Why Brisket Costs What It Costs.

There is only a limited amount of brisket on every animal.

Sliced smoked brisket with a dark bark and visible smoke ring on butcher paper

Brisket has become one of the most sought-after cuts in Texas barbecue, but there is only a limited amount on every animal.

It is also a cut that loses weight during trimming and a long cook. That means the final plate of brisket represents more than the number on the raw package.

The price is not only about popularity. It is about limited supply, demand from barbecue, and the time it takes to turn a tough cut into something tender.