Quick Answer
Beef brisket and corned beef brisket start out as the same cut of meat, but they go through different processes which result in some notable differences. Beef brisket is simply smoked or roasted while corned beef brisket is brined or “corned” before being cooked.
What is Beef Brisket?
Beef brisket is cut from the breast or lower chest area of a cow. It’s a tough, sinewy piece of meat that contains a lot of connective tissue. This makes it well-suited for long, slow cooking methods like smoking, braising, or roasting.
The fat marbling in brisket helps keep it moist during the cooking process. Common ways to prepare beef brisket include:
- Smoking or barbecuing – The brisket is seasoned with a dry rub and smoked slowly over indirect heat for 8-12 hours. This breaks down the connective tissue and results in tender, smoky meat.
- Braising – The brisket is browned and then cooked for a few hours in a flavorful liquid like broth, beer, or barbecue sauce until fork tender.
- Roasting – The brisket is roasted uncovered in the oven for several hours until it reaches the desired tenderness.
What is Corned Beef Brisket?
Corned beef brisket starts out as a fresh beef brisket that has been cured or “corned.” This curing process involves soaking the meat in a brine solution for an extended period of time.
The brine is made up of water, salt, spices, and preservatives like sodium nitrite. It gives the corned beef its signature pinkish-red color, unique flavor, and longer shelf life.
After brining, the corned beef brisket must be cooked before eating. Common cooking methods include:
- Boiling or simmering – The brisket is submerged in liquid and gently simmered for 2-4 hours until tender.
- Steaming – The meat is placed in a steamer pot with seasonings and steamed for several hours.
- Roasting – Some recipes call for roasting the corned beef brisket to get a crusty exterior.
The finished cooked corned beef will have a distinct salty, seasoned flavor compared to regular brisket.
Key Differences
While beef brisket and corned beef brisket start as the same cut, the main differences include:
Curing Process
- Beef brisket – Not cured or brined
- Corned beef brisket – Cured in a brine solution
Flavor
- Beef brisket – Savory beefy flavor from smoking or braising
- Corned beef brisket – Seasoned, salty flavor from curing brine
Color
- Beef brisket – Reddish-brown exterior from cooking
- Corned beef brisket – Pinkish-red color from curing process
Cooking Methods
- Beef brisket – Smoking, braising, roasting
- Corned beef brisket – Simmering, steaming, roasting after brining
Texture
- Beef brisket – Tender and juicy after low and slow cooking
- Corned beef brisket – Firm but moist texture
Can They Be Used Interchangeably?
For the most part, beef brisket and corned beef brisket cannot be used interchangeably in recipes.
If a recipe calls for smoked or barbecued brisket, you can’t substitute corned beef brisket since the seasoned cured flavor will be noticeably different.
Likewise, if a recipe requires corned beef brisket, using a fresh brisket won’t give you the expected pinkish color and salty flavor after cooking.
However, in some cases, you may be able to tweak a recipe to work with either type of brisket. For example, you could use a homemade brisket-style rub on corned beef brisket before roasting it to offset the seasoned brine flavor. Or you could braise a fresh brisket in broth flavored with corned beef spices.
Still, in most cases, the two types of brisket work best when used as intended in order to get the expected results from a recipe.
Buying and Storing Brisket
When shopping for brisket at the grocery store or butcher shop, look for a cut that is well-marbled with fat streaks throughout. This helps ensure it will be moist and tender after cooking. The brisket should also have a thick, even shape.
For fresh beef brisket, look for a brisket that feels firm to the touch and has a bright red color. Avoid any meat that looks gray or slimy.
Pre-brined corned beef brisket will have a pink or red color. Check the packaging date and only select brisket that has been recently packaged.
Both types of brisket should be stored properly in the refrigerator until ready to cook. Fresh brisket will usually stay fresh for 3-4 days, while corned beef brisket sealed in its brine can last 7-10 days.
For longer storage, brisket can be frozen for 2-3 months until needed. Remember to thaw completely in the fridge before cooking.
How to Cook Brisket
Here is a quick overview of how to cook each type of brisket:
Fresh Beef Brisket
- Generously season the brisket with a dry rub.
- Slow cook the brisket either by smoking for 8-12 hours between 225-250°F, braising for 3-4 hours on the stovetop or in the oven at 300°F, or roasting uncovered at 275°F until tender.
- Rest the brisket for 20-30 minutes before slicing against the grain to serve.
Corned Beef Brisket
- If packaged in a brine solution, rinse the brisket and discard the liquid.
- Place brisket in a pot and cover with water or other braising liquid like beef broth.
- Add any desired seasonings like peppercorns, bay leaves, cloves, etc.
- Gently simmer the brisket covered for 2-4 hours until fork tender.
- Let rest 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Recipes for Both Types of Brisket
Here are some recipe ideas showcasing the differences between beef brisket and corned beef brisket:
Texas-Style Smoked Beef Brisket
– Dry rub: Brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper
– Smoked over indirect heat for 10-12 hours
– Ideal for sandwiches
Beer Braised Corned Beef Brisket
– Brined corned beef brisket
– Braised in beer, broth, and spices
– Delicious served with cabbage or potatoes
Oven Roasted Brisket with Gravy
– Fresh beef brisket roasted uncovered
– Make gravy from drippings
– Perfect for dinner with mashed potatoes
New England Boiled Dinner
– Corned beef brisket
– Simmered cabbage, carrots, potatoes
– Traditional Irish-American dish
Conclusion
While beef brisket and corned beef brisket originate from the same cut of meat, they are prepared differently and have distinct textures and flavors. Beef brisket is smoked or roasted, while corned beef brisket is brined and then simmered or steamed. Substituting one for the other in recipes may not lead to the expected results. When shopping, look for properly marbled brisket and store refrigerated until ready to cook. Both types of brisket benefit from long, slow moist-heat cooking methods and make delicious, tender entrees for any meal.