National Brisket Day – May. 28, 2027

National Brisket Day
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Every May 28
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National Brisket Day celebrates the beloved cut of beef every May 28. Known for its rich flavor and versatility, brisket is a staple in barbecue traditions and a star in many global cuisines. Gather your friends and family, fire up the smoker or oven, and explore new recipes to make this day delicious.

Want to sponsor National Brisket Day? Learn how

Expected National Brisket Day Deals

While we wait for official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National Brisket Day often brings savory deals from top barbecue joints and meat retailers. Look for discounts on brisket cuts at stores like Omaha Steaks and Crowd Cow, perfect for home smoking. Fast-casual chains such as Dickey’s Barbecue Pit and Famous Dave’s are likely to offer special brisket sandwiches or platters. Keep an eye on local butcher shops and specialty grocery stores for premium cuts. Brands like Meat Church and Traeger Grills might feature promotions on rubs, sauces, or smoking equipment. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as May 28 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Brisket Day

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalBrisketDay. Share your best brisket recipes, smoking tips, or taste tests in short, engaging videos.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalBrisketDay. Post mouth-watering photos of your smoked brisket, creative brisket dishes, or even a behind-the-scenes look at your cooking process.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalBrisketDay. Share your favorite local barbecue spots, brisket cooking challenges, or host a virtual brisket potluck with friends and family.

Social Media Tips for National Brisket Day

Individuals

Host a backyard barbecue, experiment with a new brisket recipe, or visit your favorite local BBQ joint to celebrate. Share your delicious brisket creations with friends and family.

Creators

Develop a 'Brisket Battle' series comparing different cooking methods (smoked vs. braised) or regional styles. Create a tutorial for beginners on how to trim and season a brisket.

Brands

Run a 'Best Brisket Recipe' contest, encouraging user-generated content and offering prizes. Partner with a local pitmaster for a live cooking demo or offer special discounts on brisket-related products.

Top Brands for National Brisket Day

  1. Franklin Barbecue

    Founded by Aaron Franklin in Austin, Texas, Franklin Barbecue is renowned for its exceptional, melt-in-your-mouth brisket. Often cited as one of the best barbecue restaurants in the world, it draws lines hours long for its legendary smoked meats.

  2. Dickey's Barbecue Pit

    Established in 1941 in Dallas, Texas, Dickey's Barbecue Pit is the largest barbecue franchise in the world. They are known for their slow-smoked meats, including their signature beef brisket, served in a casual, family-friendly atmosphere.

  3. Omaha Steaks

    Founded in 1917 in Omaha, Nebraska, Omaha Steaks is a leading provider of gourmet steaks and other meats delivered directly to consumers. They offer high-quality brisket cuts, perfect for home chefs looking to create their own barbecue masterpieces.

  4. Meat Church

    Based in Waxahachie, Texas, Meat Church is a popular brand specializing in barbecue rubs, seasonings, and accessories. Founded by Matt Pittman, they are a go-to resource for pitmasters and home cooks seeking to elevate their brisket game.

  5. Traeger Grills

    Invented in 1985 in Mount Hood, Oregon, Traeger Grills pioneered the wood pellet grill, combining the flavor of wood smoke with the ease of a gas grill. Their smokers are highly popular for achieving perfectly cooked brisket with consistent results.

  6. The Salt Lick BBQ

    A legendary open-pit barbecue restaurant located in Driftwood, Texas, The Salt Lick BBQ has been serving its famous, all-you-can-eat brisket since 1967. It's a quintessential Texas experience, known for its unique cooking style and rustic charm.

  7. Kingsford

    Kingsford charcoal was founded in 1920 by Edward G. Kingsford, a relative of Henry Ford, to use wood scraps from Ford's auto production. It remains one of the most recognized brands in grilling and smoking, essential for many brisket enthusiasts.

National Brisket Day Hero

Aaron Franklin

Aaron Franklin is an American pitmaster and restaurateur, widely considered one of the most influential figures in modern barbecue. As the owner of Franklin Barbecue in Austin, Texas, he revolutionized the perception of brisket, elevating it to a culinary art form. His meticulous approach to smoking, focusing on quality ingredients and precise technique, earned him a James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: Southwest in 2015, making him the first pitmaster to receive such an honor. Franklin's work has inspired countless home cooks and professional chefs to master the craft of brisket.

National Brisket Day timeline

1700s
Brisket in Europe

Many Central and Eastern European Jews enjoy brisket at religious gatherings such as Passover.

1910
Earliest Evidence

A newspaper advertisement of two grocery stores in Texas mentions brisket.

Late 1950s
First Brisket-Centered Restaurant

Black’s Barbecue in Lockhart, Texas becomes the first restaurant to offer brisket exclusively on its barbecue menu.

1966
How Brisket Got its Name

The Second Edition of “Random House Dictionary of the English Language” states that ‘brisket’ is derived from the Middle-English word ‘brusket.’

2017
Young Sheldon

In an episode of the sitcom “Young Sheldon,” a family feud rises over a brisket recipe.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Brisket Day

Local restaurants and food trucks can feature special brisket-themed menus, offering unique sandwiches, tacos, or even brisket-infused appetizers. Butcher shops can run promotions on different cuts of brisket, providing cooking tips and recipe cards to customers. Catering companies might highlight their brisket offerings for corporate events or private parties. Even non-food businesses can join in by hosting a brisket potluck for employees or partnering with a local BBQ joint to offer customer discounts, creating a savory experience for everyone.

National Brisket Day FAQs

When is National Brisket Day?

In 2027, National Brisket Day is observed on a Friday, May 28. Get ready to kick off the weekend with tender, flavorful brisket, whether homemade or from your favorite barbecue spot.

What are the different cuts of brisket?

Understanding the two primary cuts of brisket is key to cooking it perfectly. The flat cut offers a consistent shape and less fat, making it suitable for corned beef or pastrami, whereas the point cut’s higher fat content lends itself beautifully to slow smoking for maximum tenderness.

How much brisket is consumed in the US?

Brisket’s popularity, particularly in barbecue culture, contributes significantly to U.S. beef consumption. Texas alone accounts for a substantial portion, with countless backyard smokers and renowned pitmasters dedicating themselves to perfecting this cut.

What's the best way to cook brisket?

While smoking is a popular choice, brisket can also be braised, roasted, or even pressure-cooked. Braising in liquid creates a fall-apart tender dish, while roasting offers a simpler approach, each method bringing out different facets of the meat’s rich flavor.

National Brisket Day Activities

  1. Get some smoke in your eyes

    Smoking a whole brisket is a fun cooking project. It calls for the low-and-slow treatment, so you want to keep the temperature of your smoker no higher than 250 degrees, and aim for about an hour and a quarter per pound of meat. Start with a dry rub, and finish with a Texas-style sauce, some crusty rolls or roasted potatoes, and plenty of beer. According to one of the top Austin PR Firms, Austin barbecue restaurants go through an average of 3,000 pounds of brisket every week!

  2. Corn your own beef

    Sure, you could buy some packaged corn beef straight from the grocery store. Yet corning your own beef is easy, tastier than the commercial varieties, and available all year ‘round. It’s not dissimilar to pickling, so find a big pot and clear out space in your refrigerator — the brisket needs to be brined for about five days.

  3. Make leftovers on purpose

    One of the best things about brisket? All the delicious ways to eat the leftovers! Cowboy nachos, enchiladas, Italian-beef sandwiches, chili, even brisket grilled cheese. If you’ve made a corned beef, be sure to save some for hash. A smoked brisket, sans BBQ sauce, will work in most recipes. Or simply pop the raw brisket into your slow cooker early in the morning, and come dinnertime, it will be tender and ready to shred.

Why We Love National Brisket Day

  1. Brisket is a relatively healthy cut of meat

    That is, if you choose the flat cut (rather than the point cut, which is an equally delicious but less lean portion of meat). A serving of beef brisket contains a whopping 28 grams of protein (55% of the daily recommendation for a healthy adult), is a good source of iron, zinc, and B vitamins, and falls below the FDA suggestion for fat content. So get your fork ready.

  2. Brisket is a very versatile cut

    In addition to the aforementioned applications, brisket is also perfect for the slow cooker, the oven, or the smoker. Once cooked, you can slice the meat to serve with gravy, or shred it to make excellent sandwiches, tacos or burritos. Brisket is also commonly used in the Vietnamese staple pho.

  3. It forms the basis for pastrami

    Brisket has long been associated with Jewish cuisine, particularly when prepared pot-roast style and served on holidays like Passover and Rosh Hashanah. Yet its most famous incarnation is probably the classic NY-style deli meat that tastes so damn good when slapped between rye slices and slathered with mustard.

National Brisket Day dates

Year Date Day
2027 May 28 Friday
2028 May 28 Sunday
2029 May 28 Monday
2030 May 28 Tuesday
2031 May 28 Wednesday