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Some people think a brisket is a brisket but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. If you are a brisket smoker then you know that you must have the best brisket for your smoking pleasure to yield you the best brisket anyone has every tasted.
A brisket of prime grade is going to be the best bet since it offers the best marbling.
Difference In Quality
Brisket shopping will reveal to you that when you shop at HEB you are going to be able to choose from a Choice grade brisket and while a choice grade brisket is OK, Costco offers a prime grade brisket that will offer you more marbling to help you serve a brisket that is more tender and more juicy. Marbling is the trick to creating the most awesome brisket in regards to taste and texture.
While Costco does sell prime and choice grade briskets, HEB only sales choice grade. You won’t be able to select a prime grade brisket if you shop at HEB. The best selection of brisket can be found at Costco since they offer different cuts and different grades. You can choose from a variety of sizes as well, which will allow you to have the brisket that is perfect for your cooking needs as well as your serving needs. Both stores sell USDA approved brisket.
The difference in the brisket from store to store is going to be the grade. With grade comes quality also and that’s something to always keep in mind when you are making a brisket purchase.
We all want a brisket that is fresh and that is of the best grade that we can get. We want a brisket that offers us the exact amount of marbling we’d like in order to be able to serve a brisket that exceeds the expectations of the cook and of the ones that are being served. Being able to have the most options when shopping for a brisket is a benefit in itself.
The Difference in Price
Both stores can offer you a brisket that ranges from 4 to 5 dollars per pound. This may mean that pricing is not really an issue, but quality is still a huge issue. When you shop at Costco with the larger variety of brisket, you can count on freshness, good marbling and a nice selection of cuts and weights for your brisket purchase.
You will find that prime grade brisket can cost a little less at Costco than it will cost at HEB. Brisket is a great cut of meat that can also be an affordable cut of meat. It can also feed a large number of people, making it a popular choice for larger groups of people and even crowds.
If you plan to choose a choice grade brisket, again, Costco may be your best place to shop. No matter which grade you choose, Costco is going to be able to provide a fresh brisket that is going to cook just the way you expect to. You can have the right amount of meat and you can do it without having to overpay for it.
You can shop around at any of the grocery or butcher shops in your area and I think you are going to find that your best deal for purchasing a brisket is going to come from Costco. Being able to purchase a nice brisket at a great price is a great feeling.
Type Of Brisket Cut
There are three types of brisket cuts; the flat, the point and the packer style. Each cut is unique and offers some tasty goodness. The flat is a cut that is covered with a layer of fat, that fat can be crucial in producing one of the best briskets ever. When you choose your flat, make sure you choose one that is uniform in shape and one that has a thickness of at least one inch throughout.
If the thickness is less than an inch, the thinner part can dry out while cooking so that it’s not edible. The point cut is a cut that is smaller than the flat, it cooks a lot faster than the flat or the packer style. The flat will allow you to shred your meat after cooking as it will be tender enough to do so. The point also offers some delicious burnt ends that people love. The taste is bold and so moist.
The packer style is the whole brisket with no cutting done to it. This is a great choice if you are feeding a large crowd. You can really make this brisket go a long way when you are hosting an event or gathering. All of these cuts can be found in prime and choice grade.
Is There Really Any Difference?
Yes, there is a difference, each cut tastes different than the other. The texture of each cut is different as well. Each cut offers its own amount of marbling, which is very important to any cook.
Some people prefer a certain cut due to the flavor it offers or the texture it offers. Choosing a cut can be the cook’s preference for the one he likes the most.
Robert is a certified Pitmaster, with over a decade of experience in smoking the best meats you’ll ever feast upon. He also has a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio. When he’s not researching technical topics, he’s most likely barbecuing in his backyard.