How long will a raw brisket keep?

[silentbob]

I picked up another brisket from walmart on saturday that was sell-by dated for the 9th, I know the sell by dates are pretty cushy and had plans on smoking it yesterday but never got to. I am wondering if it will stay good until saturday morning? it is in the cryovac seal but on thursday I will take it out to put a rub on it and wrap it in tinfoil.
What do you guys think?

 

[Captain Ahab]

If you are worried, you could just freeze it and thaw it back out.

 

[deleted member]

There should be be a package date. If it's sealed, you should get by with 30 days from the package date without any issues.

 

[norm70]

you could also brine it or, cover in tender quick cure it and make corned beef

 

[Fly Carpin]

Found this article on wet-aging a brisket. Sounds like 45-60 past package date

How to Wet Age a Brisket

Wet aging beef is the process of letting meat sit in the proper environment – over a set period of time – which allows the enzymes in the meat to naturally break down the protein strands.
I don’t know the science behind all the details of WHY and HOW it works, but it just makes sense.
Basically, wet aging works to make the brisket tender – before you ever start any injecting, rubbing or cooking.
Personally I use this process for brisket. You really can’t do it with pork.

When a brisket is first packaged it’s really tough, but if you let it sit in refrigeration, it loosens up. That’s why you hear people say to look for a “brisket that bends”. More than likely a brisket that bends has been in the meat cooler for a longer period.
Now, you can’t just grab any brisket out of the meat cooler and plan on aging it because you have no idea how long it’s been packaged.
Meat is only good for so many days fresh – and then it will spoil.
The only way to know when meat was packaged is to see the actual date it was packaged. From this date you can determine your window for wet aging. The kill/package date is printed on every case… and that’s the only way to know.
So you have 2 options:

1. You can buy it by the case – which saves you a little money anyway.
2. Or if you buy them from a butcher, a good grocery store or even a Sam’s club, you can ask the butcher to let you see the case. Most of the time they have no problem showing you.

Now that you’ve got your brisket and know the exact date it was packaged on, it’s time to wet age…
How to Wet Age Brisket:
It’s really simple: mark the meat packing date on your calendar. Place the brisket in a refrigerator towards the bottom, and leave it alone.
You want to keep the brisket in its’ original cryovac package. Don’t open the packaging or poke any holes in it. You don’t want any air to get in because if air gets in – so can harmful bacteria. And then your meat will spoil or someone will get sick. If air does get in, cook it or get it to the freezer immediately.

pretty wet aged brisket already trimmed and ready for the smoker
​

Ideally, it needs to be in a fridge that isn’t opened very often. Maintaining a constant temperature of 32-34 degrees is necessary for proper food safety.
Let it sit for 30-60 days. I actually recommend letting it go 45 days. That is where I’ve found the best results.

 

[deleted member]

that's about right. our ribeye loins usually are 30+ days old before we cut them up. i think the one i cut up yesterday was packaged april 6. we've had tenderloins pushing 60 days before. frankly, i think that's a bit much and probably overkill. but, i wouldn't hesitate to do 30-45 days from the package date as long as it has been in the cryovac bag the entire time.