4.6 from 138 votes
Texas Smoked Brisket
Get ready to create the most juicy, mouthwatering Texas Smoked Brisket in your own backyard using a wood or pellet smoker. These are all my best tips & tricks for making the best smoked beef brisket that is perfect for your next outdoor BBQ.
Prep Time
1 hr
Cook Time
12 hrs
Additional Time
1 hr
Total Time
14 hrs
Servings: 24 servings
Calories: 360 kcal
Course:
Dinner
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 12-14 pounds brisket, packer cut
- 1/4 cup ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup kosher salt
- 2 tablespoon granulated garlic
Instructions
- Combine the black pepper, kosher salt, and garlic powder.
- Trim the fat cap to ¼-inch to ½-inch thick, then rub the brisket all over with the spice rub. Let the brisket sit at room temperature for 1 hour.
- Start the smoker and get the temperature up to around 225 to 250°F. Fill a disposable aluminum pan with water and set it on the smoker to create humidity. You will want the water pan to be full during the smoke.
- Place the brisket on the smoker fat side up and close the lid. Leave the lid closed and smoke the brisket for at least 3 hours, then start to check it every 30 minutes or so to see that a nice dark color is developing. Spritz the surface of the brisket with water or vinegar from a spray bottle if it starts looking dry.
- When the brisket has a dark color and reaches an internal temperature of around 165°F to 170°F on an instant-read meat thermometer (around the 5 to 6 hour mark), you can wrap your brisket in unfinished butcher paper, peach paper, or foil. There's nothing scientific about this, just wrap it all up by folding the paper or foil around the meat and stick it back on the smoker.
- Continue to cook through the stall (a long period where the temperature of the brisket doesn't go up and may even decrease a bit). This can go on for hours, but don't worry, it's totally part of the process of making truly amazing smoked brisket.
- The brisket will be done when the internal temperature reads somewhere between 200°F and 210°F when measured in the middle of the flat part of the brisket (203°F seems to be the magic number). You can also tell doneness by feeling the brisket with a thin, clean towel to see if it is soft and tender.
- Remove the brisket from the smoker and let it rest for 1 to 2 hours, still wrapped, until the internal temperature drops to 140°F to 145°F, then slice against the grain and serve.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
360kcal
(18%)
Carbohydrates
2g
(1%)
Protein
47g
(94%)
Fat
17g
(26%)
Saturated Fat
6g
(30%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
8g
Cholesterol
141mg
(47%)
Sodium
1359mg
(57%)
Potassium
789mg
(23%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
13IU
(0%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
24mg
(2%)
Iron
5mg
(28%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 24servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 360
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 360kcal | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 2g | 1% |
| Protein | 47g | 94% |
| Fat | 17g | 26% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Cholesterol | 141mg | 47% |
| Sodium | 1359mg | 57% |
| Potassium | 789mg | 17% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 13IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 24mg | 2% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.