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Tender Texas Style Brisket Recipe Easy Slow Smoked to Perfection

Texas Style Brisket - featured image

This authentic Texas style brisket is slow smoked low and slow to achieve a tender, juicy texture with a flavorful bark. Simple seasoning and patient smoking make it perfect for gatherings and backyard cookouts.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 56 pounds whole packer beef brisket with fat cap trimmed to about 1/4 inch thickness
  • 2 tablespoons coarse kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons coarse black pepper, freshly cracked
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (optional)
  • Hickory or oak wood chunks or chips for smoking
  • 2 tablespoons mustard (yellow or Dijon) as a binder

Instructions

  1. Trim the brisket by removing excess silver skin and trimming the fat cap to about 1/4 inch thickness. (15 minutes)
  2. Rub the entire brisket with mustard to help the dry rub stick evenly. (5 minutes)
  3. Mix kosher salt, cracked black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika in a bowl. (2 minutes)
  4. Generously apply the dry rub all over the brisket, pressing it in gently to form the bark. (10 minutes)
  5. Preheat smoker to 225°F (107°C) and add hickory or oak wood chunks for steady smoke. (30 minutes to stabilize temperature)
  6. Place brisket fat side up on the smoker, close the lid, and smoke undisturbed for about 4 hours. (4 hours)
  7. Spritz the brisket lightly every hour with apple cider vinegar or water to keep it moist and help bark development. (1-2 minutes per spritz)
  8. At an internal temperature of around 160°F (71°C), wrap the brisket tightly in butcher paper or foil (Texas crutch). (5 minutes)
  9. Return wrapped brisket to smoker and continue smoking until internal temperature reaches 203°F (95°C). (3-5 hours)
  10. Remove brisket from smoker, keep wrapped, and let rest for 1 hour to redistribute juices. (60 minutes)
  11. Slice brisket against the grain in 1/4 inch thick slices and serve with favorite sides and sauces. (10 minutes)

Notes

Do not rush the resting phase; resting for 1 hour after smoking allows juices to redistribute for ultimate tenderness. Use a probe thermometer to monitor internal temperature without opening the smoker frequently. Trim fat cap to about 1/4 inch for optimal smoke penetration and moisture retention. Spritz lightly every hour but avoid over-moistening the bark. Wrapping at 160°F helps push through the stall and keeps meat moist. Slice against the grain in 1/4 inch thick slices for best texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: Texas brisket, smoked brisket, slow smoked brisket, Texas style brisket, BBQ brisket, smoked beef, backyard BBQ, low and slow smoking