When it comes to barbecue, no state does it quite like Texas. At the heart of this culinary tradition is Texas-style beef brisket: a beautifully smoked, melt-in-your-mouth cut of beef that’s as bold as the Lone Star State itself. Perfectly seasoned and slow-smoked, this brisket embodies everything Texans hold dear in barbecue—flavor, patience, and a touch of smoke.
Homemade Brisket
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 12 hours
Total Time 13 hours
Ingredients
- 1 whole beef brisket 10–15 lbs: Look for a brisket with good marbling. The fat cap is your friend.
- 1/4 cup kosher salt
- 1/4 cup freshly cracked black pepper
- Wood: Post oak is the traditional choice but hickory or mesquite can work as well.
Instructions
Preparation: Setting the Stage
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Trim the Brisket: Start by trimming excess fat. Leave about 1/4 inch of fat on the cap to help keep the meat moist during the cook. Remove any silver skin or hard chunks of fat on the underside.
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Season Generously: Combine the kosher salt and black pepper. Liberally coat the brisket on all sides. This simple seasoning blend is known as the "Texas Crutch." It's minimalist but allows the beef's natural flavors to shine.
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Prepare the Smoker: Heat your smoker to 225°F. Use post oak wood chunks or logs for an authentic flavor profile. Maintain a steady temperature throughout the cooking process—consistency is key to tender brisket.
The Smoking Process
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Placement: Place the brisket fat-side up on the smoker. This lets the rendered fat baste the meat as it cooks. Position the thicker end (the point) closer to the heat source.
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Patience is the Secret: Smoke the brisket at 225°F for 1–1.5 hours per pound. For a 12-pound brisket, this translates to 12–18 hours. Use a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature.
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The Stall: At around 150–170°F, your brisket might hit a temperature plateau, known as "the stall." To overcome this, you can wrap the brisket tightly in butcher paper. This retains moisture while allowing smoke to penetrate.
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Finish Strong: Remove the brisket from the smoker when the internal temperature reaches 200–205°F. The meat should be tender enough to jiggle when lightly shaken.
Rest and Serve
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Resting Period: Allow the brisket to rest, wrapped in butcher paper, in a cooler or insulated container for at least an hour. This lets the juices redistribute, ensuring every bite is moist and flavorful.
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Slice Against the Grain: Slice the flat (leaner end) into pencil-thick slices against the grain. For the point (fattier end), cube it for burnt ends or slice as desired.
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Serve with Pride: Serve with pickles, onions, white bread, and a side of classic BBQ sauce (optional). But remember, in Texas, the brisket is the star, and sauce is usually left off the table.
