Smoked Brisket Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 whole beef brisket (10-12 pounds)
- 1/4 cup kosher salt
- 1/4 cup coarse black pepper
- 1/4 cup paprika
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons onion powder
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- 1 cup beef broth or apple juice (for spritzing)
Equipment:
- Smoker
- Wood chips (hickory, oak, or mesquite are good options)
- Meat thermometer
- Spray bottle
Instructions:
- Prepare the Brisket:
- Trim the brisket, leaving about 1/4 inch of fat on top. This helps to keep the meat moist during the long smoking process.
- Combine the kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, and cayenne pepper (if using) in a bowl.
- Rub the spice mixture evenly over the entire brisket. Make sure it’s covered thoroughly.
- Prepare the Smoker:
- Preheat your smoker to 225°F (107°C).
- Add wood chips to the smoker according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Smoke the Brisket:
- Place the brisket on the smoker with the fat side up. This allows the fat to render down into the meat.
- Close the lid and smoke for about 6 hours, maintaining a steady temperature of 225°F.
- Every hour or so, spritz the brisket with beef broth or apple juice to keep it moist.
- Wrap the Brisket:
- After about 6 hours, when the brisket reaches an internal temperature of around 160-170°F (71-77°C), wrap it tightly in butcher paper or aluminum foil. This helps to push through the “stall” phase, where the internal temperature can plateau.
- Continue smoking until the brisket reaches an internal temperature of 195-205°F (90-96°C). This can take another 4-6 hours.
- Rest the Brisket:
- Once the brisket reaches the desired temperature, remove it from the smoker and leave it wrapped.
- Let it rest in a cooler or an oven (turned off) for at least 1 hour. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
- Slice and Serve:
- Unwrap the brisket and place it on a cutting board.
- Slice against the grain into 1/4-inch thick slices.
- Serve with your favorite barbecue sauce and sides.
Enjoy your delicious, smoky, tender brisket!
