Most briskets range from 10-20 pounds. There are some 20+ pound monsters out there and some are in the 8 pound range but most fall between 10-20 pounds. After trimming and cooking you will generally lose about half of the weight of the brisket.

What is a good size brisket?

Start with a brisket in the 10- to 12-pound range, which is just the right size to fit on the grill. Trim off the excess top fat or “fat cap,” but leave a ¼”-thick layer of fat to keep the meat moist during the long cooking process.

How small do briskets come?

As we mentioned, brisket is usually cut as small as two pounds and as large as 14 pounds.