tricky. The secret to chopping brisket is first to freeze it. Set it in the freezer for about an hour until it is slightly firm but not rock hard. Then remove it from the freezer for chopping.
- Step 1: Trim off excess fat from the meat. This will give you more surface area.
- Step 2: With a sharp chef knife, start cutting across the grain.
- Step 3: Chop through the meat until the whole piece of brisket is sliced.
Sliced Brisket
Sliced brisket is the same as chopped, but it is sliced very thin to a consistent thickness to get nice even slices. Sliced brisket is used to eat as a main and formal dish with gravy. When you cook it slowly, you will give more time for connective tissues to break down, and the slices will be delicious to eat. The slicing of brisket is a little tricky compared with chopping.
How To Slice Brisket?
Slice brisket by cutting across the grain of the meat. Use a sharp knife and slice it thinly against the grain. Otherwise, the meat will be chewier. Cut against the grain at 90 degrees. This will make the bite more tender and flavorful.
For slicing, start from the thicker end of the meat. Then begin slicing down until you have cut the whole piece of brisket.
- Step 1: Place the meat on a large cutting board to put the entire piece of brisket.
- Step 2: Make sure that your knife is sharpened enough to cut through meat easily.
- Step 3: Slice gently with back and forth motion while applying gentle pressure.
- Step 4: Slice the whole meat and bring it out on a plate.
Chopped Brisket Vs Sliced Brisket
- Preparing time: Both are perfect for slow cooking over indirect heat such as smoking and braising; both are incredibly tender and delicious.
- Uses: Sliced brisket is typically served as a sandwich filling or vegetables. It is also used for barbecues. Chopped brisket is served as a main dish with some sauce on top.
- Texture: However, there is a marked difference in taste and texture. Chopped brisket is tendered with more minor and softer fat grains than the sliced
- Flavor: Chopped meat is dried, then sliced meat. It has a smoky flavor than sliced due to trimmed edges that tend to mix while cooking.
- Chopped meat is easier to eat.
- Quantity: The benefit of that it looks large in amount. This means when you are serving many people, the chopped brisket will be enough.
How to Trim Brisket?
Conclusion
If you have cooked well the brisket, no matter if it is chopped or sliced, it will taste wonderful. However, both are different in texture, but it will depend on your cooking techniques.
