Whole food · Beef Products
Photo: Wikipedia
This is the lean, boneless portion from the lower side of the brisket, prized for its fine grain and deep beefy flavor. When raw, it's a rich, deep red with minimal marbling, promising a tender, clean bite when cooked properly. Nutritionally, it's a powerhouse of protein with virtually no carbohydrates, making it a staple for high-protein diets.
Calorie split: 41% protein · 0% carbs · 59% fat
↓ Full nutritionPeople love its robust, pure beef flavor that serves as a perfect canvas for marinades and slow-cooking techniques. Its versatility allows it to shine in everything from delicate Asian soups to hearty Western braises, making it a cultural staple across many cuisines.
As a lean cut, it can become tough and chewy if overcooked or prepared with dry heat methods like grilling. To counteract this, it's ideal for slow, moist-heat cooking (braising, stewing) or quick, high-heat searing followed by a rest. Those monitoring sodium intake should be mindful of cured or pre-marinated versions.
The 'navel end' of the brisket gets its name because it comes from the area of the cow's belly that resembles a human navel.
| Water | 68.0 g |
| Energy | 194 kcal |
| Energy | 810 kj |
| Protein | 19.7 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 12.8 g |
| Ash | 0.84 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 0.00 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 5.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.4 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 17.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 148 mg |
| Potassium, K | 277 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 66.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 3.6 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.05 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.00 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 2.6 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.03 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.10 mg |
| Niacin | 3.6 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.33 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.24 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 2.0 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 13.0 ug |
| Retinol | 13.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 43.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.43 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 6.0 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.20 ug |
| Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) | 0.20 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 4.4 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.31 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.7 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.14 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.2 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 5.5 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.14 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.61 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.57 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 4.7 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 4.5 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.39 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.25 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 0.13 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.12 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.08 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.08 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-6 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:4 n-6 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.24 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.24 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.04 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.20 g |
| TFA 18:2 t,t | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 53.0 mg |
| Tryptophan | 0.21 g |
| Threonine | 0.71 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.82 g |
| Leucine | 1.5 g |
| Lysine | 1.6 g |
| Methionine | 0.65 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.77 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.66 g |
| Valine | 0.87 g |
| Arginine | 1.3 g |
| Histidine | 0.71 g |
| Alanine | 1.0 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.8 g |
| Glycine | 1.1 g |
| Proline | 0.63 g |
| Serine | 0.69 g |
What's the difference between brisket point and flat?
The 'flat' (or 'first cut') is the leaner, more uniform portion, while the 'point' (or 'second cut') has more fat and connective tissue, making it richer but requiring longer cooking. This 'navel end' is part of the point.
How do I prevent it from getting tough?
The key is low-and-slow moist cooking. Braise, stew, or smoke it until the internal collagen breaks down into gelatin. For quick cooking, slice it very thinly against the grain.
Is this the same as 'corned beef'?
No. 'Corned beef' is brisket that has been cured in a salt brine. This is the raw, uncured cut. You can make your own corned beef from this cut by curing it.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.24 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.