There is nothing like a delicious piece of barbecued brisket. The smoky flavor and tender texture are hard to beat. But How much brisket per person should you buy for your next party? It can be tough to determine how much meat to purchase, especially when you are serving a large crowd.
In this blog post, we will provide you with the perfect formula to figure out how much brisket you need! Plus, we’ll give you some tips on how to cook your brisket perfectly every time besides discussing some time-tested leftover tips.
What Is Brisket Exactly?
Brisket is a delicious and popular cut of meat, but it can be tough to cook properly. To understand how to cook brisket, it’s important to know a little bit about the history and origins of this dish. Brisket comes from the breast or lower chest of beef or veal.
The muscle is tough and full of connective tissues, which makes it ideal for slow-cooking methods like braising. When properly cooked, the result is a tender, juicy, and flavorful piece of meat.
Brisket is traditionally smoked or slow-cooked with barbecue sauce. However, there are many different ways to prepare this dish, so feel free to experiment. Just remember that cooking brisket takes time and patience, but the results are worth the effort.
Important Factors To Consider
There are a lot of factors to consider when trying to calculate how much brisket per person you need.
- The first thing you need to think about is how many people you are feeding. If you are feeding a large group of people, then you will need more brisket than if you are only feeding a few people.
- Another factor to consider is how much food each person usually eats. If you have some big eaters in your group, then you will again need more brisket than if everyone is a small eater.
- Finally, you also need to think about what else you are serving with the brisket. If you are only serving sides, then you won’t need as much brisket as if it were the main dish. With all of these factors to consider, it can be tough to figure out how much brisket per person you need.
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How Much Brisket Is An Appropriate Serving Size Per Person?
This is a question that gets asked a lot, and unfortunately, there is no definitive answer. The amount of brisket per person that you’ll need will depend on a few factors, such as the size of your guests and their appetites, what else you’re serving alongside the brisket, and how many other courses you’ll be having.
So how much brisket should you cook per person? It really depends on how many people you’re feeding and how big they are. A good rule of thumb is to plan on ½ pound per person. This should give you plenty of leftovers for sandwiches or other dishes later in the week.
If you’re serving other meats or have a lot of other food options available, you can adjust this downward. And if you’re serving a light meal or your guests are particularly ravenous, you may want to bump it up to ¾ pound per person.
A brisket is usually cut into two pieces, the point and the flat. The point is the more marbled, fatty part of the brisket, while the flat is a leaner cut. For this reason, it’s generally recommended that you serve 2-3 ounces of brisket per person if you’re serving the point, or 1-2 ounces if you’re serving the flat.
At the end of the day, it’s all about making sure your guests have enough to eat and that they enjoy their meal. So use your best judgment and adjust accordingly – there’s no need to stress over getting the exact amount of brisket per person perfect.
Just focus on giving everyone a delicious plate of food and you’ll be sure to please!
Brisket Cooking Methods and Quantity
First, you need to consider how you’re going to cook it. There are several methods of cooking brisket that will affect the amount you need to make.
- If you’re slow cooking the brisket in a smoker, you’ll want about ¾ pound per person. This is because the meat shrinks quite a bit during the smoking process. Check out these best pellet smokers for brisket!
- If you’re oven-roasting or grilling the brisket, you’ll want about ½ pound per person. This is because the meat won’t shrink as much and there will be less waste.
- Finally, if you’re braising the brisket, you’ll want at least 1/3 pound per person. Braising doesn’t shrink the meat as much as other methods, so you’ll need less to start with.
Keep these tips in mind when figuring out how much brisket to make for your next cookout or family dinner. With a little planning, you can be sure to have enough for everyone!
What To Serve With Brisket?
When it comes to sides, there are a few things that go great with brisket. Mashed potatoes, green beans, grilled corn on the cob, creamed spinach, macaroni and cheese, and cornbread are all classic choices that pair well with the rich flavor of brisket.
If you’re looking for something a little different, try serving brisket with roasted vegetables or a simple salad. No matter what you serve with your brisket, your guests are sure to enjoy this delicious dish.
How To Store Your Leftover?
The best way to store your brisket is in the fridge, in a covered dish, or wrapped tightly in foil. It will be kept for three to four days. You can also freeze it for up to two months. When you’re ready to eat it, simply reheat it in a 325-degree oven until warmed through.
Read Also: 8 Best Wood for Smoking Brisket
Ideas For Leftovers From Your Delicious Brisket Feast
When it comes to leftovers, there are so many delicious possibilities! Here are a few of our favorite ideas for what to do with your leftover brisket:
- Sliders: Cut the brisket into thin slices, and pile it high on little mini buns. Add your favorite toppings, and you’ve got an instant party hit.
- Enchiladas: This is one of our go-to ways to use up leftover brisket. Just shred the meat, mix it with some cheese and your favorite enchilada sauce, then roll it all up in soft tortillas. So good!
- Brisket Nachos: Another fun way to serve up leftovers, just pile the brisket onto your favorite tortilla chips and top with all your favorite nacho toppings. So easy, and so delicious.
- Chili: One of our other favorite ways to use up leftover brisket is in chili. Just add some beans, tomatoes, and spices, and you’ve got a hearty dish that’s perfect for a cold winter night.
- Brisket Sandwiches: Another great way to enjoy leftovers is on a sandwich. Pile the brisket high on some crusty bread, add your favorite toppings, and enjoy!
- Stir Fry: Another great way to use up leftover brisket is in a stir fry. Just add the meat to your favorite veggies and sauce, and you’ve got a quick and easy meal.
FAQs
How long should I smoke a 10-lb brisket?
Aim for the internal temperature to reach 203 degrees. It can take anywhere between 9 to 15 hours, depending on the quantity and quality of the meat. Don’t forget to pay attention to details while smoking and try not to pace as you may end up spoiling all your effort.
How many briskets do I need for 8 adults?
4 pounds of brisket should be enough for all your needs if that’s the case. As we discussed in the post, ½ pounds per person is a great starting point for all your calculations. Change the quantity if it differs from what you actually needed and what you bought!
For example, if you are serving 10 adults, 5 pounds of brisket is enough.
How do you get the perfect bark on a brisket?
You’re going to have to be cooking low and slow to build an awesome bark on your brisket, ribs, or pork shoulder. Cooking at high temperatures is going to really make it hard, if not impossible to build a good layer of bark. Keep your grill around 225 degrees or lower for best results.
Read Also: How many ribs per person? All you need to know!
Conclusion
The main thing to keep in mind when deciding how much brisket per person is that it really depends on how you plan to serve it. If you want to have leftovers or want to be sure everyone gets a big piece, then aim for about ¾ to one pound per person.
However, if you’re planning on serving smaller portions or don’t mind running out, then half a pound per person should be plenty. No matter what, always err on the side of buying too much rather than too little — you can always freeze any leftovers for another meal down the road.