It’s difficult to beat fresh brisket off the grill, smoker, or oven. But what happens when you have some left over? This incredible cut of meat certainly can’t go to waste, so storing it as leftovers is a must. However, you’ll want to learn a few pointers for reheating brisket to avoid transforming it from its tender and juicy original form to a chewy, dry slab of meat.
We’ve got you covered, of course. This guide drills down the best ways to reheat brisket in the oven, on the grill, and more.
Why Does Brisket Need Special Reheating?
Brisket is a unique meat that thrives when it’s cooked over low heat, nice and slowly. That’s why brisket is often smoked; it allows plenty of time to cook in low heat. During this cooking process, brisket’s connective tissue breaks down, which takes it from what would be rather chewy meat to one that’s super tender, practically melting in your mouth with each bite. It’s a whole scientific process that allows these changes to happen, leading to the full-of-flavor brisket you know and love.
If you reheat the brisket too fast, you’ll probably find that it becomes chewy. Once meat toughens up, it also tends to lose some flavor. Although the reheating process for brisket won’t take as long as the initial cook, it still requires more time than, say, a bowl of pasta or a plate of vegetables would take to reheat. For the best results, you’ll still want to focus on the low-and-slow heating method to reheat the brisket properly.
What Is The Best Way To Reheat Brisket?
Typically, the best, most effective way to reheat brisket without sacrificing its texture and flavor is to reheat it in the oven. We’ll break down the exact steps to do that in the following section.
First, let’s go over the necessary components of reheating brisket so you can make sure you do it correctly, no matter what method you choose. These components are low heat, slow cooking, moisture, and resting time. We’ll cover how to hit each of these marks, whether you want to reheat brisket in the oven, on the stove, in a slow cooker, on a grill, or via sous vide.
Why You Should Never Reheat Brisket In The Microwave
So, you have leftover brisket and want to reheat it quickly for lunch or dinner. No problem—one of the methods above will help you get your brisket to an ideal, safe temperature for eating. However, you should steer clear of the temptation to use the microwave. Yes, it’s the quickest option, but no, it’s not going to yield the best results.
When you reheat brisket in the microwave, it tends to dry out, which is the exact opposite of what you want in a brisket. Dried-out brisket impacts the flavor and overall quality of the meat, and it all happens because a microwave is designed to heat up foods quickly. But while it heats, it also cooks the food, so you’re technically cooking a brisket past its prime when you stick it in the microwave. Spend a few more minutes warming it up on the stovetop or grill or if you want to let it do its thing during the day, follow the directions above to reheat it in the slow cooker.
Different Methods of Reheating Brisket
The following methods are different ways you can reheat brisket. We include details for each method to help you maintain the proper moisture and heat for brisket reheating.
How To Reheat Brisket In the Oven
The oven is usually the best way to reheat brisket. It allows for even cooking, and you can maintain a low temperature to prevent the brisket from heating too quickly.
To start, preheat the oven to 250°F. Remove the brisket from the refrigerator and keep it at room temperature for about 15 minutes while the oven heats. Brush a layer of beef broth on the outside of the brisket before wrapping it in foil. Place the brisket in a baking pan and transfer it to the middle rack of the oven.
Heat the brisket until it reaches 165°F. This typically takes 30-60 minutes but may take longer if you have a lot of leftover brisket. Once finished, let the brisket rest at room temperature with the foil slightly vented for 10-15 minutes before serving.
How To Reheat Brisket On the Stovetop
If it’s a hot day and you’d rather not heat up the oven, use the stove to reheat brisket instead.
Start by resting the brisket at room temperature for about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, add about 1 cup of beef broth to a large pot and heat the liquid over medium-low heat. Carefully add the brisket to the pot. Cover the pot with a lid and allow the brisket to heat to 165°F. This may take between 1-2 hours. Every 20-30 minutes, use a spoon to baste the beef broth over the brisket, keeping the top moist while reheating.
When finished, tent the brisket loosely with foil and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.
How To Reheat Brisket In the Slow Cooker
If you plan to reheat brisket in a slow cooker, remember to reserve some leftover drippings from the original cook. Add the brisket and the drippings to the slow cooker. If you don’t have enough drippings to cover about one inch in the bottom of the slow cooker, add some beef broth until you have one inch of liquid. Cook the brisket on low for 3-5 hours until the meat reaches 165°F and is fork-tender.
How to Reheat Brisket In a Smoker or Gas Grill
Reheating brisket on the grill or smoker can add a lot of flavor to the leftover meat. Just be careful not to overdo it.
Rest the brisket at room temperature for 20-30 minutes while you prepare the smoker or grill, heating it to low heat, around 225°F. Wrap the brisket in foil or butcher paper. Then, please the wrapped brisket on the grill or smoker out of the way of direct heat. Allow it to cook until the brisket reaches 165°F, which may take between 2-4 hours.
How To Reheat Brisket With A Sous Vide Machine
Sous vide is meant to retain the natural juices in the food it cooks, preventing it from drying out. It also allows for precise temperature control, so you don’t need to worry about overcooking brisket past the necessary temperature of 165°F for safe heating.
Preheat a sous vide machine to 155°F and vacuum-seal the leftover brisket with some leftover drippings or a couple of tablespoons of beef broth. Place the bag into the water bath and cook for one hour. Heat a large skillet with a drizzle of oil. Once heated, remove the brisket from the bag, pat it dry, and place it on the skillet. Sear for 2-3 minutes on each side.
Rest the brisket for 5-10 minutes before serving.
How To Fix Dry Brisket
Whether your brisket was overcooked the first time or the reheating process dried it out, there are a couple of things you can try to fix it.
First, if you can wait a couple of hours, marinate it. Place the marinating brisket in the fridge for 2-4 hours before attempting to reheat it again. For best results, be sure to use plenty of liquid when reheating to prevent it from drying out again.
Second, you can slice the brisket into thin slices. Cut it against the grain to break up tough fibers and make it easier to chew. Or shred the brisket to top a salad, pasta, or a sandwich. Shredding and slicing can make dry brisket less chewy and more manageable to eat.
How To Store Brisket So It Stays Moist
Air exposure dries out cooked brisket, so it’s important to keep brisket away from as much air as possible when storing it in the refrigerator. Use an airtight container or, better yet, a vacuum-sealed bag to store brisket until you’re ready to reheat it. Consider adding some leftover drippings to the container or bag to keep the brisket moist.
Conclusion: Reheating Brisket for Maximum Flavor and Texture
Most meats don’t usually have the same level of “Yum!” when they’re reheated as they did after their initial cook but that doesn’t mean you need to toss leftovers. Follow the tips above to have a second go-around with your brisket if you weren’t able to finish it all the first time.
Want more brisket cooking tips and recipes? Here are a few more guides to enjoy:
- The Best Smoked Brisket Recipe
- How to Cook Brisket in a Crock Pot
- How to Smoke a Beef Brisket
- Cooking Beef Brisket in an Instant Pot
- Beef Brisket Rub Guide