Texas Style Smoked Beef Brisket Recipe (2024)

Texas Style Smoked Beef Brisket Recipe (1)

This recipe for classic Texas style smoked brisket is both delicious and surprisingly simple to make. In this step-by-step guide, you'll learn all the tips about brisket cook time per pound, what temp to wrap brisket, the optimal temperatures for the brisket is done, and the best wood for smoking brisket.

Smoking a brisket can be intimidating at first, but we've broken down the best way to smoke brisket into simple, approachable steps to ensure success on your very first attempt.

It all starts with a simple two-ingredient rub, then it smokes low and slow for hours and hours to perfection. Not only will your guests not be able to get enough, but you will be eating like a king with all the wonderful brisket leftovers!

Learn the best way to smoke a brisket with this tried-and-true method influenced by Aaron Franklin's gold-standard techniques. Start with high-quality meat, smoke low and slow at a constant temperature, and let the brisket rest for at least an hour before slicing. Whether using a kamado grill, a Traeger pellet smoker or a box smoker, just follow these steps and your brisket is going to turn out great.

Here are some important tools & equipment that will make this whole process easier. Check out the full list of smoker accessories and tools I recommend most.

  • Smoker - A pellet smoker like a Traeger, electric smoker or a charcoal smoker will all work great. You will also need pellets or wood chunks, depending on the type of smoker you have.
  • Sharp knives - A boning knife is perfect for trimming the fat and silver skin and a slicing knife for slicing the cooked brisket for serving.
  • Two-zone remote probe thermometer to remotely monitor the temperature of your smoker along with the internal temperature of the brisket.
  • Meat thermometer - I recommend the Thermapen instant-read probe thermometer to precisely test and verify the internal temperature in different areas.
  • Butcher paper - For wrapping the brisket. I prefer the 24-inch width for easier wrapping. You can totally use aluminum foil (aka the Texas crutch) if you have that on hand.
  • Large cutting board - for both trimming and slicing the brisket.

How to Smoke a Brisket

These are basic steps to follow. Jump down to the full recipe card for all the details and learn more in the Brisket 101 Quick Guide.

Texas Style Smoked Beef Brisket Recipe (2)

Step 1: Buy Your Brisket

Choose a high-quality whole "full packer" cut that contains both the flat and the point. I recommend USDA Prime for the most tender and flavorful results.

Tip: Figure 1 pound of raw untrimmed brisket per person choosing the size of your brisket.

Learn more about where and how to buy brisket

Step 2: Trimthe Brisket

Trim off any loose pieces and shave the fat cap down to about ¼" thick with a boning knife. Remove the silver skin from the bottom and trim the edges.

The goal is to create a tidy, evenly shaped surface that is optimal for airflow over it and void of pieces that could burn. You want to leave enough fat to protect the meat, but remove anything you won't want to eat.

You can spend as little or as much time trimming as you want.

Learn How to Trim a Brisket

Texas Style Smoked Beef Brisket Recipe (3)

Step 3: Seasonthe Brisket

Season it generously on all sides with a simple 50:50 ratio of kosher salt and 16 mesh coarse ground black pepper. Feel free to add some garlic powder, smoked paprika or even a little brown sugar if you prefer.

Get the Brisket Rub Recipe with Additional Ingredient Options →

Let the brisket sit out on the counter for at least one hour after seasoning it before cooking. Place a remote probe thermometer in the thickest part of the brisket.

Texas Style Smoked Beef Brisket Recipe (4)

Step 4: Smoke the Brisket

Set up your smoker to use indirect heat cooking and bring the temperature between 225° F to 275° F with post oak or your preferred variety of wood for smoking brisket. Use a water drip pan and mount a thermometer to the grates so you know the actual temperature of the smoker.

Place the brisket in the smoker fat side down with the thicker 'point' closest to the heat source and smoke with the lid closed.

Texas Style Smoked Beef Brisket Recipe (5)

Step 5: Wrap the Brisket at 165° F

The best temp to wrap brisket is when the bark is formed and the internal temperature reaches 165° F. This will take around 4 to 6 hours+. Take the brisket out of the smokerandwrap it tightlywith butcher paper or aluminum foil and then place it back in the smoker to finish cooking.

It's finished when the Briskets Internal Temp reaches 203° F!

When the internal temperature of the flat (thinner side) reaches between 203° and 206° F, it should feel very tender and flexible to the touch. Verify with a probe thermometer, which should easily go into the meat without resistance.

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Step 6: Rest for 1 Hour +

Remove the brisket from the smoker and rest it for a minimum of 1 hour (longer is even better), leaving it wrapped so it can relax and redistribute the juices and cool slightly before slicing.

Tip: Place the wrapped brisket in a cooler lined with a towel. This will keep it nice and warm as it rests until you are ready to serve it.

Texas Style Smoked Beef Brisket Recipe (7)

Step 7: Slice

First, separate the point from the flat muscle, which is easy to do once the meat is cooked.The grain is different for each, so you'll want to slice them separately for optimal texture.

Slice against the grain using long strokes into ¼” thick slices for the most tender brisket bites. This is the perfect brisket knife.

Tip: Slice to serve. Sliced brisket will dry out fairly quickly, so slice only what you will be serving right away and slice more as needed later.

Texas Style Smoked Beef Brisket Recipe (8)

Step 8: Serve

Serve it up and enjoy your party with all the delicious side dishes for brisket.

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How Long to Smoke a Brisket?

It will take approximately 1 to 1 ½ hours per pound in a 250° F smoker to bring the internal temperature up to 203° F.

A brisket is finished cooking when the internal temperature reaches between 203° and 206° F. While the time it takes to finish cooking can vary greatly depending on a lot of variables; there shouldn’t be any guessing as to when the brisket is finished cooking since you should cook to temperature, rather than by time..

For planning purposes,the cook time for a 14-pound brisket will be around 14 to 17 ½ hours. But it's really more the thickness of the meat and the temperature of your smoker that determines how long it will take, rather than its overall weight that determines the time.

Always use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the temperature, and even better is to use a Thermoworks Smoke Alarm so you can monitor it wirelessly without having to open the smoker.

Tip: Give yourself more time than you think you will need to cook it. Smoking meat always seems to take longer than you expect, so start early (even the night before) and just let it rest in a cooler for longer if it's done early.

Brisket Cook Time Per Pound

CutWeightSmoker
Temp
Cook Time
(Approx)
Whole Packer14 to 18 lbs250° - 275° F12 to 18 hours
Flat6 to 8 lbs250° - 275° F6 to 10 hours

Key Temperatures for Smoked Brisket

Smoker Temp: 225° to 275° F. Lower is safer, higher will cook faster and develop better bark. Use temps for pellet smokers as you will get more smoke flavor.
Temp to Wrap the Brisket: 165° F.
Brisket Internal Temp When Done: 203°-206° F.
Approximate Brisket Cook Time Per Pound: 1 to 1 ½ hours per pound.
Rest: 1 to 2 hours or until the internal temp drops between 140° F and 145° F.

The Best Wood for Smoking Brisket

Wood for smoking often comes down to preference and can require experimenting to see the flavors you love best. Post Oak is traditional for Texas BBQ, but you can also add a combination including Apple Wood. Learn more about the best wood and pellets to use for smoking brisket.

Texas Style Smoked Beef Brisket Recipe (10)

Top Tips for Success

  • A Thermometer is your best friend! These are your best friends. Use a 2-channel thermometer to remotely monitor the temperature of the smoker (placed on the grates) and one in the thickest part of the brisket flat to monitor the meat's internal temp. And a third instant-read thermometer for spot-checking to verify doneness.
  • Start cooking the night before. Smoking brisket takes a long time. Starting the cook overnight is a lifesaver and gives you a nice buffer if you need to eat at a certain time
  • Use a drip pan with water - This will not only catch drippings which can cause flare-ups and make for more cleanup, but the water will keep the smoking environment more humid, which helps bark and keep the brisket juicy and more flavorful.
  • Keep that lid closed - Open the lid of your smoker as few times as possible and do it quickly when you have to. This keeps the smoke in and maintains the temperature.You shouldn't need to open it at all for the first 3 hours.
  • Be prepared for the stall - The stall is basically a time when the internal temperature of the meat stops rising when it reaches around 150° F, sometimes for a few hours. During this time, the meat is sweating off liquid, which cools it down and prevents the temperature from rising during "the stall."
    It will probably mess with you (like it does me), so just be ready for it. You just have to stand by and trust the cooking process. The temperature will start rising again. Once it does, it will climb fairly quickly.

Recipe Variations

  • Use a slather - A slather is a binder applied to the surface of the meat to help the dry rub stick. It can be as simple as water, oil, mustard, or even beef tallow. If you are having trouble getting the rub to stick, you can apply a little slather before dusting on the rub, which really won't change the flavor of the meat..
  • Spritz if you wish - If you are worried about your brisket drying out, you can spritz it every 45 mins after the first two to three hours with cider vinegar and water or apple juice. This will keep the exterior from drying out and does help attract more smoke and form better bark. *I don't personally spritz when smoking brisket as I would rather just leave the lid closed.
  • Finish the brisket in the oven - After the brisket has reached at least 165° F and has great bark, it is totally fine to wrap it and finish it in a 275° F oven until it reaches the desired temperature.
  • Sous Vide the brisket before smoking - If you are looking for an alternate cooking method, try this mostly hands-offsous vide brisket recipe which you can choose the texture.
Texas Style Smoked Beef Brisket Recipe (11)

Recipe FAQs

Do you smoke brisket fat side up or down

Generally, you want to smoke the brisket with the fat side down on the grates, closer to the heat source, helping the fat render. This is true for most pellet and charcoal smokers, but with offset smokers, you might place the fat side up as the heat comes in from the side. In my experience, either fat side up or down will work just about the same.

When to wrap the brisket?

Once the bark has been formed and the internal temperature has reached around 165° F (which will take 4 to 6 hours+), wrap the brisket with butcher paper or aluminum foil and place back in the smoker until the internal temperature reaches between 201-205° F.

How long to restbrisket?

Rest the brisket for a minimum of 1 hour, but 2 or more hours is even better. Rest it in a cooler (still wrapped in butcher paper or foil). It might be tempting to rest it for less time, but it’s totally worth waiting. This gives all of the juices time to fully redistribute and will result in juicier and more flavorful meat.

Tip: Use the faux cambro technique by pre-heating your cooler with some hot water so it stays warm for longer. You can also wrap it in a layer of towels to keep it extra insulated. As long as the brisket's temp stays above 140° F, it is safe.

How to reheat brisket while keeping it juicy?

Reheating brisket can be tricky, as it can easily dry out.
- In the Oven: Preheat the oven to 275° F (you can also use a grill or a smoker like an oven). Double wrap the brisket in foil (add in a splash of beef broth or beef tallow to make it extra juicy) and place it on a sheet pan and heat until the internal temperature reaches around 165° F, 30 to 60 minutes.

- Sous Vide: Vacuum seal the leftover brisket and place it in a 155° F water bath for 1 to 2 hours. Remove from the bag and enjoy.

- Skillet: While it's going to change the texture a of the brisket a bit, heating it in a cast iron skillet is perfect when making brisket sandwiches or brisket tacos.

What's the optimal internal temp for brisket?

A brisket is finished cooking when the internal temperature of the flat reaches between 203° and 206° F is great. When testing, the probe should easily go in without resistance. If it is still giving resistance, then let it keep cooking it for longer until it is. This will make a big difference in the tenderness.

Use a remote thermometer so you can monitor the temperature wirelessly without having to open the smoker, then use an instant-read meat probe thermometer to spot-check and verify doneness in different parts of the brisket.

How much brisket per person?

Figure 1 pound of raw untrimmed brisket per person. You will be trimming off about 20 to 40% and cooking out even more weight.

You can feed at least 15 people with a 15-pound brisket. At $3.89 per pound, that is less than $6 per person, which is some seriously great value.

What is brisket?

Brisket is a giant, extremely tough primal cut of beef. There are two briskets per cow (one from each side) and they are the pectoral muscles, which are tough because of all of the work they do.
Each brisket is comprised of two muscles, the flat and the point. Each has a unique texture and cooks differently, which adds to the challenge of the cook. The size of the cut before trimming can range from 8 to 20 pounds.
While brisket is big and tough, it packs tons of flavor and is a perfect candidate for low and slow smoking.
Learn more in the Beginners Guide to Briskett →

Texas Style Smoked Beef Brisket Recipe (12)

Brisket Sides

Serve it simply with bread & butter pickles, quick pickled onions and a few slices of white bread with a little if you wish. Bright sides will contrast with the smoky flavorful meat.

A fresh coleslaw is perfect because you can eat it on the side or put it on a brisket sandwich if you prefer. Baked beans, potato salad, and creamy macaroni salad are also great pairings. Keep the theme going by sipping a refreshing .

Check out all the best sides to serve with brisket →

What to do with Leftovers

Make brisket sandwiches and omg good brisket ragu over pasta or polenta, tacos, breakfast brisket and egg hash for breakfast, a brisket grilled cheese for lunch, add it to baked beans, make chili, add it to ramen. You can make addictingburnt ends with the leftover point end. Okay, you get the point. It is good in just about anything and you are the lucky one who gets to indulge for hopefully a few days at the least.

Check out all the leftover brisket recipe ideas →

More Smoker Recipes You'll Love

  • Smoked Pork Shoulder (Pork Butt)
  • Smoked Pork Belly
  • Simple Smoked Salmon
  • Smoked Pork Ribs

View all BBQ Smoker Recipes

Texas Style Smoked Beef Brisket Recipe (17)

Smoked Brisket Recipe

Pure and simple, melt in your mouth and packed with flavor, this smoked beef brisket is seasoned with salt and pepper, then smoked low and slow with oak.

3.40 from 5 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 14 hours hours

Resting Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 15 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 15

Calories: 582kcal

Author: Justin McChesney-Wachs

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Trim the brisket while it is very cold using a sharp knife. Trim the fat cap down to about ¼" thick and remove the silver skin from the backside.

  • Season: Combine the Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper in a small bowl or spice shaker, then evenly season the brisket on all sides. Let the brisket sit out at room temperature for 1 hour while you set up your smoker.

  • Prepare the Smoker: Set up your smoker according to the manufacturer's instructions for indirect cooking with a water-filled drip pan in place. Bring the temperature between 225° and 275° F.Add 3 to 5 fist-size oak, pecan or your favorite wood chunks for smoke (if using a charcoal smoker).

  • Smoke the Brisket: Place the brisket in the smoker fat side down with the thickest end closer to the heat. Leave the lid closed for at least 3 hours. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165° F and a dark brown bark is formed, about 6 to 8 hours.

  • Wrap the Brisket: Remove the brisket from the smoker and tightly wrap it with uncoated butcher paper (or aluminum foil). Place it back in the smoker and continue cooking until the internal temperature of the flat (thinner side) reaches between 203 and 206° F, about 6 to 8 hours more.

  • Rest: Carefully transfer the brisket (still wrapped in the butcher paper) to a large cooler or cutting board to rest for at least 1 hour and preferably 2 hours or until the internal temp drops to 140 to 145° F. You can line the cooler with a towel to further insulate the brisket to keep it warm.

  • Slice and Serve: Separate the point from the flat muscle, then slice againstthe grain (which is different for each muscle) into ¼" slices just before serving.Enjoy with your favorite sides.

Video

Notes

  • Smoker Temperature: For a pellet smoker, use a lower temperature of 225° F, and a higher temperature of 250-275° F for charcoal smokers.
  • The Best Wood for Smoking Brisket: I prefer using oak wood chunks, but you can also use mesquite, pecan or add in a combination of cherry or apple depending on your preference.
  • Thermometers are your best friend. Place a probe in the thickest part of the brisket flat, one on the smoker's grate and use a handheld meat thermometer to spot check to verify at the end of the cook.
  • Open the lid of the smoker as few times as possible during the cook.
  • The cook time will be approximately 1 to 1 ½ hours per pound at 250° F.

Nutrition

Calories: 582kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 76g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 225mg | Sodium: 4061mg | Potassium: 1303mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 43IU | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 8mg

This post was originally published on January 29, 2019 and was last updated on May 4, 2023 to include helpful updated information.

Reader Interactions

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  1. Phil says

    Great recipe. So juicy

    Reply

    • justin says

      That's awesome, Phil! Thanks for making it and letting us know how it turned out.

      Reply

  2. Candice says

    The only brisket recipe you will ever need! The great tips in this post made it come out perfectly. We served it with bread, pickled, and quick pickled onions just like you recommended. Everyone loved it. We will be making this over and over again. Thank you for the great recipe!

    Reply

    • justin says

      So great to hear, Candice! Love all the sides you made for it. 🙂

      Reply

  3. Breaux says

    This recipe is just about right. I used a dry rib rub and let it set overnight, smoked it for about 6 hours at 250-300 degrees (first time using a new smoker so I had issues balancing the temp). I highly recommend using 1-2Tbsp apple cider vinegar, adds so much flavor. Other option is to use about 1Tbsp each of cilantro, basil, and thyme with some S&P and a squeeze of lime before serving. For tacos, do the herbs and add 2Tbsp of puree chipoltle before the herbs. This is a wonderful base recipe

    Reply

  4. D. Irwin says

    I want to give this a try. I have a Blaze komodo style grill. Do you put the brisket on top and water/drip pan on lower shelf? Or do you use some type of diffuser on lower rack to make it more of a smoker (or both)? I've been experimenting with other cuts (to mixed results) and want to give the brisket a try.

    • justin says

      For a Kamodo style smoker (I use a Big Green Egg), I set it up with the Conveggtor in place as the barrier between the heat and the grill where the brisket will sit. The water/drip pan sits on top of the Conveggtor. Not sure what it would be called for the Blaze smoker, but I'm sure they should have some sort of indirect heat system. If not, then it might not be the best tool for the job, as indirect is super important.
      Also, you have to be careful to check your water bath when it's sitting on the indirect heat source as the water will be evaporating over the long cook. You don't want it to run dry.
      Let me know if you have any other questions. Happy smoking!

      Reply

      • Liza says

        Getting ready to try this. Internal temp!!? Do i want the j thermal temp 165 in the thickest part of the meat?

        Reply

        • justin says

          Hi Liza. Yep, the thickest part is where you should be measuring from. Then wrap and let it keep going until it reaches 195 to 205°F

          Reply

  5. Ellie says

    Best brisket I've had yet! Easy to follow instructions thanks.

    Reply

    • justin says

      Hi Ellie,
      So glad to hear it was the best. I totally agree. Even when I went to Texas, I thought this was better. haha
      Happy smoking!
      Justin

      Reply

  6. Nichole says

    We tried brisket for the first time Christmas Eve. Multiple things went wrong, but it still tasted amazing for the few people still around to eat it.

    We started at 3:00 am. We have a Traeger and my husband misread the dial. (We are very new). It cooked for the first 5 hours at 190. We then noticed and raised it to 250. It it hit 165 in flat one hour after that. I covered the flat and then the tip was at 165 an hour later. We wrapped it in paper and put it back on. It then cooked another 11 hours and only got up to 196. At that point the Traeger turned off and we didn't know. When we noticed the meat had gone down to 183. I made the very bad mistake of turning it up to 450 to get the temp back up. The started a fire with the drippings! Paper on brisket was only slightly burned. :0 We took the brisket out let it rest 1 hour in a cooler wrapped in foil and towels. The party was long over and we could no longer wait so we tried it. It was amazing. Our Texas family told us it was close to Rudy's.

    Now that you have the background, I have a few questions. Why do you separate the flat from the tip? The tip had a large layer of fat in it. Would that have been less if we had got up to the correct temp and waited longer to eat it?

    Thank you so much for your post! Even though we had so many problems it was the most informative and the most correct on time. It was great for these very novice smokers.

    Reply

    • Stephen Vincent says

      Used my new Traeger 885 with apple and 14 lb prime brisket. Aged in the cryovac for about three weeks, trimmed and applied a thin coat of prepared mustard then a rub of my own and put on at 250. Started at 7 am expecting a long cook. Hit 160 about noon. Wrapped foil under it until it hit 175 about an,hour later and took it off. Fully wrapped it for a rest of 1 hour plus. Cut off a couple of slices. Omg! Probably one of the best cooks ever, but never a brisket. Rich, tender and juicy. I'm hooked. No sauce.

      Reply

      • justin says

        That sounds so amazing, Stephen! Definitely no sauce needed. Just perfect.

        Reply

  7. Krissy Ellis says

    My 14.5 lb brisket got to 165 in 4 hours and 200 in 8.5 on my Traeger. I was expecting another 6 hours of cooking + 2 hrs rest before guests arrive. How long is too long to keep wrapped in a cooler? Not sure why it went so fast but I’m hoping it’s delicious anyway.

    Reply

    • justin says

      Hi Krissy,
      That is really quick! What kind of brisket was it (grade)?
      It will be fine wrapped in the cooler until your guests arrive in the evening.
      How did it turn out?
      Cheers,
      Justin

      Reply

  8. Bubba Lovett says

    I really didn’t get the cook time for the meat, what was the cook time? I’m using a smoker with chips..

    Reply

    • justin says

      Hey Bubba,
      Figure about 14 to 17 1/2 hours for a 14 pound Brisket. It could be just 5 hours for a really small point. But the smoke time is really variable based on the size and thickness of the meat, fat content, the temp the meat starts and the constant temp of the smoker. It's done based on internal temps. I hope this helps. Happy smoking! Cheers.

      Reply

  9. Robin says

    Not sure if you will see this in time, but I'm smoking a brisket for Christmas and not sure what approach I should take. I have 2 smaller pieces of grass-fed brisket that I got from Butcher box, total together is about 5 pounds...not even sure if I have the flat or the point. Should I treat the 2 smaller pieces as 1 large piece and figure it will take around 6-7 hours based on 1-1.25 hours per pound, or should I treat them as 2 small pieces and figure at about 2.5 pounds each it will only take 3-4 hours? Hopefully that makes sense!

    Reply

  10. Nuri says

    I read many articles that seemed overly complicated - but yours was written with a very gentle, easy, and reassuring tone. I haven't smoked anything before, but bought a Traeger this weekend - followed your advice, and came out with one of the better briskets I've ever eaten, even commercially. We had hoped for leftovers, but I ended up with a large pack of hungry friends - and every last bit of a 3.5kg brisket disappeared.

    Thanks for a fantastic article, and for making sure my first brisket experience was a fantastic one.

    Reply

    • justin says

      Hi Nuri,
      Thanks so much for the great feedback on the recipe. I am so so happy to hear that your smoked brisket turned out to be one of the best you have ever eaten. I feel that way every time I smoke something now. It's really not that difficult and there is so much payoff for yourself and everyone who is there. 🙂
      Come back and visit soon. Thanks again!

      Reply

  11. Farris says

    This recipe even works good with Masterbuilt electric smoker. Brisket turned out awesome, cooking time a little longer due to being electric?? but was patient through stall and turned out awesome. Having brisket tacos tonight !!!

    Reply

    • justin says

      Hi Farris,
      I'm drooling right now thinking of the Brisket Tacos you will be enjoying tonight. So glad to hear it came out awesome smoking the brisket in an electric smoker. Enjoy!

      Reply

  12. Richard C Sandoz says

    Great informative article. Thank you!

    Reply

    • Jimmy says

      Hi Justin,

      I wish I’d found your recipe before - This is really helpful and takes the fear factor way down!

      In the UK big briskets are like hens teeth and unfortunately we don’t get any where near the sizes above (at least in my experience). Ours tend to be in the 5-6lb bracket, may be a tad heavier if you’re really lucky. I tried my my first one this weekend (5lb) on a WSM and I destroyed it! It was so tough. I think I’d completely screwed up the temperature I needed. Will your recipe work for smaller cuts (i.e. 1hr to 1.15hr per pound and the same temperature profile as you set out? I’m lucky (rather than skilled) that my WSM will hold a constant temperature for a long time. Pork and even tri-tip (which I was very surprised to get hold of in the UK) always come out really well.
      Any tips for a smaller, thinner cuts would be really appreciated!

      Thanks
      Jimmy

      Reply

      • justin says

        Hey Jimmy. Thanks for stopping by. Yes, the recipe will work for smaller cuts. It's about temp and not time. If it were a 5 pounder, I probably wouldn't go above 250°F for the smoker. Wrap it at internal temp of 165° F then remove it at around 200. Let me know how it turns out. Cheers!

        Reply

  13. Scott Swenson says

    I think you have a typo in your post. You state in the "temperature" section that -
    Smoker: 145° to 160° F (maintain 150° if possible)

    I think what you meant is
    Smoker: 245° to 260° F (maintain 250° if possible)

    Is that correct?
    I am currently on hour 3 of the smoke and approaching 160 internal temperature.

    Does the "stall" always happen? I have not experienced in other smoking - yet . . . .

    Scott

    Reply

    • justin says

      Hey Scott,
      Thank you! You are right and that is fixed. Yep, the stall has always happened in my experience and from everyone else I have talked to. But let me know how yours goes.
      Cheers,
      Justin

      Reply

  14. Debbie Katz says

    Help. I've been cooking exactly How are you recommended and the internal temp went up to 165 very quickly-I'm not sure what to do I don't know how to tell when it's done I'm using an electric smoker so I think that might be the problem but my issue is I don't know how to tell when it's done

    Reply

    • justin says

      Hi Debbie,
      So sorry I couldn't get right back to you. We were camping and not near the internet, unfortunately. 165 degrees is the temperature that you want to wrap the brisket and then continue to cook it until the internal temperature climbs to 205. Hopefully you found that further down in the post and it came out great. Cheers!

      Reply

  15. Kevin says

    Great help for me to smoke a Brisket!

    Reply

    • justin says

      Awesome! I hope it came out amazing. This is one of my favorite things to smoke and it sure is a crowd pleaser!

      Reply

  16. Kevin says

    Thanks for putting together a GREAT brisket cooking "school"! I really appreciate your time and help!

    Reply

  17. Laura Mclean says

    This was mouth watering, melt in your mouth good!!! So good in fact we were dropping meat on the floor fighting over it!

    Reply

    • justin says

      SO glad you liked it. I hope you were able to break up the fight and all get along over more brisket. 😛

      Reply

  18. Nate says

    I would give this six stars if possible. I couldn't believe how flavorful this brisket was with just salt, pepper, and smoke! The point in particular comes out so soft and rich, full of melting fat and flavor. And thanks Justin for the impressively assiduous write up! Very easy to follow!

    Reply

    • justin says

      So glad you loved it. And I'll put in a request to increase the star rating system to 6. 🙂

      Reply

  19. Tim says

    I followed the recipe, some of the best brisket I have eaten. Also leftovers made killer sandwich’s and quesadillas.
    Great stuff

    Reply

    • justin says

      So glad you liked it! Totally agree that the leftovers make amazing sandwiches.

      Reply

  20. Lynn @ Oh-So Yummy says

    Good and thorough tips Justin! Hub's brisket is almost there but we think the most recent one needed more rest time. I passed this article to him in case there are any other gotchas. We have a smoked pulled pork and smoked bacon recipe on our site.

    Reply

    • justin says

      Sorry for my slow reply, Lynn! Let me know if you guys have made another Brisket. It's gotta be one of the best things ever. haha. 🙂

      Reply

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Texas Style Smoked Beef Brisket Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take to smoke a Texas style brisket? ›

Season brisket evenly with salt and pepper. Set up smoker to 225°F. (We use hickory and apple wood). Cook 6 to 8 hours to achieve 165-170°F internal temperature.

What makes Texas brisket different? ›

Here's what makes it special: Rub Simplicity: Texas brisket typically uses a simple rub, often just salt and black pepper in a 1:1 ratio. This minimalist approach allows the meat's natural flavor to shine through, with the smoke playing a pivotal role in the taste.

What is the trick to smoking a tender brisket? ›

Keep the fat side up so the juices can drip through the meat. Wrap in foil. Begin by smoking your brisket unwrapped so the fat, spices, smoke, and heat start to create the bark. For about half of the cooking time, wrap your meat in foil to preserve moisture and also steam the meat to make it even more tender.

What do you spray on brisket Texas style? ›

It is a scientific fact that wet meat takes more smoke, so mopping or spritzing with water, beef broth, or apple juice will yield better results.

How long does a 5 lb brisket take at 225? ›

A: You can usually figure about 1.5 hours per pound at 225 degrees for brisket, pork shoulder and other larger pieces of meat. Several things can affect this time such as actual meat thickness, wind, temperature and how often you open the door of the smoker.

What is the 3 2 1 method for brisket? ›

The Texas Crutch doesn't exclusively refer to brisket. You can use the technique with any meat. The popular 3-2-1 method of cooking ribs uses the Texas crutch. The numbers simply refer to 3 hours in the smoker unwrapped, then 2 hours wrapped in foil, with the final hour unwrapped at a slightly higher temperature.

Do you put brisket fat side up or down Texas? ›

The main reason to cook brisket fat side down is for delicious consistent results, especially when it comes to competition barbecue. Fat-side down encourages a more pronounced smoke ring. A smoke ring refers to the thin ribbon of pink-colored meat between the crust and the interior brown-colored meat.

What is the best wood to smoke a Texas brisket? ›

Summary. If you want to experience authentic Central Texas style brisket, it's best to use mostly aged post oak and then blend in moderate amounts of other hard woods to complement your rubs and achieve the flavor you desire. Stay away from any soft woods as they will ruin your brisket.

Do Jews eat brisket? ›

Brisket was a favorite for holiday celebrations, such as Rosh Hashanah, Passover, Hanukkah, and Shabbat. Jewish communities first began to favor this cut because it comes from the breast of the cow, located in the front, which makes it kosher.

What temperature does brisket fall apart? ›

Mind you, it is a little faster. The meat still needs a couple of hours in a higher temperature range to fully render fat and dissolve collagen. Brisket can be done in a range of 200-210°F (93-99°C), but as a general rule, it's safe to bet on 203°F (95°C). Brisket should be tender but not so tender it's falling apart.

How to make the juiciest brisket? ›

Once seared, place brisket in foil pan, fat side up, and smoke, uncovered for 2 hours. Flip brisket and smoke for 1 hour. At this point, the juices inside are under a fair amount of pressure. It is important not to pierce the meat from this point until it is done.

What do you soak a brisket in before smoking it? ›

Dissolve the salt and sugar in the boiling water. Add the ice, then let cool to room temperature. Place the brisket in the brine and cover. Transfer to the refrigerator to brine overnight.

Should you flip a brisket while smoking it? ›

Contrary to some sources, you do not need to flip your brisket at any point during cooking. Flipping can disrupt the smoking process, as you are repeatedly lowering the temperature every time you open the grill, extending your brisket cook time.

What does spraying brisket with apple cider vinegar do? ›

Spritzing meat helps prevent it from drying out, enhances the flavour profile, promotes a crispy crust outside with tender meat inside, and helps rubs absorb better. My favourite choice for spritzing meat is a mix of apple cider vinegar and water as it helps balance fatty cuts of meat, add moisture, and inject flavour.

When should I start spritzing my brisket? ›

Once 4 hours is up, you can start spritzing the exposed meat only. Since we are smoking this fat cap up, there is zero need to spritz the fat. If anything, you are only hurting yourself by creating unnecessary evaporative cooling which, will make your brisket take longer to cook.

Can you smoke a brisket in 2 hours? ›

It's not about sticking to what you have always done or even about staying with the tradition of low and slow. Do what you have to do to get the brisket into 325-350 degree heat. Within 2 hours, my 10 lb brisket was reading 195°F in the center of the flat. If your brisket is larger, it may take slightly longer.

How long to smoke a 10 lb brisket at 225? ›

A 10 pound brisket will cook for 10-12 hours at 225. A general rule of thumb is 1- 1.25 hours per pound cooking time. Your specific cook time relies on how consistently you can keep your smoker temperature at 225 degrees.

Does brisket get more tender the longer you smoke it? ›

SMOKING A 3 POUND BRISKET

A 3-pound brisket will typically require 5-6 hours of smoking at the base temperature of 250° F to reach full doneness. If you have more time, you can lower the temperature for a more tender, fall-apart texture.

What temp is Texas brisket done? ›

Brisket can be done in a range of 200-210°F (93-99°C), but as a general rule, it's safe to bet on 203°F (95°C). Brisket should be tender but not so tender it's falling apart. You should be able to slice it into pieces that can just hold together, requiring a little pull to come apart.

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