Brisket Tacos Recipe: 4 Ways to Make Brisket Tacos

Brisket tacos are a flavorful Tex-Mex-inspired dish that pairs tender shredded brisket meat with warm corn tortillas and traditional taco toppings. Brisket meat comes from the lower breast of the cow, typically prepared using a slow-cooking process. (Smoked brisket is a Texas barbecue staple.)

Brisket is more affordable than other cuts of beef because it’s tougher and requires more preparation time than steak or tenderloin.

You can use several slow-cooking methods to prepare brisket taco meat, which contains large amounts of connective tissue, making the meat chewier. It also has a layer of fat called the fat cap. Slow-cooking methods break down the connective tissue into tender gelatin and render the fat to infuse the meat with flavor. Popular ways to prepare brisket tacos include:

1. 1. Braised brisket: For a slightly more hands-on slow-cooking method, brown the brisket in a high-temperature oven before braising it in liquid on the stovetop for a minimum of four hours. Learn more about braising.
2. 2. Slow cooker brisket: Prepare your brisket in a slow cooker for a relatively hands-off method. Since you shred the brisket before serving, simmering the meat in a slow cooker is a great way to create moist and fork-tender meat that falls apart with little effort.
3. 3. Smoked brisket: This popular brisket cooking method, which involves simmering the meat over indirect heat in a wood pellet or electric smoker, will produce tender, smoky meat ideal for BBQ-inspired smoked brisket tacos. Learn more about trimming a brisket to prepare it for smoking with pitmaster Aaron Franklin.
4. 4. Leftover brisket: Brisket tacos are the ideal use for leftover brisket meat prepared using any method. To reheat the beef, bake the leftover meat and any reserved juices in a baking dish at 375 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through, about fifteen minutes. Serve the warm brisket immediately with tortillas and the toppings of your choice.

This Mexican-inspired dish is easy enough for any home cook to whip up. Use these tips to make the most of your shredded beef tacos:

1. 1. Keep it low and slow. Always cook brisket with a low-and-slow cooking method, like smoking or braising. The brisket’s fat will render throughout a long cook, and its connective tissue will break down, resulting in tender, flavorful meat that you can easily shred for tacos.
2. 2. Experiment with toppings. Top your brisket tacos with various sauces, herbs, and dairy products. Dress the tacos with Chef Gabriela Cámara’s fresh salsa verde cruda, or add mild heat with sautéed poblano peppers and fresh or pickled jalapeños. Top the tacos with crema, sour cream, or Greek yogurt; pile on homemade guacamole or queso; or throw together a light slaw or roasted corn salsa for a cool, zesty topping. Squeeze some fresh lime juice onto the tacos just before serving, or add pickled red onion for an acidic note.
3. 3. Store properly. To store leftover brisket, allow the meat to cool to room temperature before storing it in an airtight container for up to four days. Or, freeze the brisket by storing it in a freezer-proof bag in the freezer for up to four months. Thaw the frozen meat overnight in the refrigerator before reheating and using it for tacos, nachos, or burritos.