Rest Brisket On Counter | 8 Important Facts!

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Many cooks don’t know that it’s an important step to let your meat rest before cutting and serving it. When you allow your brisket to rest you will find that the resting period helps to keep your meat moist and juicy.

Resting will allow the liquids and the juices to redistribute through the meat.

Resting also allows you to cut your meat easily and more accurately. Brisket isn’t the only meat that you should let rest before cutting or serving. Most meats are better if they have had a resting period. 

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What Temperature Should The Meat Come Down To?

Before cutting your meat, the temperature should come down to about 140 degrees. This can take around an hour to 90 minutes, depending on the size of the brisket.

Placing your pan on the counter with your brisket in it and leaving it there uncovered will help the resting process. Once it is at the 140 degree temperature, you can then cut your meat and serve it. You will find that your brisket is much more juicy and that your slices can be cut thin while your meat is still holding together. 

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The Benefits of Resting Your Meat On the Counter 

Allowing your meat to rest allows the juices of the meat to be absorbed into the meat. This will provide you a juicy and tasty meat with each bite. If you are looking for the best way to lock in the flavor and the juices of your brisket, you will find that resting your brisket on the counter will yield you the best results that are tender and tasty.

The center of your brisket will become saturated with juices and when you cut into it before it’s rested, all of those delicious juices will just come pouring out with your first cut. By simply removing your brisket from the cooking pan and placing it on a platter and covering it loosely with foil, you can help maintain those awesome juices and flavors. Wrapping your brisket tightly in foil can cause the meat to sweat out all of the flavors and juices that you are trying so hard to preserve. 

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Downsides Of Resting Your Meat On The Counter

The only downside of resting meat on your counter is if you do it incorrectly. Resting allows you to keep those beautiful juices locked inside your brisket. You will want to make sure that you let your brisket rest long enough to lock those juices and flavors in. Lightly cover it with foil while it’s resting.

If you wrap it too tightly, that can be a downside as your brisket can sweat out all of the good stuff you are trying to keep, such as flavors and juices. Another downside may be having to keep others out of it while it’s resting.

The smell of a freshly cooked brisket can be a big attractant, so keep your eye on it so everyone isn’t trying to have a pinch. Another con to resting your brisket is the time it takes. It’s a waiting period and can be hard with all of those wonderful smells that your brisket puts off. 

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Do You Put a Brisket Anywhere Else After Resting On The Counter ?

After you have allowed your brisket to rest on the counter, you can then slice it and serve it. You may find that you have a lot of brisket left over after serving and you can take that brisket and wrap it in foil or in an air-tight container for serving later. Perhaps you want to put some of your brisket in the freezer.

If you opt to put some of it in the freezer, you can easily wrap it up in foil tightly and place it in a zip lock bag and then put it in the freezer. You can keep the brisket in your freezer for several weeks and it will still be great.

When you are ready to eat it just heat it and serve it. Wrapping it in foil and placing it in the oven for a few minutes until it is heated through will help keep the flavor and juices in and it may even taste better than the first time that you served it. 

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How Long Can You Rest Brisket On The Counter ?

You can rest your brisket on the counter for about 2 hours. The 2 hours should be plenty of time for your brisket to cool down some and to lock in the flavors and the juices. You will love how easily your brisket will cut and how delicious it will taste.

Not allowing your brisket to rest long enough can cost you some flavors, as well as the juices that can be the key to having a great brisket.  Also, a brisket that has not rested long enough is going to be a little hard to cut, which can make it look messy.

For a smaller cut brisket, you can allow a shorter resting period. Never skip the resting period of your brisket or other meats as it’s an important step in creating the best meat possible. 

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How Long Should You Let Your Brisket Rest Before Putting It In The Fridge ?

Letting your brisket rest for at least 15 minutes before placing it in the fridge will work out well. Don’t slice your brisket before placing it in the fridge after 15 minutes.

You will find that if you wait until you are ready to serve your brisket, that it will cut better cold. You will be able to slice your brisket into some very thin slices if you wait until it’s cold before slicing it. All of your flavors and juices will be locked into your brisket as well, providing you a great flavor. Once you’ve sliced it, heat it and serve it. 

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Rest Brisket Wrapped or Unwrapped ?

Let your brisket rest unwrapped. You may choose to lightly place a piece of foil over it, but you don’t want to wrap the foil tightly around the brisket. A tight wrapping can cause your brisket to sweat out all of the flavors that you worked so hard to keep in.

One of your main goals with your brisket is for it to be juicy and full of flavor. Once it’s cooled and if you have brisket left, you can then wrap it tightly in foil for serving another time.