Beef Brisket

Brisket may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. When cooked slowly over low heat, brisket can be a fantastic first meat for babies as the fibers naturally fall apart. For information on different cuts and preparations of beef, check out ground beef and steak.

Brisket is a cut of beef from the front of the cow. Whole brisket contains two portions of meat separated by a layer of fat, though it is often sold in cuts: the flat cut (also called the first cut) and the point cut (or second cut). The flat cut is leaner, while the point cut is marbled with fat. Both cuts are naturally tough, and hundreds of years of culinary experimentation have resulted in a range of cooking methods to make it so tender that it falls apart. Brisket can be braised, boiled, grilled, smoked, or stewed, and it is used across cultures, including barbecue of the American South, corned beef of the United Kingdom, pot roasts of Eastern Europe, and phở of Vietnam.

Yes. Brisket is a protein-rich food that is often rich in fats and provides the building blocks needed to fuel baby’s rapid growth. It is also filled with other essential nutrients, such as iron, zinc, selenium, choline, and vitamin B6. Together, these nutrients ensure a healthy metabolism, support growth and development, build a strong immune system, and work to prevent anemia. Around 6 months of age, babies need increasing amounts of iron and brisket offers a great source of dietary iron at this stage of baby’s life.

Yes. Meat is one of the more common causes of choking, so make sure it is prepared in an age-appropriate way. To minimize the risk, shred or finely chop brisket before offering the meat to babies. Note that meat can sometimes move too slowly down the esophagus (our food pipe), which can feel scary. While uncomfortable, the individual can typically still breathe. If you think a piece of food is causing discomfort in a child’s esophagus (the child may be crying and struggling to swallow), offer a drink from a straw cup, open cup, bottle, or nursing session and if that fails to alleviate the situation, call emergency services. As always, make sure you create a safe eating environment and stay within an arm’s reach of your baby during meals. For more information on choking, visit our sections on gagging and choking and familiarize yourself with the list of common choking hazards.

No. Brisket, as a form of beef, is not a common food allergen, although allergic reactions to beef have been reported. Certain tick bites (mainly the Lone Star tick in the continental United States, but other ticks in different parts of the world), are associated with the development of an allergy to galactose-alpha-1, 3-galactose (“alpha gal”), a sugar which is present in all non-primate mammalian meat. This results in a delayed allergic reaction 3-8 hours after red meat, such as beef, is consumed. However, some individuals with alpha gal allergy also react to small amounts of the sugar present in dairy products, gelatin, or organ tissues (such as liver) from mammals. Alpha gal allergy is more prevalent in the southeastern United States, but is starting to become more common in other areas as the geographic distribution of the Lone Star tick expands. While uncommon, individuals with a dairy allergy may also have a slightly increased risk of being sensitive to beef. However, studies suggest that in individuals with confirmed allergy to beef, a large percentage are also allergic to cow’s milk.

As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity for the first few servings and watch closely as baby eats. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the serving size over time.

Not regularly, but it’s okay for baby to have a tiny taste once in a while if you want to share your meal. Smoking meats can introduce carcinogenic compounds to food. If you’d like to share brisket regularly with baby, go with a recipe that does not involve smoking the meat.

No. Beef tends to be relatively rich in fat and low in fiber, qualities that slow the processes of digestion and pooping. If baby is constipated, it’s best to offer foods rich in fiber. Remember that pooping patterns can vary significantly from baby to baby. If you have concerns about baby’s pooping and digestive function, talk to your pediatric healthcare provider.