Brisket is known for being one of the toughest cuts to master in BBQ – it has durable meat fibers and connective tissue that yearns for low, slow cooking. It’s also notorious for its “stall” during the cooking process – when the internal temperature stops rising.
The first thing to do is remove the brisket from the refrigerator about an hour before smoking. This will allow it to reach room temperature and create a more even cook.
When it’s done right… this is one of the best bites of meat you will ever taste!!!
Smoking
A brisket is a large cut of meat, and cooking it properly requires time and patience. This is a tough piece of meat with a network of connective tissue that must be broken down by cooking it slowly so it becomes tender. It is also a great source of protein and fat.
The best beef brisket has a unique flavor that comes from the natural taste of beef and the smoky flavor imparted by the wood used to smoke it. Hickory and mesquite are popular choices, but other types of wood, such as apple, cherry, or pecan, can give the brisket a lighter, sweeter smoky flavor.
Smoking a brisket is a process that can take up to 12 hours. It is important to monitor the temperature and wrap it in foil or butcher paper as it cooks to avoid a condition called the “stall.” The stall happens when moisture evaporating from the surface of the brisket causes the internal temperature to drop, which can dry out the meat.
A brisket should be smoked until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Once it reaches this temperature, it is ready to be wrapped and allowed to rest for up to three hours. When it is finished resting, slice it against the grain in thin pencil slices. Pair the sliced brisket with bright sides such as bread & butter pickles and quick pickled onions. Other great options include baked beans, potato salad, and macaroni and cheese.
Preparation
A brisket is tough meat and contains lots of connective tissue. It must be low and slow, so the dense muscle breaks down intender bites. This is why smoking is such a great technique for these cuts of meat.
The first step is to trim the brisket. It might seem like a small detail, but it greatly affects how the final product looks and tastes. The trimmed brisket will be more visually appealing, and the fat layer will not be so thick, which can impact flavor.
Another important preparation step is to dry brine the brisket. This is an easy process that helps add moisture to the brisket while it smokes, which will help maintain a moist and juicy finish.
Finally, monitoring the internal temperature with a reliable meat thermometer is important. This will help ensure that the brisket is being cooked evenly, and it will avoid overcooking or undercooking. It is recommended to check the brisket’s internal temperature at least every hour during the smoking process.
Ideally, the brisket should reach an internal temperature of 195-205 degrees Fahrenheit. When the brisket passes this test, it is considered “done.” The probe should easily penetrate the brisket to the point of fat and feel firm when touched.
Cooking
Because brisket has so much fat and connective tissue, it must be cooked at low temperatures for a long time to break down the meat. The resulting meat is tender, flavorful, and has a distinctive smoky taste. Many seasoned smokers use rubs of paprika, chili powder, and cumin to add flavor.
The internal temperature of a brisket needs to be around 202 degrees F when it is done. The easiest way to check is with an instant-read probe placed in the thickest part of the flat. The probe should enter the brisket with ease and feel like room-temperature butter.
When the brisket is done, it must be wrapped in butcher paper (or foil) and put back into the smoker. Wrapping the brisket helps prevent overcooking and keeps the heat and smoke out. It is recommended to leave the brisket wrapped until the internal temperature is between 203 and 206 degrees F.
Some brisket lovers like to inject their meat with beef broth and garlic for more flavor. Another option is to marinate the brisket before cooking. After the brisket has finished cooking, it must rest for at least an hour and preferably two hours before serving. During the rest period, the meat will continue to cook and develop its famous bark, which is similar in appearance to a tree’s bark.
Finishing
If you want your brisket to be tender and flavorful, let it rest. A well-rested brisket will have a delicious smoke ring and dark bark, making it melt-in-your-mouth good.
It would help if you also sliced against the grain to shorten the muscle fibers for better texture and flavor. If you need help determining the grain, ask a meat cutter or look at the fat line (called the deckle) to see which way it runs. The point and flat muscles have different grains.
When your brisket is done, please remove it from the smoker and wrap it tightly in foil. Then put it in a cooler for two hours or more. This is one of the most important steps for a great smoked brisket.
The goal is to reach a temperature range of 205 to 210 degrees F for the flat portion of the brisket. This allows the intramuscular fat to render and dissolve, resulting in a juicy, tender meat morsel. A meat thermometer is a must to track the process. When you probe the flat portion of the brisket, it should feel like inserting the probe into room-temperature butter.
Once it’s cooled, you can enjoy your tasty smoked beef brisket with some simple sides. It is perfect with bread & butter pickles, quick pickled onions, and a fresh coleslaw or creamy macaroni salad.