Here's How to Reheat Brisket the Right Way (2024)

It's just as good the next day!

By Kate Trombly O'Brien

Here's How to Reheat Brisket the Right Way (1)

Every item on this page was chosen by a The Pioneer Woman editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

Beef brisket is a Drummond family staple, which is probably why Ree has so many delicious recipes for it (just wait until you try her Spicy BBQ Brisket). But what happens if you make a big brisket and have tons of leftovers? Sure, you can shred the leftover meat and use it in various types of tacos, lunch-ready sandwiches, or tasty quesadillas—but if you just want a nice plate of leftover brisket, you'll need to know how to warm up the meat the right way. Nobody wants dry brisket!

Here, we're sharing how to reheat brisket so it turns out just as tender and juicy as the day you made it. First things first: What is brisket, anyway? It's a fairly tough cut of meat that comes from the lower chest of the cow, below the chuck. (You can also get veal brisket!) Corned beef—not to be confused with pastrami!—is beef brisket that has been cured.

But no matter what kind of brisket you get, it needs to be cooked at a low temperature for a long time in order to break down that meaty connective tissue (quite the opposite of your favorite steak dinner recipes!). Braising, slow-cooking, baking in a low oven, or smoking are your best bets.

Here's How to Reheat Brisket the Right Way (2)

What is the best way to reheat beef brisket?

There is one very important thing to remember about reheating beef brisket: Stay away from the microwave! Brisket is best reheated in the oven; the microwave will simply dry it out. Here's what we'd recommend:

  1. First, remove your brisket from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes.
  2. Next, preheat your oven to 325˚and place your brisket in an ovenproof dish. Drizzle the meat with some of the original cooking liquid or a little beef broth, then cover the dish tightly with foil.
  3. Heat until the brisket is warmed through (cooking times will vary depending on whether your brisket is sliced or whole).

That's it!

How do you reheat beef without drying it out?

"Low and slow" is your motto! If you zap your meat with super high heat (as might happen in the microwave), it could overcook and dry out. As we mentioned, to keep your brisket moist, you can also splash a little beef broth, cooking liquid, or water on it before you put it in the oven, and you can drizzle on some gravy or barbecue sauce once it's heated to liven it up again.

Is it better to reheat brisket whole or sliced?

Whole brisket will stay juicier than sliced brisket. If you can, try to only slice the amount of brisket you plan to eat or serve on that given day, and store the rest in the fridge in one piece. (You can still reheat sliced brisket—just follow the directions above to keep it juicy.)

P.S. We've also got tips on how to reheat steak—don't miss them!

Serve Up Your Brisket on One of These Gorgeous Platters

Here's How to Reheat Brisket the Right Way (3)

The Pioneer Woman Sweet Romance 21-Inch Platter

Here's How to Reheat Brisket the Right Way (4)

The Pioneer Woman Classic Charm 18-Inch Oval Platter
The Pioneer Woman Sweet Rose 21-Inch Oval Serving Platter

Here's How to Reheat Brisket the Right Way (6)

The Pioneer Woman Vintage Floral 14.5-Inch Serving Platter

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

Here's How to Reheat Brisket the Right Way (2024)

FAQs

Here's How to Reheat Brisket the Right Way? ›

To moisten the meat, give it a marinade in some warm beef broth, and make sure to add broth when reheating. Another option is to use the meat in dishes where it can soak up a rich sauce. Add the cooked beef to Slow-Cooker Brisket Chili or Chicken-and-Brisket Brunswick Stew, where the juiciness isn't as necessary.

How to reheat a brisket without drying it out? ›

To moisten the meat, give it a marinade in some warm beef broth, and make sure to add broth when reheating. Another option is to use the meat in dishes where it can soak up a rich sauce. Add the cooked beef to Slow-Cooker Brisket Chili or Chicken-and-Brisket Brunswick Stew, where the juiciness isn't as necessary.

Do you reheat brisket covered or uncovered? ›

Cover the foil tray in aluminum and place it on the smoker. You want to let the brisket reheat in the butter for about 2-3 hours. Once the brisket is warmed through, it should be ready to eat, you do not need to rest it at this time.

How do you rest a brisket for the next day? ›

As a result, there's been a greater appreciation among backyard barbecuers of the importance of holding brisket for a good, long rest after cooking, usually wrapped in aluminum foil or pink butcher paper and placed in an empty cooler for a few hours.

How do you reheat vacuum sealed brisket? ›

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Remove from vacuum seal bag, place in baking dish or foil pan, add 2 sticks of butter or 2 cups of brisket drippings to pan, cover with foil. Reheat your smoked brisket to an internal temperature of 155 degrees. Place the covered brisket in 250 degree oven and set time for 1 ½ hours.

How to reheat brisket for catering? ›

Cover a shallow baking dish with aluminum foil and spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray. Place the brisket in the dish, and spoon in some liquid or plain water to keep the meat from drying out. Cover the dish tightly with foil. Bake the brisket for 30-45 minutes or until heated through.

How do you not dry meat when reheating? ›

Set your oven to 250°F (120°C). Add meat to a baking tray, followed by a dash of oil or butter. Cover with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out. This method usually takes at least 10–15 minutes.

Is it better to leave brisket covered or uncovered? ›

Most grill masters suggest wrapping your brisket when it reaches 150-170. Wrapping and unwrapping can be done strategically to control the appearance of the bark, preserving crispiness. Once the meat reaches the desired temperature, unwrap it and cook at a lower temperature to re-crisp the bark.

Should brisket be cooked covered or uncovered? ›

Roast the brisket at 300°F and keep it covered in foil for the first six hours. Uncover the brisket in the last two to three hours of cooking to get a crisp exterior bark. Check the brisket every 30 minutes with the use of a thermometer.

How do you keep brisket from drying out after cooking? ›

Exposing less of the brisket's surface area to air helps to maintain its moistness. If you have leftover meat, the best option is to store it in bigger chunks to keep it from drying out. Think of it as capping your meat to protect its juiciness until you're ready to eat it again.

Can I reheat brisket in butcher paper? ›

Whole Brisket

(do not remove the butcher paper). Heat for approx. 1.5-2 hours or until a meat thermometer reads an internal temperature of 165 degrees for 15 seconds.

Should brisket be resting wrapped or unwrapped? ›

Brisket Resting Techniques and Strategies

Wrapping in Foil or Butcher Paper: Wrapping the brisket in foil or butcher paper during the resting phase helps to retain heat and moisture. This method, known as the "Texas Crutch," accelerates the redistribution of juices and maintains a warm environment for the meat.

Is brisket better the next day? ›

I like to prepare the brisket the day before I serve it, then put it in the refrigerator overnight. This saves prep time on the following day, and the flavors deepen overnight, which makes it taste even better.

What is the best way to reheat brisket without drying it out? ›

To reheat the brisket, wrap it in foil or plastic and place it in a preheated oven at 325°F for 10-15 minutes. You can also reheat it in a microwave using a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a damp paper towel to prevent it from drying out.

How do you reheat brisket the next day? ›

Cover the brisket with slices of butter. This fat is your friend to provide much needed moisture when reheating. Reheat until the internal temperature is over 140. This will take 90 - 120 minutes depending on the size of your brisket.

How long does brisket last in the fridge vacuum sealed? ›

Raw Meats – Raw meats can be kept up to 10 day when vacuum packed before needing to be cooked or frozen. In comparison, raw meat that is not vacuum packed will only last 3-5 days in the refrigerator before turning.

How do you keep brisket from drying out? ›

Here's the lowdown: wrapping your brisket can be a game-changer—a surefire way to lock in those juices.
  1. Aluminum Foil: A classic choice, providing a tight seal that steams the brisket in its own juices.
  2. Butcher Paper: It's breathable, allowing smoke to enhance the flavor while retaining ample moisture.

How do you keep a slow cooked brisket moist? ›

To keep brisket moist in a slow cooker, sear before cooking to trap in the juices, add liquid (broth, BBQ sauce), cook on low heat, and avoid lifting the lid frequently to retain moisture.

Can you reheat brisket in an air fryer? ›

As long as the portion of brisket you're reheating fits in the air fryer basket without too much crowding, you're good to go. But be warned: It may dry the brisket out a bit and cause the texture to be a little chewier, so have plenty of warm gravy at the ready.

Can you reheat brisket in boiling water? ›

If reheating 1 pound of brisket, place 3 quarts of water in a large sauce pan or stock pot. If reheating 2 pounds, use 4 quarts of water. Bring the water to a boil. Place the entire vacuum sealed package(s) of brisket in the pot and turn off the heat.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Melvina Ondricka

Last Updated:

Views: 6821

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (68 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Melvina Ondricka

Birthday: 2000-12-23

Address: Suite 382 139 Shaniqua Locks, Paulaborough, UT 90498

Phone: +636383657021

Job: Dynamic Government Specialist

Hobby: Kite flying, Watching movies, Knitting, Model building, Reading, Wood carving, Paintball

Introduction: My name is Melvina Ondricka, I am a helpful, fancy, friendly, innocent, outstanding, courageous, thoughtful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.