My Brisket Smells like Cheese

[dannypat21]

Bought a prime Brisket from Costco to cook on my day off. Woke up at 5 this morning, got the WSM fired up. Opened up the cryovac and noticed a strong parmesan cheese smell. Rinsed brisket, started trimming and smell would not go away. So now waiting for Costco to open up so I can get a replacement. I usually cook at 275 but with the extra late start looks like we are going very hot. We will see how it turns out!

 

[THoey1963]

Cheese that smells like cheese - Good.

Beef that smells like cheese - WTH???

 

[ncmoose]

cheese that smells like brisket I might be on board with

 

[sleebus.jones]

Aged beef will smell funky. You're likely throwing away a very good piece of meat.

 

[Wood Fire Steel]

Second what ^^ said

 

[dannypat21]

Aged beef will smell funky. You're likely throwing away a very good piece of meat.

I understand that aged beef has a funk to it, but here's how I see it. If I personally aged this meat in a controlled environment then yes, I'm down with the funk. I have cooked a pretty good amount of briskets and have never smelled a funk like this. I'm talking working all day stinky feet smell. I don't know why it smells like that, the date on the packaging was fine. This is a piece of meat I am serving to my family and friends, I would much rather be safe than sorry. I exchanged the brisket for a non funky brisket, and all my worries of having a bad piece of meat are gone. Even if that rank piece of meat was ok to eat, I would not risk it when serving to my family.

 

[aawa]

I understand that aged beef has a funk to it, but here's how I see it. If I personally aged this meat in a controlled environment then yes, I'm down with the funk. I have cooked a pretty good amount of briskets and have never smelled a funk like this. I'm talking working all day stinky feet smell. I don't know why it smells like that, the date on the packaging was fine. This is a piece of meat I am serving to my family and friends, I would much rather be safe than sorry. I exchanged the brisket for a non funky brisket, and all my worries of having a bad piece of meat are gone. Even if that rank piece of meat was ok to eat, I would not risk it when serving to my family.

You did the right thing when considering food safety. You should never risk serving anybody (not just your family) questionable food. Always better to err on the side of caution imo.

 

[4ever3]

You made the right call!

 

[KC Smoke]

I recently had a 45 day dry aged porterhouse that had a very distinct aged cheese aroma and taste. Honestly I couldn't decide if I liked it or not. I think 28 day dry aged is more my speed.

 

[daninnewjersey]

Obviously the Costco isn't too far away so it's not a big deal to get there. Given their return policies, I would have done the exact same thing. If you cooked it, imagine taking that first bite or watching your family members do the same...while you have your phone out ready to dial 911....

 

[legendaryhog]

Meat packaged in cryovac (or any tightly sealed package) will gas off (due to biological breakdown) and give a "farty" smell. If you take it out of the package and the smell doesn't go away in about 20-30 mins just sitting on the counter totally uncovered, prob don't want to cook/eat. If it does go away, normal.

I've aged briskets wet for up to 60 days in cryo that pasted this test. Trust your nose.

 

[BBQ_MAFIA]

You made the right call

 

[dannypat21]

Alright so 2 hours in now, minimal trimming due to starting so late, trying to get the WSM past 300.

 

[aawa]

Do or do not, there is no try!

p.s. looking good so far

 

[Jrogers84]

I could never assume a piece of funky smelling meat is aged rather than bad. If its not sold as aged I have no idea what happened to it before it got to me. It could of been the one piece of meat that got left out of the cooler but some guy didnt want to get fired.....not worth it....

 

[dannypat21]

6 hours in, wrapping it up and throwing in the oven.

 

[smokin'hoogie]

aaaaaahhhhh.....the moe-haa-gan-knee.....nice.

you did the right thing. I wonder if the cryo might have been compromised on that 1st brisky.

 

[BillN]

Nice save, color looked good hope all met your expectations.

 

[dannypat21]

Brisket cooked for a total of 8 hours, rested for an hour and a half. Came out really well, rubbed with salt, pepper and a dusting of SM Genies Hooch.

 

[offshore_SoLA]

I understand that aged beef has a funk to it, but here's how I see it. If I personally aged this meat in a controlled environment then yes, I'm down with the funk. I have cooked a pretty good amount of briskets and have never smelled a funk like this. I'm talking working all day stinky feet smell. I don't know why it smells like that, the date on the packaging was fine. This is a piece of meat I am serving to my family and friends, I would much rather be safe than sorry. I exchanged the brisket for a non funky brisket, and all my worries of having a bad piece of meat are gone. Even if that rank piece of meat was ok to eat, I would not risk it when serving to my family.

I take it you don't purchase aged prime beef often. The brisket costco sells is wet-aged at least 30 days and every single one I've purchased from costco has a funky scent...and thats in the hundreds. in a controlled environment (cryovac) it would be fine for 90-100 days..

should have just trimmed the normal brown **** off and called it a day.

Looks like your exchange ended up great anyway. great job!