How to Cook Beef Brisket Strips To Perfection

Beef brisket strips can be an intimidating cut of meat to cook, but with the right techniques, they can come out incredibly tender and delicious. This flavorful cut taken from the breast section of the cow deserves a bit of patience and attention, but the results are well worth the effort. In this article, I’ll walk you through all my tips and tricks for cooking beef brisket strips perfectly every time.

Selecting Your Brisket Strips

The first step is choosing high-quality brisket strips. Look for ones with good marbling, which means thin veins of fat running throughout the meat. This fat keeps the brisket moist during cooking. I recommend choosing brisket strips that are 1-2 pounds each so they are a manageable size. Plan for about 1⁄2 pound of meat per person. Angus beef tends to have excellent marbling and flavor.

When shopping, inspect the color. It should be bright red with some white fat marbling rather than brown or gray. Also, give the brisket a sniff – it should have a fresh beef aroma without any sourness. Once home, trim off any large hard pieces of fat for better texture after cooking.

Preparing the Meat

There are a few steps I like to take to prepare the brisket strips before cooking:

• Create a rub Making your own dry rub adds so much flavor Try mixing together 2 tablespoons each of paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Generously coat the brisket strips on all sides with the rub

• Marinate overnight: For even more flavor infusion, cover the rubbed brisket strips and let them marinate in the fridge overnight. The salt in the rub will help tenderize the meat.

• Pat dry Before cooking, pat the brisket strips dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture

Starting with properly trimmed and seasoned brisket strips prevents them from drying out and really boosts the flavor.

Cooking Methods

There are several good options for cooking brisket strips. The key is using moist heat and cooking them low and slow. Here are some techniques to try:

Oven Roast

• Preheat oven to 275°F
• Place brisket strips fat-side up in roasting pan and cover tightly with foil
• Roast for about 1 hour 15 minutes per pound until fork tender
• Remove foil and roast another 30 minutes to brown outside

Slow Cooker

• Sear brisket strips in skillet on all sides
• Place in slow cooker and add onion, garlic, broth, and spices
• Cook on low setting for 6-8 hours until fall-apart tender

Grill

• Create a hot and cool side on your grill
• Cook brisket strips over direct heat just until browned
• Move to indirect heat, close lid, and grill for 2-3 hours until 195°F internal temp

Braise

• Brown brisket strips all over in Dutch oven
• Add broth, onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and seasonings
• Simmer covered on stovetop or in 300°F oven for 3-4 hours until tender

No matter which cooking method you choose, always let the brisket strips rest at least 15-20 minutes before slicing so the juices can reabsorb into the meat.

Ensuring Tenderness

Cooking brisket strips properly comes down to two key factors: temperature and time. Brisket contains a lot of collagen that needs to break down, which requires cooking at around 200°F-210°F to melt those tough connective tissues into gelatin. This gives the meat its succulent texture.

Depending on thickness, plan on cooking the brisket strips for 1-2 hours per pound. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness, aiming for 195°F-205°F in the thickest part of the meat. When done, it will feel very tender when poked with a fork. The meat should shred easily along the natural grain.

Flavoring Ideas

Beyond just salt and pepper, there are so many ways to add flavor to brisket strips. Consider injecting with a marinade, mopping on a homemade barbecue sauce during cooking, or adding aromatics to the pan like onions, garlic, spices, citrus, and fresh herbs.

Some ideas for sauces and marinades:

• Sweet BBQ Sauce – ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar
• Savory Dry Rub – chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic, oregano
• Asian Marinade – soy sauce, lime, ginger, sesame oil, garlic
• Wine & Herb Marinade – red wine, rosemary, thyme, Worcestershire
• Chipotle Marinade – adobo sauce, orange juice, lime juice, cilantro

The seasoning possibilities are endless for making these brisket strips truly mouthwatering. Brush on glazes and sauces during the last 30 minutes of cooking so they caramelize slightly on the meat.

Serving Suggestions

Once the brisket strips are perfectly cooked, you’ll want sides and toppings that complement the meat well. Here are some ideas:

• Sandwiches with BBQ sauce, pickle chips, and coleslaw on brioche buns
• Tacos with pico de gallo, guacamole, and lime crema
• Baked potatoes loaded with shredded brisket and cheese
• On top of macaroni and cheese or baked beans
• Chopped brisket over garden salad with ranch dressing
• With roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes

Slicing the brisket strips against the grain before serving makes them incredibly tender and easy to chew. Leftovers also make fantastic sandwiches and hearty additions to soups and stews.