Smoked Brisket
Smoked brisket is a tender, juicy cut of beef slow-cooked over wood chips until it’s packed with smoky flavor and covered in a delicious, crusty bark. It’s a backyard BBQ favorite that’s easier to make than you think!
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Servings: 15
Calories: 550kcal
Equipment
- Smoker or charcoal grill with a lid
- Wood chips (hickory, oak, or apple work great)
- Large bowl
- Large bowl
- Sharp carving knife
- Baking sheet or tray
- Meat thermometer (optional, but helpful)
Ingredients
- 10 pounds beef brisket or more, if you’ve got a crowd
- ¼ cup paprika
- ¼ cup white sugar
- ¼ cup ground cumin
- ¼ cup cayenne pepper
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup chili powder
- ¼ cup garlic powder
- ¼ cup onion powder
- ¼ cup kosher salt
- ¼ cup freshly cracked black pepper
- Wood chips soaked in water for 30–60 minutes
Instructions
Prep the Brisket
- Pat the brisket dry with paper towels. This helps the rub stick better.
Mix the Rub
- In a bowl, combine paprika, white sugar, cumin, cayenne, brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
Season the Brisket
- Rub the spice mix generously all over the brisket—every inch. Let it sit at room temperature for about an hour so the flavors can soak in.
Prep the Smoker
- Preheat your smoker to 225°F. Add soaked wood chips to the smoker box or directly onto the coals. Make sure the water pan is filled to keep things moist.
Smoke It Low and Slow
- Place the brisket fat-side up on the smoker grate. Close the lid and smoke for about 1 to 1.5 hours per pound. Keep the smoker between 225–250°F.
Wrap (The Texas Crutch)
- When the internal temp hits around 160°F, wrap the brisket in foil or butcher paper to power through the stall and keep it juicy.
Finish Smoking
- Continue smoking until the internal temp hits 200–205°F. You’ll know it’s done when a probe or toothpick slides in like butter.
Rest the Brisket
- Remove it from the smoker and let it rest, still wrapped, in a cooler or on a baking sheet for at least 1 hour.
Slice and Serve
- Slice against the grain with a sharp knife and get ready for flavor heaven.
Nutrition
Calories: 550kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 38g | Sodium: 700mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g