Do you have some tasty brisket you’d love to reheat?
If so, you’re in the right place. We’ve made plenty of briskets in our day, and with the territory of making briskets comes the factor of reheating the leftovers when you’ve made too much.
Read on to learn all about how to reheat brisket.
How to Reheat Brisket
If you’re a fan of smoked brisket, you understand how important it is to get the perfect cook with the meat. Leftovers aren’t as easy—if you cook them wrong, the food will come out chewy and dry. Luckily, there are a few tactics you can take to get another excellent meal out of your tasty cut.
The key to reheating brisket is to hold the moisture and tenderness inside the product while heating it. There are various kitchen appliances you can use, along with your classic smoker or gas grill. Whether you’re new to the world of reheating brisket or trying to right the wrongs from your past endeavors, it’s worth it for a great meal.
Method 1: Use a Smoker or Gas Grill
If you have a smoker or gas grill, such as a Traeger, it’s one of the best ways to heat your brisket while keeping the texture as close to the original cooking as possible. It’s efficient and won’t take too long to prepare for a meal.
To use a smoker or a gas grill:
- Heat the device to around 225 degrees Fahrenheit
- Wrap the brisket, ensuring it’s under two layers of aluminum foil
- Put the product in a baking pan and add a cup of reserved juices to the bottom
- Add more foil to the top of the pan
- Place it in the smoker or gas grill
- Cook until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit
The juices are critical for cooking. They will ensure the brisket retains moisture, making every bite of those leftovers incredible.
Method 2: Try the Slow Cooker
A slow cooker is another excellent way to reheat your brisket. This method might take a little longer, but it’s ideal if you have bonus time and want to ensure you keep as much moisture in the brisket as possible.
To use a slow cooker to reheat your brisket:
- Open the cooker and add any additional dripping or broth, then place the brisket on top
- Turn the temperature to low
- Cook the brisket for a few hours until the interior reaches at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit
- Remove the brisket and slice to any liking
A slow cooker is an excellent way to cook if you have time. It’s also a device most people have sitting right in their kitchen.
Method 3: Use an Oven
Most people have an oven. If you don’t have a grill or don’t want to go outside to cook, an oven is a practical way to reheat your brisket. It’s a classic way to reheat meat and will ensure the product remains inside the product.
To use the oven to cook your brisket:
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit
- Add your brisket to an oven-safe pan
- Pour drippings or beef broth over the leftover brisket
- Make two layers of aluminum foil and wrap it over the meat
- Cook the meat for a little under an hour until the internal temperature is around 165 degrees Fahrenheit
- Allow the product to rest for fifteen minutes before eating
It won’t take too long to reheat the brisket in your kitchen. An oven is an effective way to warm your brisket. It’s also one of the best ways to retain moisture inside the meat if you’re worried about losing it.
Method 4: Use a Sous Vide Machine
Finally, the sous vide machine makes it simple to reheat your brisket wherever you want to, whenever you want to. Sous Vide machines use water to reheat the food, which means you can lock in the moisture and access the materials you need from anywhere.
Here’s the process for reheating with a sous vide machine:
- Heat the machine to 135 degrees Fahrenheit
- Add the brisket in a vacuum-sealed bag
- Put the drippings or broth in the bag, then seal it and place it in the container
- Cook the brisket for an hour
- Take it out, then sear it for about an hour
- Allow the product to rest before eating it
If you’re worried about moisture and keeping an even temperature, sous vide machine, such as this product from Anova, is practical. Also, it allows you to bring up that delicious grill flavor without going outside.
What Is the Best Way to Reheat Brisket?
If you have the opportunity, the best way to reheat brisket is to heat it up on a smoker or the grill. It’s easiest to retain moisture and will ensure the product is heated up evenly. Of course, not everyone has access to a grill or smoker, or maybe you don’t want to fire yours up just for reheating.
Other effective methods include the oven and a slow cooker. These are more practical kitchen tools that more people will have in their arsenal, easy to turn off and plop the brisket right inside.
How Can You Reheat Brisket Without Drying It Out?
The best way to keep moisture inside your brisket when heating it up is to add retained liquid inside the container. Adding it to the brisket pan during cooking will ensure your meat comes out in one piece.
The less moisture you have for the brisket, the higher the risk you run off the meat coming out dry. If you don’t have any retained liquid to add, beef broth will also work well.
What Can You Do With Your Leftover Brisket?
Not sure what to do with your leftover brisket? There are plenty of options.
Here are a few of the tastiest choices for your leftover meat:
- Brisket quesadillas
- Brisket sliders
- Brisket tacos
- Brisket chili
- Top a salad
- Add it to a soup
- Use it as a Mac n Cheese topping
Of course, you can always eat brisket plain if you don’t want to do any additional work. However, it’s also easy to add to tacos and beyond to make them taste incredible.
Making brisket for the first time? Check out our Best Brisket Rub recipe to add to your brisket.
