You’ve probably devoured multiple pieces of a deliciously smoked brisket during the holidays. But as filling and mouth-watering as this lean cut of meat is, is it even healthy?
In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know about briskets and answer your burning question: Is brisket healthy?
What is a Brisket?
Generally speaking, brisket is a cut of beef or veal that comes directly from the lower chest of the animal. Since the brisket is located right above the shank, it comes off as rather tough meat, which means it’s slightly on the chewier side. Not to mention, 60% of the animal’s body weight is supported by brisket muscles. Due to this, brisket is the preferable cut when it comes to ground beef.
Is Brisket Healthy?
Let’s be honest; not everyone has a perfect diet. But we’ve always heard how beef is a good source of protein. So, does that mean brisket is healthy? Well, not quite. Brisket cuts are usually used to make corned beef, which means besides the high amounts of sodium, there are tons of calories in a single cut.
Nonetheless, despite all that, brisket is somewhat healthy for you. It increases the good level of cholesterol in your body. This is especially true in the case of a flat-cut brisket. These trims contain a lot of essential nutrients that are beneficial for your overall health, such as oleic acid. This prevents heart disease due to the increased production of HDL in your body.
Is Brisket Fatty or Lean Meat?
Believe it or not, brisket comprises of two vital parts: Flat and Point. Given that it has these different parts, the meat can sometimes be considered fatty or lean, depending on the ratio of flat vs. point. However, according to the USDA’s ranking, brisket is classified as a lean cut of meat.
Is Brisket High in Sodium?
Depending on the dry rub, most of the meat you eat can have alternating nutritional facts. For instance, a brisket roast with minimal dry rub and brine won’t have as much sodium. On the other hand, corned beef will have extremely high levels of sodium since it is marinated in pure salt.
For normal brisket, a 3 oz. serving contains around 191mg of sodium. Whereas in the case of corned beef, a 3 oz. serving has 827mg of sodium.
Is Brisket Bad for Cholesterol?
Contrary to popular belief, brisket is not bad for cholesterol. In fact, if anything, it’s a great source of heightening your body’s HDL levels. HDL, or high-density lipoprotein, is the ‘good’ kind of cholesterol. It lowers your chances of getting a heart attack, among other cardiovascular diseases.
Got a Craving for Brisket?
Let’s not deny it; brisket is absolutely delicious. Rather than grinding it down for ground beef, you can have it in so many other forms. And the best part? (besides being so tasty) Brisket is super healthy. It improves your HDL count.
In the mood for some brisket boldness? Call King Jerry Lawler’s Memphis BBQ Company at (281)-864-5298 (Wallisville Road) or (832)-446-6557 (Jester Blvd. Suite) to place a customized order of your BBQ dreams!