Yes, you can freeze brisket. Smoked brisket freezes well, and it is a good way to save leftovers or buy ahead for a busy week. The keys are to cool it quickly, keep air away from it and reheat it gently. Done right, frozen brisket comes back tasting close to the day it was smoked.
Before You Freeze
Cool cooked brisket and get it into the fridge or freezer within two hours. That is the USDA guideline for cooked food left at room temperature.
Freeze brisket in larger pieces when you can, rather than in thin slices. A whole piece or a thick chunk holds its moisture better and can be sliced after it is reheated. If you do freeze slices, keep them stacked together.
Add a spoonful of the meat juices or a little beef broth to the package. That extra moisture helps protect the brisket in the freezer and when you reheat it.
The Best Way to Package It
Air is the main enemy of frozen meat. It causes freezer burn, which leaves dry, discolored patches. Vacuum sealing is the best way to prevent it because it removes nearly all of the air from the package.
If you do not have a vacuum sealer, wrap the brisket tightly in plastic wrap, then in a layer of foil, and place it in a freezer bag with the air pressed out. Label each package with the date and the weight.
Our Heat & Eat meats already come vacuum sealed, which makes them well suited to the freezer if you want to keep them longer than the fridge allows.
How Long Brisket Keeps
Vacuum-sealed smoked meat keeps in the fridge for up to two months, as long as it stays at or below 36 degrees. For longer storage, the freezer is the better choice.
The USDA advises that cooked meat is best used within two to three months of freezing for the best quality. Food kept frozen at 0 degrees stays safe longer than that, but the texture and flavor slowly decline over time.
How to Thaw Brisket
Thaw frozen brisket in the refrigerator. Most packages thaw in about a day, and larger pieces can take longer. Keep the package sealed and set it on a plate to catch any condensation.
Do not thaw brisket on the counter. Meat left at room temperature can spend too long in the temperature range where bacteria grow.
How to Reheat Brisket After Freezing
Once it is thawed, reheat brisket the same way you would reheat it from the fridge. A water bath works best for a sealed package.
- Submerge the sealed bag in a large pot of water.
- Bring the water to a gentle boil over medium high heat.
- Allow 15 to 20 minutes per pound once the water is at a gentle boil.
- Let the bag rest for 10 minutes before opening it.
- Slice against the grain and serve.
You can also reheat a sealed package straight from the freezer in a water bath. It will take noticeably longer, so check that the meat is hot all the way through before serving. The USDA recommends reheating leftovers to 165 degrees.
For brisket that is not sealed, use a covered dish in a 250 degree oven with a little broth. Our guide on how to reheat brisket covers every method in more detail.
Get Brisket From Stampede
Our brisket is slow smoked in the Texas style and sold by the pound at our restaurant in Mohnton and at our food truck at Ludwig’s Corner in Glenmoore. Times for every cut are on our Heat & Eat reheating page.