Is it REALLY this expensive?

Well, I'm no brisket expert, but I am guessing that what you saw was probably the flat, and already trimmed (most expensive this way). The price for a trimmed flat in So Cal is around $4.50 per pound. The deals come when you buy the complete brisket, untrimmed, in the package. (Lot's of fat). I can get them at Smart and Final (basically a very small Costco or Sam's Club) for $1.19 per pound. Keep looking.......

sam's club in NY (Westchester County) the cryo flats are about 2.50 to 3.00/lb....

quote:

Is it REALLY this expensive?

No it shouldn't be if you're buying the right cut.

We've discussed on the forum how the term "brisket" doesn't always mean the same, so there will probably be some sort of confusion. Different parts of the country haven't even seen a full brisket

If it's a full brisket, untrimmed, with both the flat and the point and really ugly looking...it's a Packer Trim. In Ok and Texas it usually goes for about 89 cents to 1.50 a pound. Outside of the beef belt, it will be more, but usually not more than a $1 more or so.

If it's over $3, pretty much anyway, it's usually some sort of trim brisket. They'll first trim off the top thus leaving the flat and you have a trimmed flat. Even here, trimmed flats can easily hit the prices you're talking.

I don't do flats.

Unfortunately, the Sam's here for the last few months is only selling SELECT and I'm not thrilled. They said they don't get choice anymore.

My advise, check around and find a butcher or a BBQ place and ask them for the real deal.

Smokin'

Our Sam's here had gone up from $1.19 on choice packer singles to $1.69.

Case from $0.99 to $1.49.

Talk to the manager's and see what they will order.

Most Wallyworlds will have select packers and if they get shipped choice,they are the same price.

True untrimmed briskets are almost impossible to find in and around Philly. Sams and BJs only carry the cryo flats anymore, they are usually around $1.25/lb and call them whole briskets. But as someone who knows what a real whole brisket is, these are less than acceptable. I have spoken to a few butchers in the area and they want $3.00+/lb for a brisket. I do miss living in Oklahoma where they know what a brisket should be.

Gloria in NJ
Misplaced Oklahoman

If you can get those cryo flats ,around 6 lbs, from Sam's for $ 1.25/lb.- I'd buy a few.

There are a number of teams that cook them,as well as many of the caterers.

They cook pretty well in a CS,although your technique might need a little adjusting.

I agree, Tom... those 6-lb cryo flats from Sam's cook up great in a CS... at 225, it will take about 6-8 hrs to hit 200 internal. Plenty moist and juicy. Foil and hold in a cooler for several more hours, no problem.