How to Make the Perfect Smoked Brisket

American · Advanced · 12 hours 20 minutes min · 8 servings

A slow-cooked smoked brisket with a rich, smoky flavor and tender texture.

Why this recipe works

This Smoked Brisket recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 12 hours 20 minutes minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 350 calories with 25g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.

What you will need

This recipe uses 16 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:

5 lbs brisket
2 tbsp kosher salt
1 tbsp black pepper
1 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp cayenne pepper
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 cup beef broth
0.5 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp mustard
2 cups hickory wood chips
1 cup sliced pickles
1 cup sliced onions
1 cup bbq sauce

Step by step instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Brisket

Trim excess fat from the brisket and pat dry.

Step 2: Make the Rub

Combine salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and brown sugar in a bowl.

Step 3: Rub the Brisket

Apply the spice rub generously all over the brisket.

Step 4: Prepare Smoker

Soak wood chips in water for 30 minutes. Preheat the smoker to 225°F.

Step 5: Smoke the Brisket

Place brisket in the smoker, add wood chips, and cook for 12 hours or until it reaches 205°F.

Step 6: Rest the Brisket

Remove brisket from smoker and let it rest for at least 30 minutes before slicing.

Step 7: Serve

Slice against the grain and serve with pickles, onions, and BBQ sauce.

Easy substitutions

Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:

Beef brisket → Pork shoulder
Apple cider vinegar → Red wine vinegar
Kosher salt → Sea salt

Common mistakes to avoid

Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:

Not allowing the brisket to rest before slicing.
Using too high of a temperature during smoking.
Skipping the rub preparation.

Nutrition facts

Per serving: 350 calories, 25g protein, 0g carbs, 28g fat, 0g fiber.

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