Serve this for the holidays, summer barbecue, or smoke a brisket and serve it for your family for dinner and then enjoy the leftovers for a few more days!
What Cut of Meat is Brisket
Brisket is the cut of meat from the breast or lower chest of the beef. It’s a primal cut and sometimes referred to as a “flat”. A cheaper alternative to brisket is the chuck, I even have a smoked chuck roast recipe for you!
Brisket Flat Vs Point
The brisket is made from two different muscles, a flat and a point. The point is smaller than the flat, it’s the fatty part of the muscle and the flat is the leaner one. The point is more marbled than the flat and contains more connective tissue. If you’re smoking a brisket for the first time I recommend that you start with just the flat, as it’s easier.
Best Brisket Dry Rub
My favorite and probably the best rub that you can use is equal parts of kosher salt, and ground black pepper. It’s the simplest rub and highlights the flavor of the smoked brisket. The key here is to liberally season the brisket which will help the perfect bark develop. If you’re looking for something that’s more fun, you can add spices such as paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and of course, salt and pepper. Adding brown sugar to form the crust is also a popular option. And this is exactly what I’m showing you in this recipe here.
Best Wood for Smoking Brisket
Always start with hardwood and never with softwood. If you’re just starting out, then I recommend going for pure hardwoods and then exploring all the flavor options. We typically use either oak or hickory, but pecan and maple are also great options!
Ingredients Needed to Smoke a Brisket
Brisket: Either a full brisket with a flat and a point muscles, or just a flat (as shown in the image below). Trim off any excess fat, but not all of it. Dry rub: What flavors you want to use is totally up to you, you can either do a simple rub with salt and black pepper, or add more flavor with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin, cayenne, etc.
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Supplies Needed for Making Smoked Brisket
In addition to needing the right ingredients, you will also need a few supplies before beginning this recipe. Here’s what you need:
Carving knife. This is the set that I have! Smoker, you don’t need a roasting pan. Large cutting board, I use it to prep the brisket (trim and season), then I wash it and carve the brisket on it as well. Butcher paper, to wrap the brisket. Wood Chips
How to Smoke a Brisket
How Long To Smoke a Brisket
The general rule of thumb is 30-45 minutes per pound, so for a 16-pound brisket, it will take you around 10-12 hours in total. But for a 6-pound brisket, it should take you around 3-4.5 hours.
How to Store Smoked Brisket
This brisket is so moist and delicious that you may not even have any leftovers. But, if you do, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Other Smoked Recipes to Try
If you loved this smoked brisket recipe as much as I do, check out some of my other favorite smoked recipes, below:
Smoked Whole Chicken Texas Style Smoked Beef Chuck Roast Smoked Turkey Smoked Meatloaf Smoked Bologna
You will love how moist and tender the meat will turn out. It’s an easy recipe that just requires a bit of time, but it’s totally worth it! If you try it, please share your experience with me, and don’t forget to pin this recipe to Pinterest for others to enjoy! © Little Sunny Kitchen
