Smoked brisket is the crown jewel of barbecue – a tender, juicy cut of beef that’s been slow-cooked to perfection over hardwood smoke. With its deep, smoky bark and melt-in-your-mouth texture, brisket is more than just a meal, it’s an experience. Whether served at a backyard cookout, a family gathering, or a weekend feast, smoked brisket never fails to impress.
What makes brisket so special is the transformation it undergoes during the smoking process. Starting as a tough, marbled cut from the lower chest of the cow, brisket requires low and slow cooking to break down the connective tissue. Hours of gentle heat and flavorful smoke create a finished product that’s incredibly rich, tender, and infused with bold, beefy flavor.
The seasoning is simple but essential. A classic rub of salt, pepper, and maybe a bit of garlic or paprika allows the natural flavor of the meat to shine while creating that signature dark, flavorful crust known as the bark. As it smokes, the brisket forms a pink smoke ring just beneath the surface – a hallmark of perfectly smoked meat.
Smoked brisket is incredibly versatile. It can be sliced thick or thin and served as the star of a plate with traditional sides like coleslaw, baked beans, cornbread, or mac and cheese. It also makes a killer sandwich, especially when piled high on a soft bun with pickles and a drizzle of tangy barbecue sauce. Leftovers can be chopped and used in tacos, breakfast hash, or even mixed into chili for an extra punch of flavor.
Few dishes command the respect and anticipation that smoked brisket does. It requires time, patience, and a good deal of love, but the reward is well worth it. With its smoky aroma, juicy texture, and unforgettable flavor, smoked brisket is more than a barbecue staple—it’s a true labor of love that brings people together around the table.
Ingredients
- 5 pounds beef brisket Choose a well-marbled cut
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt For seasoning
- 2 tablespoons black pepper Freshly ground
- 2 tablespoons paprika Preferably smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder For added flavor
- 1 teaspoon onion powder For added flavor
- 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper Add more if you like heat
Instructions
- Prepare your smoker and preheat it to 225°F (107°C).
- Mix salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper in a bowl to create the seasoning rub.
- Rub the spice mixture evenly over the entire surface of the brisket.
- Place the brisket on the smoker grates, fat side up.
- Smoke the brisket for about 8-10 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 195-205°F (90-96°C).
- Remove the brisket from the smoker and let it rest for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
- Slice the brisket against the grain and serve.
Nutrition
Isn’t brisket supposed to be cooked longer? 8 hours sounds short. Idk.
Little too salty for my taste. I’d cut the salt maybe?
I totally agree, I think 1 tablespoon of salt would be enough. Too much salt can ruin the flavor!
Not that great. I think the cayenne pepper was too much for me. Maybe I’ll try less next time.
I get it! Cayenne can be intense. Maybe try paprika instead for a milder kick next time?
Tried this at a party and everyone was raving about it! Thumbs up!
This recipe is amazing! The brisket came out so tender and juicy. My family loved it!
I agree! This is the best brisket recipe I’ve ever tried. The marinade really makes a difference!
Took me 12 hours to smoke mine and it didn’t turn out like that! What did I do wrong?
I had a bit of trouble keeping the smoker at 225°F. Any tips?
I found that using a water pan in the smoker helps maintain a steady temperature. Give it a try!
Good but not the best brisket recipe I’ve tried. 3/5.
So simple yet so delicious. Thanks for sharing!
I don’t know… 8-10 hours? Sounds like too much work for just some meat. Can’t you just buy it pre-smoked?
Absolutely! Love how easy it is. Can’t wait to try it myself!
This injuried my kitchen! I burned the brisket. Help!
Aw, sorry to hear that! Maybe next time try watching it a bit closer or using a meat thermometer to avoid burning.
Wow, just wow. Best BBQ I’ve ever made! Will definitely make again!
I tried this but ended up burning it. 😢 Not sure where I went wrong. Temp was too high maybe?
Meat!!! Good meat, love it!! 5!
I thought brisket was hard to make but this recipe made it easy peasy! Can’t believe I waited so long.
I felt the same way! It totally amazed me how simple it was. Just follow the steps and you’ll get that smoky flavor. I’m gonna make it for my family this weekend!
Easy peasy? You sure? I don’t know, brisket seems like it takes a lot of skill to me. How could just some seasoning and smoke make it taste good?
Too much cayenne for my taste. I like it spicy but this was overkill. Next time, less heat!
This brisket is to die for! So juicy and flavorful. Will definitely make it again!
I can’t believe how good it turned out! My family loved it, too. Gonna try to smoke it even longer next time for more flavor. 😋
This recipe is a game changer! My family couldn’t stop talking about it. So juicy and flavorful!
Absolutely! I smoked a brisket last week and it was seriously the best meal I’ve ever made. This recipe is spot on!
Perfect brisket for our BBQ night! Everyone loved it. Gonna be my go-to recipe now.
I followed the recipe but it turned out too dry. Maybe I need a better smoker? Not impressed. 2 stars.
Looks good, but can someone tell me what brisket even is? Is it from the cow or somethin?
After 10 hours, mine was perfect. I used some wood chips too! 🔥 🔥
Yum! I used a different rub but the smoking times were spot on. Delicious!
Glad to hear it worked out! What rub did you use? I’m always looking for new ideas!
I tried this recipe but mine came out a bit dry. Maybe I overcooked it? Not sure I’ll try it again.
Looks good, but isn’t 225°F too low? I thought it should be higher for brisket. 🤔
Y’all, nothing beats a good smoked brisket! Just like my granddad used to make. Highly recommend!
I totally agree! Smoked brisket is the best, just like granddad’s! I can’t wait to make this recipe.
This brisket was a hit at our family BBQ! Super tender and flavorful. Will definitely make again!
Yum! I added a bit more cayenne and it was perfect for my taste! Def gonna make this again. 4 stars!
Sounds amazing! I love spicy food too. How long did you smoke it for?
I don’t know, man. More cayenne? Isn’t it already spicy enough? I think the original is good.
Smoky heaven! My friends loved it. Gonna be the BBQ king in the neighborhood now 😎.
I thought this would be easy but it was a lot more work than I expected. Not sure it’s worth it.
Doesn’t matter how long you cook meat, it’s always tough! Not a fan.
Have you tried using a meat tenderizer or marinating it? That might help! I love brisket when it’s done right.
Cayenne pepper? Who puts that on brisket??? Just need salt and pepper, people!
Too much spice! I like a lil kick but this was overwhelming. I’ll adjust next time.
I don’t have a smoker, can I just cook this in the oven? Asking for a friend!
You can try it in the oven! Just cook it low and slow, and maybe add some liquid smoke for flavor.
Why not just use the smoker? Ovens don’t give you that smoky taste! It’s like making tea without water.
Brisket is alright but why smoke for 8-10 hours? Seems excessive. I usually just roast it. 3 stars.
This smoked brisket recipe is amazing! The flavors are spot on. It melted in my mouth! 5 stars!
So delicious! This was my first time smoking meat and it came out amazing! Thanks for the tips!
Sounds amazing! I can’t believe you did that as your first try. I’m too scared to smoke meat myself!
Smokin meat is easier than it seems! Just don’t forget the temp control, or it’ll be like chewy leather… Good job tho!
I followed the recipe exactly but it turned out dry. Maybe I left it on too long? Not sure if I’ll try again.
I’m sorry to hear that! Maybe try wrapping it in foil during the last couple of hours next time to keep in moisture?
Dry? Really? Sounds like you didn’t smoke it long enough or used too lean a cut. Brisket needs fat to stay juicy!
Smoked brisket? My dad used to make it all the time! This brought me back to my childhood. Thanks for sharing!