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Home » Recipes » Beef Recipes

Easy Smoked Beef Brisket Recipe

Published: Sep 9, 2023 by Chef Ryan Littley

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My Smoked Beef Brisket Recipe will make your local pitmaster jealous! My smoked brisket yields a delicious, tender, moist beef that almost melts in your mouth. Perfectly seasoned, I promise the smoky flavor of the brisket will put a smile on your face with every bite you take!

Sliced smoked beef brisket on a white platter.
Table of Contents:
  • Audio Player
  • Ingredients for Smoked Beef Brisket Recipe
  • Can I add other seasonings to my dry rub?
  • Do I have to use a whole packer brisket?
  • How to make Smoked Beef Brisket
  • Smoked Beef Brisket Cooking Tips
  • Recipe FAQ’s
  • More Recipes You’ll Love!
  • Recipe: Easy Smoked Beef Brisket Recipe

Audio Player



 

Don’t let anyone tell you that smoking brisket at home is too difficult. Although it may be time-consuming, making perfect smoked brisket with your home smoker is really pretty easy to do.

Using my smoked brisket recipe, you can be sure that you’ll end up with a moist, flavorful brisket every time.

Smoked beef brisket sandwiches with bbq sauce and pickle chips on a white platter.

A full packer’s brisket is 15-17 pounds of beef, and the price tag can make smoking this hunk of meat a little intimidating. But my time-tested method will help you achieve perfect results every time using my simple recipe for the long smoke process.

If you love delicious barbecued smoked meat sandwiches, make sure to try my smoked pork butt recipe.

Ingredients for Smoked Beef Brisket Recipe

Ingredients to make recipe.

Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make Smoked Beef Brisket Recipe. In Chef Speak, this is called the “Mise en Place,” which translates to “Everything in its Place.”

Not only does setting up your ingredients ahead of time speed up the cooking process, it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

Made with simple ingredients

  • Beef brisket – whole packer brisket, flat cut or point cut.
  • Kosher salt – or coarse sea salt
  • Garlic powder
  • onion powder
  • Black pepper
  • Sweet paprika – or smoked paprika
  • Cumin
  • Sumac

Can I add other seasonings to my dry rub?

You certainly can. You can actually eliminate all of the seasoning except for the kosher salt and black pepper. Other seasonings you can add are chili powder and dried oregano. For a touch of heat, add cayenne pepper. Add brown sugar for a little sweetness.

Do I have to use a whole packer brisket?

No, you don’t. And basically, it comes down to what cut of beef is available at your local grocery store. Sometimes, the only option is a flat cut. You can also check the big box stores like Sam’s Club or Costco; they sometimes carry different cuts.

But if you’re feeding a crowd, packer briskets are the best choice.

How to make Smoked Beef Brisket

Collage of seasonings for recipe.
  • Add the seasonings to a small bowl.
  • Whisk to combine, then set aside until needed.

If you are smoking just the flat or just the point and not a whole packer brisket, cut the dry rub seasoning recipe in half.

gloved hand putting wood chips into the smoker.
  • When you pull the seasoned brisket out of the refrigerator to come to room temperature, preheat the smoker.
  • When the smoker has reached 225 degrees Fahrenheit, add the wood chips to the smoker tube.

I used an electric smoker to make this recipe, but you can also use a pellet grill, pellet smoker, charcoal, or propane smoker to make great brisket.

Collage showing how to make recipe.
  • Place the whole brisket on a large cutting board fat side up.
  • Use a sharp knife to trim the excess fat cap off the top of the brisket.
  • If using a full packer brisket, separate the flat from the point, slicing along the deckle, creating two different muscles.
  • Rub both pieces with olive oil, then apply a liberal coating of the dry rub to the entire brisket. After seasoning the meat, refrigerate and allow to marinate for at least 2 hours up to 12 hours. The longer you can let the dry rub soak into the brisket, the more flavor it will have.
  • Remove the brisket from the refrigerator about a half hour to an hour prior to placing it in the smoker (fatty side up), giving it time to come to room temperature. Then, place the brisket in the smoker directly on the smoker rack.
  • When the brisket reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees,remove it from the smoker and wrap it in aluminum foil or butcher paper. Place the wrapped brisket back in the smoker and continue cooking until the internal temperature of the meat has reached 195-200 degrees.

Smoked Beef Brisket Cooking Tips

*Place a meat thermometer probe in the thickest part of both the point and flat as they will more than likely finish at different times. Keep in mind we are smoking for an internal temperature of 195-200 degrees and cook time may vary.

*For the best results and great smoke flavor, continue to add wood chips to the smoke tube during the first 4-6 hours of the cooking process. This will help a good layer of bark form on the exterior of the meat. This is an important step in the slow cooking process that will help in creating great bark, adding layers of flavor to the meat.

*Use a spray bottle with apple juice to spritz the brisket during the smoking process to keep the meat moist.

*Wrapping the smoked meat is referred to as a Texas Crutch. This technique helps speed up the cooking process and minimize evaporation.

cooked flat cut brisket and point cut brisket on aluminum foil.
  • When the internal temperature of 195-200 degrees has been reached on each separate piece of the brisket, remove it from the smoker.
  • Tent the meat with foil and let the brisket rest for 30 – 90 minutes prior to slicing. This gives the juices time to redistribute through the meat.

When cooking a large piece of meat, the longer you can let it rest, the better off you will be. Just make sure not to let it go below 165 degrees before slicing.

You can see the difference between the two cuts of brisket. The leaner flat cut doesn’t have the layer of fat that the point cut does. While the flat cut is delicious and great for sandwiches with added barbecue sauce, if you’re looking moist, juicy brisket, go for the point cut.

gloved hand holding smoked beef brisket while being sliced.

When the meat has rested, slice it into pencil-width slices.

Sliced beef brisket on a white platter.

My Texas-style smoked beef brisket recipe is heaven on a plate. This delicious smoked meat makes the best barbecued beef sandwiches, tacos, and quesadillas. Of course, you can always just serve it plain with my semi homemade barbecue sauce or Alabama white sauce.

Store any leftover smoked beef brisket refrigerated in an airtight container for 4-5 days. It can also be frozen for 2-3 months.

Recipe FAQ’s

How long does it take to smoke a brisket at 225?

Allow 1.5-2 hours per pound when smoking a brisket at 225 degrees F. A 12-pound brisket would smoke for 18-24 hours, a 15-pound brisket would smoke for 22.5-30 hours, and an 18-pound brisket would smoke for 27-36 hours. It’s all about low and slow.

When should I wrap my brisket?

You’ll find that most pitmasters wrap their briskets in either aluminum foil or butcher paper at some point during the smoking process. Usually, the wrap occurs when the internal temperature of the brisket reaches 165° F. The more experienced pitmasters wrap the brisket simply based on appearance.

How do I keep the brisket moist?

The fat cap will help keep the point moist. Other methods include injecting or marinating the brisket. You can also use a water pan in the smoker, and spritzing with apple cider vinegar or apple juice and wrapping will all help retain moisture.

More Recipes You’ll Love!

  • Chopped smoked chuck roast on a white platter with tomatoes and pickles.
    Smoked Pulled Beef Chuck Roast
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    Smoked Beef Short Ribs
  • bbq smoked pulled pork butt on a white platter.
    Smoked Pork Butt
  • One whole and one sliced smoked pork loin on a white platter.
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Sliced smoked beef brisket on a white platter.

Easy Smoked Beef Brisket Recipe

Chef Ryan Littley
My Smoked Beef Brisket cooked low and slow yields a delicious, tender, moist perfectly seasoned brisket that almosts melts in your mouth
5 from 34 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Listen to the Post
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 18 hours hrs
Resting Time 1 hour hr
Total Time 19 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
Course Entree, sandwich
Cuisine American
Servings 16
Calories 564 kcal

Equipment

  • Smoker
  • wood chips
  • Wireless Meat Thermometer
  • Grilling heat proof gloves

Ingredients
  

  • 12 -14 lbs beef brisket full-packer – combined flat and point
  • 4 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoon kosher salt or coarse sea salt (do not use table salt)
  • 4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoon cumin
  • 2 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 teaspoon sumac

Instructions
 

  • Add the seasonings to a small bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside until needed.
    If you are smoking just the flat or just the point, and not a whole packer brisket, cut the dry rub seasoning recipe in half.
  • Trim the excess fat off the top of the brisket.
  • If using a full packer brisket, separate the flat from the point slicing along the deckle creating two different muscles. This will give the brisket more smoking surface as well allowing both cuts to reach the right temperature, since they will usually take a different amount of time to cook.
    After separating into the flat and the point, give a final trim if needed.
  • Rub both pieces with olive oil, then apply a liberal coating of the dry rub to the sides, top and bottom of the briskets.
  • After seasoning the meat, refrigerat and allow to marinate for at least two hours up to 12 hours. The longer you can let the dry rub soak into the brisket the more flavor it will have.
  • Remove the brisket from the refrigerator about a half hour to hour prior to placing it in the smoker, giving it time to come to room temperature.
    Placing cold meat directly in the smoker is too drastic of a temperature change and can cause the meat to become tough and chewy.
  • Preheat your smoker to 225 degrees F.
  • When your preheated smoker reaches 225 degrees add your favorite wood chips to your smoke tube.
    For this recipe I used a mixture of ⅔ hickory and ⅓ apple wood to get the rich smoky flavor of hickory with the light sweetness of apple wood. It was the perfect combination.
  • Place the brisket (fatty side up) in the smoker directly on the smoker rack. Place a thermometer probe in the thickest part of both the point and flat as they will more than likely finish at different times
    Keep in mind we are smoking for an internal temperature of 195-200 degrees and cooking times may vary.
  • Over the first 4-6 hours of the smoking process continue to add wood chips to the smoke tube every hour to help the brisket form a good bark on the exterior of the meat. This is very important part of the cooking process and will add robust layers of flavor to your brisket.
  • When the brisket reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees remove it from the smoker and wrap in aluminum foil or butcher paper. Place the wrapped meat back in the smoker and continue cooking until an internal temperature of 195-200 degrees has been reached.
  • This helps cook evenly and retain the moisture in the brisket it also helps move past the stall. The stall is when a large piece of meat reaches a certain temperature and essentially gets stuck and comes to a stand still.
    A stall happens regularly and is an expected part of the process. Trust the recipe and allow the meat to cook.
  • When the internal temperature of 195-200 degrees has been reached on each separate piece of the brisket, remove it from the smoker.
  • Tent the meat with foil and allow it to rest for 30 – 90 minutes prior to slicing. Tis gives the juices time to redistribute through the meat.
    When cooking a large piece of meat the longer you can let it rest the better off you will be. Just make sure not to let it go below 165 degrees before slicing.
  • When the meat has rested, slice it into pencil width slices and serve with your favorite bbq sauce.

Notes

*To shorten the cooking time, when the brisket reaches and internal temperature of 180 degrees you can turn your smoker up to 250 degrees this will help the brisket finish the cooking process and reach that desired internal temperature of 195-200 degrees this is an optional step if you need to shorten the time slightly.
*If the brisket gets done early don’t worry. Wrap the brisket in butcher paper or parchment paper and then wrap it inside of a towel and place it in in a cooler . This will help it stay at a good resting temperature and keep it warm for when you are ready to slice and serve.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 564kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 71gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 211mgSodium: 1142mgPotassium: 1151mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 129IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 7mg
Tried this recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askchefdennis or tag #askchefdennis!

Comments

    5 from 34 votes (33 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. THOMAS RABBE says

    June 03, 2025 at 9:51 am

    5 stars
    Great spice combo. Love it, instructions are clear simple& precise.

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      June 03, 2025 at 11:04 am

      I’m happy to hear you enjoyed the brisket and the instructions were helpful.

      Reply


My name is Chef Dennis Littley, creator and owner of Ask Chef Dennis Productions. As a classically trained chef with 40+ years of experience in the kitchen, I share my time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen.

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