Everyone loves a good tender brisket! But what happens if it goes bad?
You don’t want to spend all the money on a brisket just to throw it out! However a few things affect this, so make sure you read below, so to you never have to throw away brisket.
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How Long Is Brisket Good After Sell by Date
So how long is brisket good after the sell-by date? Brisket is good for 3-5 days after the sell-by date.
This is as long as the meat is correctly packaged and properly. Brisket can last longer if it is cryovaced.
What Is the “Sell By” Date?
The “Sell by” date mostly exists to help the stores keep track of how quickly they should move inventory. If the food has been stored properly, it should still be good 3-5 days after that date.
Some foods have “Best by” or “Use by” dates. This date tells consumers when the quality may start to deteriorate. Most meat products will stay healthy for a short time after that date.
If you can’t prepare the meat before the expiration dates, freeze the meat to extend its shelf life.
How Can I Tell if My Brisket Is Bad?
Eating fresh meat is the best way to prevent food poisoning. If you must buy your brisket ahead of time, learn how to identify bad beef brisket.
Use your senses to determine if your potentially expired meat is still good. Can you smell a foul odor, such as a sour smell? When you feel the meat, does it have a slimy texture?
Do you see a dull color or any other discoloration or mold? If anything seems off, it is best to throw it out. One should never risk cooking or eating spoiled meats.
How Should I Store My Brisket?
To extend the life of beef brisket, one must follow proper food safety protocol. First of all, do not open the fresh brisket until you’re ready to cook it.
Exposing the raw beef brisket to air may result in bacterial growth. Refrigerate it as soon as you can. Raw beef brisket should be stored between 34 and 36 degrees to prevent any unwanted bacteria.
If the fresh brisket is left at room temperature for more than two hours, you should toss it. If you want to extend the shelf life even longer, you may want to freeze it or consider wet aging it.
How Long Does Brisket Last in the Freezer?
Brisket last 6-12 months in the freezer. Because of this, it is good practice to check the sell-by date whenever you buy meat.
If you won’t use it within 3-5 days of that date, freeze it immediately. Sometimes plans change. If you won’t be able to prepare the meat before it spoils, just put it in the freezer when you realize this.
Frozen brisket may start to deteriorate between 6 and 12 months. Thawing it anytime within the first six months will result in a delicious brisket. After that, it won’t cause food poisoning, but may not taste as fresh.
How Should I Thaw Frozen Beef Brisket?
Thawing raw beef brisket correctly is important. You should thaw frozen brisket in the refrigerator, however thawing brisket in the refrigerator can take a long time.
For instance, a five-pound brisket could take twenty-four hours to completely thaw.
If you need to speed up the process, you can submerge the meat in cold water. This should take less than an hour per pound.
Make sure that the meat is properly sealed if you choose this method. Finally, if you must, you can defrost brisket in the microwave.
However, most meat gurus would advise against this method. Microwaving meat may compromise the taste and texture of the final product.
How Long Will a Vacuum Sealed Brisket Last in the Refrigerator?
Vacuum sealed meats may last between 30 and 60 days in the refrigerator. Most people recommend eating these vacuum-sealed meats around 30-45 days, though.
If you decide to store your raw meats this way, your refrigerator must stay around 34°. By refrigerating a vacuum-sealed brisket, you are wet aging it.
This is a popular way to store brisket because it will result in a delicious wet-aged brisket.
How Long Will Cooked Brisket Keep in the Fridge?
Cooked meat is much easier to store than raw meat but we still need to follow proper food safety rules.
Cooked meat products should remain at room temperature for no longer than two hours.
The refrigerator is the proper environment for storing cooked brisket.
Beef brisket should last about 4-5 days in the fridge.
Once the meat is cooked, freezing it will extend the shelf life of beef brisket for about three months.
You should still examine the brisket before eating it to avoid eating bad brisket.
Cooked brisket may have a strong smell or grayish color if it forms any bad bacteria.
Most meat lovers would say that any brisket is better than no brisket.
By following these guidelines, you should never have to toss out a brisket again.
Smoke On!
Charlie
Hi, I’m Charlie, I have been meat-smoking and grilling for the past 15 years. I have an array of different smokers, thermometers, and have a love for finding the right wood and charcoal combo My favourite recipes are my EXTRA CRISPY smoked pork belly, juicy pulled pork, smoked brisket, duck poppers, and ANY SEAFOOD I grill).
I loves sharing his tips with beginners, helping them navigate the world of smoking. I find it’s not just about cooking; it’s a quest for that perfect smoky flavor.
You will usually find me playing with the kids, perfecting my brisket bark, or sipping beers with boys around the fire. Can’t wait to share all my delicious smoking and grilling recipes with you!
You can read more about me on our About Us page.
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