Feeding the troops

[thefuzzman]

So I've got a question......How many people, roughly, will a 10lb brisket feed?  I'm smoking my first brisket on the long weekend in July.  My brisket is 10.5 lb and absolutely beautiful.  Just curious if this will be alright for 8 people.  What do you guys think?

[Saber 4]

I would think that would work well for 8 normal eating people, of course as good as it will turn out in the Bradley you may need to as they stuff themselves, at least that's what would happen in Texas. :D

[Habanero Smoker]

I also feel you should be alright. One pound of cooked brisket should feed 2.5 hearty guys. Even if you calculate 55% loss in weight (which is on the high end of weight loss) through trimming and cooking you will still have around 4.75lbs. of cooked meat. It still may be a good idea to have a second protein available. Something that doesn't need to be cooked long, such as wings, or chicken legs; which can be cooked on the grill or in the oven.

[thefuzzman]

Yeah,  I was already thinking of doing some chicken beasts as well. I just like you guys to confirm my thinking. Ball park 13 hours for this size brisket?

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[Habanero Smoker]

I haven't done a brisket in awhile, but most members calculate 1.5 - 2 hours per pound for brisket; cooking at 225°F. A lot depends on the time it takes the cabinet to get back up to your set temperature, and the ambient temperature.

[thefuzzman]

Thanks Hab. I'll make sure to do the math on that.

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[RedJada]

Don't for get the salads, potato, macaroni. Baked/BBQ beans and photos....

[thefuzzman]

Oh yeah. The bride is building her baked beans and we'll have salads and garlic bread to last us the week!  Can't say how pumped I am to do my first brisket!

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[Habanero Smoker]

If you want to give them an additional "Wow Factor", serve them Bacon Bites as a starter or snack after the meal. There are many recipes on the net, but the one I've been using for almost 4 years is the one below.
Bacon Bite - King Arthur

The first time I made them my prep time was almost an hour, so take that into account. Also I look for the leanest center cut bacon I can find, which often turns out to be Oscar Myer brand. Also don't take a chance with just having 1 pound of bacon on hand. Have a second pound on hand. The recipe makes 60 individual Bacon Bites.

[WoodlawnSmoker]

Nice, let's see some pics of the happy troops.  And Habanero, that looks like a must try bacon bite recipe, thanks.

[ragweed]

X2 on the bacon bite recipe, Habs.  Sounds like just the one for Hillbilly bacon.  It can be almost too lean. 

[thefuzzman]

I admit, I didn't have the time to make the bacon bites. Guess I'm gonna have to make another brisket.  Oh well. As for the first one. That bad boy was a HUGE success! I really need to thank all the members who willingly give up their tips and tricks for smoking and grilling everything and anything. Extra thanks to habs and saber for this brisket. Good color and great bark. You guys weren't kidding about low and slow. Thirteen hours for 10.5 lbs. 4am comes early. The only problem I had was not enough burnt ends!  The guys destroyed those and then begged me to turn the whole thing into burnt ends! It was an absolute hit. Pretty nervous about tackling a brisket but with all your guy's help and posts, it was pretty much a walk in the park. Sorry, no pics. I can smoke meat but can't figure that part out. Huh.

[KyNola]

Congrats!

[thefuzzman]

Thanks ky. By the way.  2 hours cherry, 1 hour whiskey oak and 1 hour mesquite. Too much? What do you guys think?

[manfromplaid]

if the smoke was the way you like it   thats what counts.  from your neighbor in warburg
jeff