Brisket prices soar on growing appetite for barbecue

CBS News ^ | August 3, 2019 | Sarah Min

[C19fan]

Consumer demand for brisket in the U.S. has exploded over the past decade, thanks largely to the popularity of Texas barbecue. That has sent prices soaring for what was once a cheap cut of beef notorious for taking hours to cook. While the U.S. is ramping up beef production, it hasn't been enough to keep up with Americans' growing appetite for brisket.

[C19fan]

I bought a flat cut brisket at Costco. I was bit surprised at the high price per pound.

[raybbr]

All beef is expensive. It’s because we are using corn for fuel instead of feeding cows. 85% ground beef goes for almost $5 a pound.

[2ndDivisionVet]

I prefer pork ribs. And I live in Texas.

[P.O.E.]

Same thing happened with “buffalo wings”. Used to be able to buy large packages cheap - we’d use them as bait for crabbing.

Now they’re way too expensive for that purpose.

[JonPreston]

Instant pot brisket = fantastic Fall football weekends!

[PapaBear3625]

Instant Pot Pastrami

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqYwVCblHHw

uses the cheap brined corned-beef brisket that goes on sale around St Patricks Day. I tried it, and it comes out great.

[Sybeck1]

In Mississipi we go for pulled pork as BBQ.

[Openurmind]

Stockman sure are not getting much, It’s only running about 1.08 a pound on the hoof.

[JonPreston]

Thanks, that’s great YouTube. This guy knows pastrami!!!!

[piasa]

Same goes for formerly cheap oxtails.

[PapaBear3625]

One thing though: get the biggest corned beef package, because there’s a lot of shrinkage. The brining means that you are paying for a lot of water.

[central_va]

The briskets I see look tiny and cost $16.00!!!!!! $16 bucks for piece of meat rubber???

[nomorelurker]

I think it’s because of the popularity of pellet smokers. You can now do a brisket in your backyard about as well as a good BBQ joint.

[Lee'sGhost]

The headline is confusing. First they speak of brisket and then switch to barbecue. Barbecue is pulled or chopped pork, Eastern North Carolina style. Brisket is great too, but it’s not barbecue. I wish people up north could figure that out.

[Pollard]

Worst part it the size+price per pound for a whole brisket(not corned)

$25.00 or more, you better get it right. I did one in the smoker but didn’t quite cook it long enough so it was tough.

[Pollard]

short ribs too when you can find them

Got some from a neighbor who processed one of his cows. Grass fed and yummy

[Pollard]

If cooked(smoked) long enough and to an internal temp of 205 degrees, they’re melt in your mouth tender. 205 seems high but at that temp, the gristle liquefies and turns to a gelatin like substance.

[King Moonracer]

Time to invest in gout medication producers.

[central_va]

But is it worth the propane and the 4 hours to do it? By the time you are done you have an 10 inch by 10 inch brisket that feeds maybe four.

[BBB333]

“I think it’s because of the popularity of pellet smokers. You can now do a brisket in your backyard about as well as a good BBQ joint.”

Yes you can.

I have a Kamado (ceramic) smoker/grill and with a few purchased accessories I can and do smoke porkbutt for 24 hours without ever opening it up — the temp stays at my desired level (215 F). Easy and absolutely fantastic food, stores well in vacuum tubs in the freezer.

I’ve never done a brisket as they all cost the same no matter the size:

Full brisket: $40.00 ($3.00 pound)

Half brisket: $40.00 ($6.00 pound)

5 Pound brisket: $40.00 ($8.00 pound)

A bit of exaggeration above however I have seen 1 1/2# to 2# briskets at $11.99 pound...