4.7 from 57 votes
How to Make Smoked Brisket - Brined, Dry Rubbed and Cherry Wood Smoked
How to Make Smoked Brisket! I brine, dry rub and smoke low and slow with cherry wood. The subtle flavors from the fennel, star anise and coriander make this.
Prep Time
2 d
Cook Time
7 hrs mins
Total Time
2 d 7 hrs 30 mins
Servings: 10
Calories: 592 kcal
Course:
Main Course , Lunch , Dinner
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 5 lbs beef brisket
Brine
- 8 cups hot water
- 1/2 cup salt
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 3 star anise
- 1 tsp celery seeds
- 2 tsp fennel seeds
- 8 cloves
- 5 bay leaves
- 1 tbsp mixed peppercorns
- 8 cups cold water and ice
Dry Rub:
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
- 2 tbsp salt
- 2 tbsp fennel seeds
- 2 tbsp ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp chili seasoning
- 2 tbsp coriander seed
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp celery seed
- 2 tsp nutmeg
Instructions
- Toast all seeds lightly in a sauté pan to extract essentials oils and toast slightly. Allow to cool.
- Bring water to a boil and mix all Brine ingredients in a container large enough to allow meat to be covered in brine. Make sure sugar and salt are dissolved.
- Add the ice to cool brine down and submerge the beef brisket.
- Brine for two days or more if desired in refrigerator, covered.
- Mix rub ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Rinse off brined brisket. Shake off excess water and apply dry rub. Press rub mixture on to meat, allow to rest for two hours, covered and refrigerated.
- Soak your wood chips. Bring meat to room temperature. Place dry rubbed brisket in the smoker set at 225°F for an hour and a half per pound. Add the smoke chips or pellets per smoker manufacturer instructions. (See Note 1).
- Let rest 1 hour and slice across the grain and serve!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- I recommend wrapping in foil at 145°-150°F internal temp to lock in the moisture so the rub does not pull it out. Remove at 170°F internal temp vs 180°F as recommended by Masterbuilt Smoker directions. Brisket is hard to get right and can be dry if you aren’t careful.
Nutrition Information
Calories
592kcal
(30%)
Carbohydrates
59g
(20%)
Protein
48g
(96%)
Fat
17g
(26%)
Saturated Fat
6g
(30%)
Cholesterol
140mg
(47%)
Sodium
918mg
(38%)
Potassium
947mg
(27%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
53g
(106%)
Vitamin A
490IU
(10%)
Vitamin C
0.7mg
(1%)
Calcium
114mg
(11%)
Iron
6.3mg
(35%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 10Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 592
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 592kcal | 30% |
| Carbohydrates | 59g | 20% |
| Protein | 48g | 96% |
| Fat | 17g | 26% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Cholesterol | 140mg | 47% |
| Sodium | 918mg | 38% |
| Potassium | 947mg | 20% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 53g | 106% |
| Vitamin A | 490IU | 10% |
| Vitamin C | 0.7mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 114mg | 11% |
| Iron | 6.3mg | 35% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.