Brisket is a cut of beef or veal from the breast or lower chest. It’s considered to be one of the best cuts for slow-smoked barbecue. It’s widely used in dishes in many countries and cooked many different ways. If you cook it in your home, there’s a good chance that your dog will expect a portion. Find out if it’s safe for dogs to eat brisket below.
Nutrition
Since brisket is used in many countries, it can be cooked in different ways. It’s baked, boiled, braised, stewed, roasted, and smoked, depending on how you intend to use the meat. Brisket is also used for making corned beef.
The brisket itself is a tough cut of meat. It contains a cow’s pectoral muscles so it has lots of connective tissue. That’s why brisket is normally cooked slowly, for a long time to make it tender and juicy. When it is cooked in this manner, the resulting meat dish can be soft and flavorful. Brisket also contains fat that contributes to the richness of the taste. Herbs and vegetables are sometimes added to the brisket while it’s cooking. Dry rub spices can be included for barbecue.
As for nutrition, 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of lean beef brisket contains 157 calories. It has 20.7 grams of protein, 7.37 grams of fat, 0.6 grams of carbohydrates, no fiber, and no sugars. The amount of fat can vary depending on how the brisket is trimmed.
It is very high in phosphorus and potassium. It also has a moderate amount of choline as well as some calcium, iron, magnesium, sodium, zinc, selenium, B vitamins, vitamin K, fatty acids, and folate.
In the past brisket has had a reputation for being a fatty, unhealthy cut of meat. However, the flat cut (as opposed to the point cut) of the brisket has less fat and connective tissue. The flat cut is characterized as a lean cut of meat by USDA.
The protein from a cut of beef such as brisket is considered a “complete” protein because it has all of the essential amino acids your body needs to make protein compounds. The complete protein in lean brisket can support weight loss.
Conjugated linoleic acid, one of the fatty acids in brisket, may help prevent diabetes, high cholesterol and cancer cell growth.
According to researchers at Texas A&M, brisket has some health benefits that were previously unknown. Beef brisket contains high levels of oleic acid. Oleic acid produces high levels of HDL or “good” cholesterol They can help lower your risk of heart disease. They also lower your LDLs – the “bad” kind of cholesterol.
In addition, brisket is slow-cooked at lower temperatures. The fat in brisket melts at low temperatures. Unlike some other meats, it doesn’t have to be grilled at high temperatures so there is no reason for the carcinogens heterocyclic amine (HCA) or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to form. The marinades and spices used on briskets to make barbecue can also reduce the risk of creating HCAs while grilling. Thyme, sage, and garlic can help eliminate this risk.
Can you give your dog brisket to eat?
Yes, dogs can eat brisket but you need to take a few precautions. We mentioned that brisket can be prepared many different ways. If you’re going to give some to your dog, the brisket needs to be cooked plain. Don’t give your dog brisket that has added herbs or spices. Avoid using salt and pepper if possible. You may be cooking the brisket for yourself so try to leave a section that is free from salt and pepper for your dog.
Barbecued brisket is a bad idea for your dog since it’s often made with a spicy dry rub or a sauce that includes onion and garlic.
We don’t recommend corned beef (usually made from brisket) for your dog either – not more than a bite. Corned beef is typically cured or pickled in brine. Your dog may love the taste but too much sodium is bad for your dog. The added nitrates in corned beef have also been linked to an increased risk of cancer in mice.
If you want to give your dog some brisket, we suggest that you buy the brisket at the grocery store or butcher’s shop and cook it yourself. You can cook it long and slow in a slow cooker or in the oven. It can take 24 hours in a crockpot or 10 hours in the oven on 275 F, depending on the size of the brisket.
If your dog is allergic to beef, you should obviously not give him any brisket.
How much brisket can your dog eat?
Most dogs love beef and brisket will be a popular treat. Since brisket is a good source of protein, you can add a moderate amout of plain brisket to your dog’s food.
It’s a good idea to shred the meat before you give it to your dog to minimize any risk of choking. Brisket that has been cooked slowly for a long time should be tender. It should be easy to pull apart.
A small dog may be able to eat between 50-100 grams (up to 3.5 ounces). Medium and large dogs may eat up to about 6 ounces.
As always, watch your dog afterwards to make sure he has no ill effects from eating the beef.
How often can you give your dog brisket?
If your dog enjoys brisket and you don’t mind cooking it for him, you can add it to his food once or twice per week, in moderation.
Remember to keep the brisket you give your dog plain.
Conclusion
Brisket is a relatively inexpensive cut of beef compared to some others. There are many ways to prepare it. If you would like to cook it slowly, over a low temperature for your dog, without added herbs and spices, your dog will probably enjoy it in moderation. The protein in beef brisket is considered “complete” and provides all of the amino acids the body needs. If you choose the flat cut of brisket, it is not especially high in fat or calories. You can also trim fat off the brisket before cooking.
