Have you ever looked at a pile of beef brisket and wondered how chefs slice it so thin and tender?
With the right knife, that’s exactly what you can do too!
In fact, a good brisket knife should glide through the thickest part of the brisket, producing thin and even slices of meat.
Here are some of the best options that are perfectly suited for making an excellent sliced brisket.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Victorinox Swiss Army | Best Overall |  |
| Messermeister Slicer Knife Edge Guard | Budget Pick |  |
| Cuisinart Electric Knife | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Victorinox Swiss Army
Pros:
- The Granton edge helps with reducing food sticking to the blade.
- Heavy duty grip handle
- Available in two sizes
- Changed blade
Cons:
- Extremely sharp
- Somewhat difficult to clean
- Not dishwasher safe
The VICTORINOX slicer is an all-in-one precision slicer designed for professionals and sold exclusively by the Victorinox Swiss Army company. It’s a high quality slicer that will help you cut perfect slices of meat, bread, cheese, chocolate, fruits and vegetables every single time very easily.
The slicer has a stainless steel blade. The handle is ergonomically designed to fit comfortably in your hand and features a built-in guard to protect you from the sharp blade. The blade can be easily replaced if required.
Bottom line: This is one of the best and most practical slicers you can get if you’re into cooking meat. It is designed to function perfectly using both hands and will make your kitchen life much easier when slicing various types of meat or cheese.
2. Dexter-Russell 12" Scalloped Slicer
Pros:
- Perfect size for slicing brisket
- Cleans up beautifully
- Blades are made of high quality German steel
- Cuts a variety of cooking jobs
- Stays sharp for a long time
If you're going to be doing any serious cooking, particularly for parties and large events, then a good slicing knife is an important tool. It can help you through a variety of butchering jobs, from slicing brisket to hacking up chickens to carcass from animals.
You will want a large, heavy knife, like this Dexter Russell, which has a German steel blade that's been hardened to Rockwell 58. This is a solid knife that will last for years of heavy use.
And it has become a mainstay of the barbeque and food competitions circuit. Thanks to the scalloped-edge blade, you can slide it under anything you are cutting and slice it off in one smooth stroke.
3. Mercer Culinary Millennia Granton Edge Slicer
Pros:
- Easy to hold
- Can cut through almost anything without a problem
- Perfect size
This blade is amazing for the price. It cuts through meat and anything else with ease. The blade is of an appropriate size, as it won’t be intimidating for most users. The blade's sharpness and construction make for great performance. The black coating is nice on the handles.
One of the best things about the Millennia is that it comes with a lifetime warranty. No matter how long you use it, the material won’t wear out. For this reason, this makes it great for both professionals and amateurs alike.
4. Dexter-Russell S131F-6PCP Boning Knife Sani-Safe White
Pros:
- Cruelty-free, full-tang design
- Heat-treated stainless steel
- Forschner’s trademark stamped on the blade
- Full-tang design for extra control
- Perfect for cutting meat
The Dexter Russell Boning Knife is a single piece of forged, polished stainless steel with a classic red handle. It is lightweight and comfortable to use thanks to its slim design. It will make cutting meat a breeze.
This knife is part of the Prep Knife Series from Dexter Russell which all have the same quality and reputation. You can be sure that you are getting one of the best, if not the best, knives available on the market today. The Boning knife from Dexter Russell has a six inch blade that is made from premium stainless steel.
The blade is sharpened with a compound bevel. This is an incredibly sharp design. The compound bevel allows you to slice with precision and without having to worry about it getting stuck. It will glide through your meat like butter, and you will feel as if you are an expert chef in no time at all.
5. Messermeister Slicer Knife Edge Guard
Pros:
- 12 inch overall length
- High impact plastic handle
- FP Series forged steel single stage blade
- Sharp, thin and long blade
- Rust resistant blade
The Messermeister FP 12-Inch Cook/Slicing Knife is a versatile knife that is a must-have for any professional, novice or backyard cook. Its flexibility makes it easy to power through big slabs of briskets and pork shoulders and it’s a great knife for unjointing chickens.
The steel is thin and very sharp which makes it perfect for slicing, dicing and carving. The FP series forged steel, single stage blade is rust resistant. It has a black high impact plastic handle with a stainless steel bolsters.
The Messermeister 12-Inch knife is 12 inches long overall, the blade is 6 1/2 inches long and 2 millimeters thick. The blade is long enough for fine slices and filleting, yet short enough for making even, thin cuts of meat.
6. Cuisinart Electric Knife
Pros:
- High-quality sturdy stainless steel blade
- Comfortable rubber grip
- Efficient motor with a blade that lasts a long time
The Cuisinart Electric Knife with Rotating Blade is a great kitchen tool when preparing meat. It comes with a high-quality stainless steel blade; a sturdy, high-quality material to slice through any meat without losing its cutting edge.
It also has a rubber grip to help you get a better hold, and a comfortable grip to keep your hand comfortable while slicing away. It comes with a cord storage and has a one-year limited manufacturer’s warranty.
The Cuisinart Electric Knife has a standard sized opening for easy cleaning, and the unit is dishwasher-safe (top rack). The motor is very strong and efficient, which is why the blade can stay sharp for a long time. An ideal knife for slicing brisket.
7. Presto Professional Electric Knife Sharpener
Pros:
- Affordable
- Sharpens just about anything
- Sharpens scissors, too
- Just plug it in and start sharpening away
- Makes it easy to create a beautiful edge on your blade
- Can even sharpen serrated blades
- Only takes a few minutes
Cons:
- Needs to be cleaned regularly
- Doesn’t have a super-durable body
The Presto 08810 Professional Electric Knife Sharpener is a countertop knife sharpener that is always ready to use. It offers three slots that are compatible with all standard and serrated blades. It even works with scissors. The three sharpener slots can be used for chef knives, steak knives, pocket knives, and even hunting knives.
This product is lightweight and requires no effort to operate. You can sharpen, slice, or chop with a razor-sharp blade in no time at all. The sharpener offers an economical solution to ensure your knives are always in the best condition possible. It has a compact design that can sit on your countertop without taking up too much space.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What kind of knife do you use to cut brisket?
Every professional chef has his or her own favorite knife brand, and that is the best. However, for us home cooks, we usually opt for a less expensive knife set.
When you are cutting against the grain, you want a knife that is able to stand up to some resistance. A serrated knife is your best option as it's good for slicing through tough meat. It's also very important that the knife is able to get as close to the bone as possible, which is where you feel the grain run through the meat.
What knife does Aaron Franklin use to slice brisket?
When Aaron Franklin first started selling brisket to Whole Foods stores, he used a meat cleaver. Jordan Mackay, owner of Fatted Calf Charcuterie, wrote in his book Franklin Barbecue: A Meat-Smoking Manifesto that Aaron was interested in eventually purchasing a blade from the Global company. Jordan called it the 7-inch butcher’s.
The benefit of this knife is being able to cut meat accurately in one stroke. The curve of the blade makes it easier to slice meats. It also creates a clean, smooth cut.
When should you slice a brisket?
When you cut a brisket, you separate it into two sections: a point and the flat. It’s usually best to start slicing the flat before the point. This is because the sections of the flat are more uniform and therefore easier to slice.
What is the proper way to slice a brisket?
Begin by heating up your brisket by letting it sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking. Next, rub the brisket with a generous amount of salt and some black pepper. The salt and pepper help enhance the flavor and will help create a crispy exterior.
The next two steps are crucial and vary depending on the actual type of cut. Some cuts you need to score the meat by cutting an “X” into the top. Not completely through, just the top layer of muscle, exposing the fat beneath. This opens up the meat allowing heat to penetrate into the interior, resulting in a more tender meat.
Conclusion
If you’ve never tried to slice brisket using a chef‘s knife and also an electric knife, then you’ve never sliced brisket to perfection. If you’ve been slicing brisket using a utility knife, then you definitely need to follow these tips. You must buy a carving knife for slicing brisket or any dish that has meat similar to the texture of brisket.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Victorinox Swiss Army | Best Overall | |
| Messermeister Slicer Knife Edge Guard | Budget Pick | |
| Cuisinart Electric Knife | Upgrade Pick | |