Best 18 Texas Style Brisket Recipes

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When it comes to slow cooked beef brisket, Texas-style recipes reign supreme. Hailing from the heart of barbecue country, Texas-style brisket is renowned for its rich flavor, succulent texture, and a remarkable smoky aroma that lingers in the air. This mouthwatering dish has captivated the taste buds of barbecue enthusiasts around the world, making it a staple at cookouts, gatherings, and special occasions. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of crafting the perfect Texas-style brisket, providing you with a culinary roadmap to achieve smoky, tender, and utterly delicious results.

Here are our top 18 tried and tested recipes!

TEXAS-STYLE BARBECUED BRISKET



Texas-Style Barbecued Brisket image

Editor's note: The recipe and introductory text below are from The Barbecue! Bible 10th Anniversary Edition, by Steven Raichlen. To read more about Raichlen and BBQ, go to our feature The Best Barbecue in the U.S.A.

Provided by Steven Raichlen

Categories     Graduation     Backyard BBQ     Kwanzaa     Dinner     Brisket     Spring     Summer     Tailgating     Grill     Grill/Barbecue

Yield Makes 10 to 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Grilling Method
Indirect grilling
Advance preparation
4 to 8 hours for curing the meat (optional); also, allow yourself about 6 hours cooking time
Special equipment
6 cups hickory or mesquite chips or chunks, soaked for 1 hour in cold water to cover and drained
Ingredients
1 beef brisket (5 to 6 pounds), with a layer of fat at least 1/4 inch thick, preferably 1/2 inch thick
1 tablespoon coarse salt (kosher or sea)
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin

Steps:

  • 1. Rinse the brisket under cold running water and blot it dry with paper towels.
  • 2. Combine the salt, chili powder, sugar, pepper, and cumin in a bowl and toss with your fingers to mix. Rub the spice mixture on the brisket on all sides. If you have time, wrap the brisket in plastic and let it cure, in the refrigerator, for 4 to 8 hours (or even overnight), but don't worry if you don't have time for this-it will be plenty flavorful, even if you cook it right away.
  • 3. Set up a charcoal grill for indirect grilling and preheat it to low. No drip pan is necessary for this recipe.
  • 4. When ready to cook, toss 1 1/2 cups of the wood chips on the coals (3/4 cup per side). Place the brisket, fat side up, in an aluminum foil pan (or make a pan with a double sheet of heavy duty aluminum foil). Place the pan in the center of the hot grate, away from the heat. Cover the grill.
  • 5. Smoke cook the brisket until tender enough to shred with your fingers; 6 hours will likely do it, but it may take as long as 8 (the cooking time will depend on the size of the brisket and heat of the grill). Baste the brisket from time to time with the fat and juices that accumulate in the pan. You'll need to add 10 to 12 fresh coals to each side every hour and toss more wood chips on the fresh coals; add about 3/4 cup chips per side every time you replenish the coals during the first 3 hours.
  • 6. Remove the brisket pan from the grill and let rest for 15 minutes. Transfer the brisket to a cutting board and thinly slice it across the grain, using a sharp knife, electric knife, or cleaver. Transfer the sliced meat to a platter, pour the pan juices on top, and serve at once.
  • Barbecue Sauce, the Texas Way
  • The best Texas-style barbecue sauce combines the sweetness of Kansas City-style tomato sauces with the mouth-puckering tartness of a North Carolina vinegar sauce. I've come up with my own version-mix together equal parts of the Basic Barbecue Sauce and the North Carolina Vinegar Sauce . Serve this with barbecued brisket. For a really good sauce, add some meat drippings or a little chopped brisket.

TEXAS-STYLE BRISKET



Texas-Style Brisket image

This is the quintessential Texas-style brisket. Even my husband's six-generation Texas family is impressed by it! Grilling with wood chips takes a little extra effort, but I promise you'll be glad you did. Each bite tastes like heaven on a plate. -Renee Morgan, Taylor, Texas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 6h35m

Yield 20 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 whole fresh beef brisket (12 to 14 pounds)
1/2 cup pepper
1/4 cup kosher salt
Large disposable foil pan
About 6 cups wood chips, preferably oak

Steps:

  • Trim fat on brisket to 1/2-inch thickness. Rub brisket with pepper and salt; place in a large disposable foil pan, fat side up. Refrigerate, covered, several hours or overnight. Meanwhile, soak wood chips in water., To prepare grill for slow indirect cooking, adjust grill vents so top vent is half open and bottom vent is open only a quarter of the way. Make 2 arrangements of 45 unlit coals on opposite sides of the grill, leaving the center of the grill open. Light 20 additional coals until ash-covered; distribute over unlit coals. Sprinkle 2 cups soaked wood chips over lit coals., Replace grill rack. Close grill and allow temperature in grill to reach 275°, about 15 minutes., Place foil pan with brisket in center of grill rack; cover grill and cook 3 hours (do not open grill). Check temperature of grill periodically to maintain a temperature of 275° throughout cooking. Heat level may be adjusted by opening vents to raise temperature and closing vents partway to decrease temperature., Add another 10 unlit coals and 1 cup wood chips to each side of the grill. Cook brisket, covered, 3-4 hours longer or until fork-tender (a thermometer inserted in brisket should read about 190°); add coals and wood chips as needed to maintain a grill temperature of 275°., Remove brisket from grill. Cover tightly with foil; let stand 30-60 minutes. Cut brisket across the grain into slices.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 351 calories, Fat 12g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 116mg cholesterol, Sodium 1243mg sodium, Carbohydrate 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 56g protein.

TEXAS-STYLE BEEF BRISKET



Texas-Style Beef Brisket image

A friend had success with this recipe, so I tried it. When my husband told me how much he loved it, I knew I'd be making it often.—Vivian Warner, Elkhart, Kansas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 6h55m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 18

3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon celery salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon liquid smoke, optional
1 fresh beef brisket (6 pounds)
1/2 cup beef broth
2 bay leaves
BARBECUE SAUCE:
1 medium onion, chopped
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup ketchup
1/2 cup molasses
1/4 cup cider vinegar
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard

Steps:

  • In a large bowl or shallow dish, combine the Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, bay leaves, garlic, celery salt, pepper and, if desired, liquid smoke. Cut brisket in half; add to bowl and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate overnight., Transfer beef to a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker; add broth and bay leaves. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until tender., For sauce, in a small saucepan, saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the remaining ingredients; heat through., Remove brisket from the slow cooker; discard bay leaves. Place 1 cup cooking juices in a measuring cup; skim fat. Add to the barbecue sauce. Discard remaining juices., Return brisket to the slow cooker; top with sauce mixture. Cover and cook on high for 30 minutes to allow flavors to blend. Thinly slice beef across the grain; serve with sauce. Freeze option: Place individual portions of sliced brisket in freezer containers; top with barbecue sauce. Cool and freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a covered saucepan, gently stirring and adding a little water if necessary.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 381 calories, Fat 12g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 96mg cholesterol, Sodium 548mg sodium, Carbohydrate 18g carbohydrate (14g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 47g protein.

TEXAS-STYLE BARBECUED BEEF BRISKET



Texas-Style Barbecued Beef Brisket image

From Southern Living January 2012. As a note, I am not a fan of cumin so I would reduce it to 1/2 tsp and/or omit it altogether!

Provided by Papa D 1946-2012

Categories     Meat

Time 8h20m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 large sweet onion, sliced
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon jarred beef base
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons hickory liquid smoke
1 (2 -3 lb) beef brisket, flat trimmed
1/4 cup beer
3 tablespoons bottled chili sauce

Steps:

  • Lightly grease a 6 quart slow cooker, add onion and garlic. Stir together chili powder and next 5 ingredients. Rub over brisket and place brisket over onion mixture in slow cooker.
  • Whisk together beer and chili sauce. Slowly pour mixture around brisket, avoid removing spices from brisket.
  • Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or high 4 to 5 hours. When done uncover and let sit in cooker 20 minutes.
  • Remove brisket from slow cooker; cut brisket across the grain into thin slices put on serving plate and spoon pan juices over meat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 388.9, Fat 17.2, SaturatedFat 6, Cholesterol 140.6, Sodium 556.3, Carbohydrate 7, Fiber 1.5, Sugar 2.3, Protein 48.1

TEXAS-STYLE CROCK POT BRISKET AND BEANS



Texas-Style Crock Pot Brisket and Beans image

An easy way to make a nice brisket. The beans in this recipe are wonderful - sometimes I just make a big pot of the beans alone. Even though I love the convenience of my crock pot, I feel that cooking in the crock pot generally overcooks any meat. However, in this case, with brisket, it is pretty darn good, especially with the delicious beans on the side! I sometimes find that the liquid gets a little low, when it is cooking. If this occurs, you can do any of the following, as needed: double the sauce recipe to add later, add some bottled barbecue sauce, or add a can of beer. Enjoy!

Provided by Helping Hands

Categories     Meat

Time 8h15m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

16 ounces dried pinto beans, rinsed, drained, and picked through
3 lbs boneless beef brisket
1 large onion, chopped finely
1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt
1 teaspoon hickory-flavored liquid smoke
1 1/2 cups ketchup
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 cups hot water

Steps:

  • Combine water, onion, and pinto beans in crock pot.
  • Mix together ketchup, Worcestershire Sauce, vinegar, mustard, seasoned salt, Liquid Smoke, and brown sugar in separate bowl.
  • Stir half of this mixture into beans in crock pot.
  • Place brisket on top of beans (cut into two pieces, if needed).
  • Spread the remaining mixture over brisket.
  • Cook on low for 8-10 hours, stirring twice, if possible.
  • Slice meat across the grain and serve with sauce and with beans on the side.

TEXAS-STYLE SMOKED BRISKET



Texas-Style Smoked Brisket image

This take a little extra time but well worth it. Got this recipe off Emeril Salutes Houston, TX episode.

Provided by Kaccy G.

Categories     Meat

Time 6h

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 31

4 lbs beef brisket, trimmed
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon cayenne
2 teaspoons dry mustard
2 teaspoons ground cumin
mesquite wood chips
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3/4 cup chopped yellow onion
2 tablespoons chopped garlic
4 cups ketchup
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons cane syrup
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup yellow mustard
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
3 tablespoons hot red pepper sauce
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, more to taste
2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried oregano leaves
1 tablespoon dried thyme

Steps:

  • Set the brisket on a large sheet of plastic wrap.
  • In a medium bowl combine the dark brown sugar, chili power, paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne, dry mustard, and cumin thoroughly.
  • Rub the mixture onto the brisket and wrap tightly in the plastic wrap.
  • Place on a baking sheet and let marinate refrigerated at least 6 hours or overnight.
  • Remove the meat from the refrigerator and let come to room temperature.
  • Soak mesquite wood chips in a large bowl of water for 1 to 2 hours.
  • Remove, drain and set aside.
  • Prepare a smoker with charcoal and the wood chips according to the manufacturer's instructions to 180 to 200 degrees F.
  • Place the water pan in the smoker and add water to the fill line, about 2/3 full.
  • Place the unwrapped brisket on the lower rack off the direct heat, close the lid, and cook, regularly stoking the fire and adding additional chips, until an instant-read thermometer registers an internal temperature of 140 to 145 degrees F, about 4 to 5 hours.
  • Remove the meat from the grill and let rest for 20 minutes before carving the meat against the grain.
  • (Alternately, prepare a stove-top smoker according to the manufacturer's instructions. Place the unwrapped brisket on the rack over low heat. Close the lid and smoke for 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F. Remove the meat from the smoker and wrap in) BBQ Sauce: In a large pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat.
  • Add the onions and cook, stirring, for 4 minutes.
  • Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
  • Add the ketchup, brown sugar, cane syrup, vinegar, mustard, Worcestershire, hot sauce, Essence, and red pepper flakes and bring to a boil.
  • Lower the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened and the flavors marry, 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Remove from the heat and let cool slightly before serving.
  • Essence: Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.

TEXAS STYLE SMOKED BRISKET WITH MOPPIN' SAUCE



Texas Style Smoked Brisket with moppin' sauce image

This is the first recipe I ever made with my smoker and everyone loved it including my kids!

Provided by Beth Streeter

Categories     Beef

Time 6h15m

Number Of Ingredients 20

1 6 to 7 pound brisket
RUB INGREDIENTS
1/4 c paprika
2 Tbsp chili powder
2 Tbsp kosher salt
3 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp cumin
1 Tbsp black pepper
2 tsp ground coriander
2 tsp oregano, dried
MOPPIN' SAUCE
12 oz of your favorite beer
12 oz water
1 Tbsp paprika
2 Tbsp cider vinegar
1 tsp hot sauce
1 tsp losher salt
2 clove garlic, crushed
1 medium onion chopped fine
1/4 c light vegetable oil

Steps:

  • 1. Combine all ingredients for the rub and rub all over your brisket wrap in foil and let sit overnight.
  • 2. Combine all ingredients of the moppin sauce together and mix well.
  • 3. Bring your smoker up to 220. I used hickory chips, but you can use mesquite, white birch, or apple wood.
  • 4. Place brisket in smoker fat side up. Smoke 1 hour per pound using the moppin' sauce every half hour. Or until internal temperature reads 190 to 200 degrees.
  • 5. I used a vertical water smoker if you don't use one with water wrap it in foil after 4 or 5 hours so that it stays moist.
  • 6. Serve with baked potato and veggies and enjoy!

OLD STYLE TEXAS BOILED BRISKET



Old Style Texas Boiled Brisket image

This makes a very tender brisket for sandwiches. In the real olden days this is how brisket was made in Texas

Provided by lanechaffin

Categories     Meat

Time 5h2m

Yield 16 sandwiches, 16 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 (5 -6 lb) beef brisket, flat
1 dash salt
1 dash black pepper
1 dash lemon juice
1 dash Worcestershire sauce
3 garlic cloves
1 dash thyme
1 dash crushed red pepper flakes
16 buns
16 ounces mayonnaise
16 ounces dill pickles
2 onions, sliced

Steps:

  • Cover one brisket flat with water to in large pot and cook on stovetop. Add a little salt and black pepper, a drop or two of worceshire, a little splash of lemon juice, crush 3 or 4 cloves of garlic and add to pot. a small sprinkling of thyme. when brisket begins to pull apart with two forks you may want to add a little crushed red pepper.
  • The key here is not to over-do the spices, it should still taste like beef and not chili or spicy bbq. You could basically just boil the meat until tender and add salt and pepper after its done. Serve on plain warmed buns slathered with mayonnaise with dill pickles and onion slices.
  • As the brisket cooks the water will go away. You may need to add a little water during the cooking process, but near the end when the meat muscle fibers begin to break down the water will just sort of dissolve and the meat will be very tender. Cooking time is determined by size of meat and heat. You could speed it up some with a higher setting, but I cook on big burner on a setting of about 3-4 (out of 10max) after bringing it to a boil. A typical trimmed brisket flat works great for this because it fits in a stovetop pot, and doesn't take too long- should be ready in 4-5 hours cooked slowly until the meat is easily pulled apart with two forks.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 349.9, Fat 12.4, SaturatedFat 4.2, Cholesterol 87.9, Sodium 578.5, Carbohydrate 23.6, Fiber 1.5, Sugar 3.6, Protein 33.8

TEXAS-STYLE SMOKED BRISKET



Texas-Style Smoked Brisket image

Provided by Paula Disbrowe

Categories     Beef     Backyard BBQ     Dinner     Meat     Brisket     Summer     Grill     Smoker     Bon Appétit

Yield Makes 12 to 16 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 10-12-pound whole beef brisket, fat trimmed to 1/4" thickness
1/3 cup kosher salt
1/3 cup freshly ground black pepper)
Special equipment:
A gas grill with a full tank of propane and a drip tray
8 cups all-natural hardwood chips, preferably hickory, for smoking
A smoker box
A grill or analog thermometer (we recommend it even if your grill has one)

Steps:

  • 1 Order the brisket You'll have to special-order your brisket ahead of time (the brisket already sold at the meat counter is typically not whole). You should be able to do this at almost any butcher shop or at a grocery store meat counter. Ask for a brisket that is as evenly thick as possible, with the surrounding fat trimmed to 1/4" thick (this protects the meat from drying out while cooking).
  • 2 Season the meat An hour before preparing the grill, place brisket on a rimmed baking sheet. Mix salt and pepper in a small bowl and season the meat all over (it should look like sand stuck to wet skin but without being cakey). Let meat sit at room temperature for 1 hour.
  • 3 Prepare your grill Meanwhile, soak 6 cups wood chips in a bowl of water for at least 30 minutes or overnight. Leave in water throughout the cooking process. Keep remaining 2 cups chips dry. Light only 1 grill burner to medium (if using a 3-burner grill, light burner on either end). Make sure drip tray is empty, as a lot of fat will render. Place smoker box over the lit burner, add 1/2 cup soaked wood chips to box, and close grill. Adjust heat as needed to keep temperature at 225-250°F. We recommend using a stand-alone thermometer, even if your grill has one, to ensure an accurate reading. Stick it through the gap between the lid and base of the grill (or set it on the grill's upper shelf, though this is not ideal, as it requires opening the lid more frequently). The wood chips should begin to smolder and release a steady stream of smoke. How long this takes depends on how wet your chips are and the heat of your grill. To get more smoke without increasing grill heat, add a few dry chips to the soaked ones.
  • 4 Maintain the heat Place brisket, fatty side up, on grill grate as far away from lit burner as possible. Cover grill and smoke meat, resisting the urge to open grill often, as this will cause the temperature to fluctuate. Adjust heat as needed to keep temperature steady at 225-250°F. Check wood chips every 45 minutes or so, and add soaked chips by 1/2-cupfuls as needed to keep smoke level constant.
  • 5 Know when it's done Keep smoking the brisket, rotating every 3 hours and flipping as needed if top or bottom is coloring faster than the other, until meat is very tender but not falling apart and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of meat registers 195-205°F, 10-12 hours total.*
  • *Need a cheat? If you just don't want to spend your whole day at the grill, here's a fail-safe, Aaron Franklin- endorsed alternate method that will deliver similarly glorious results: Smoke brisket on grill until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of meat registers 150-170°F, 5-6 hours. Wrap brisket in foil, place on a baking sheet, and cook in a 250°F oven until meat reaches the same 195-205°F internal temperature, 4-6 hours longer. What's important is getting that smoky flavor into the meat, and 5-6 hours on the grill should do it. After that point, you're simply getting the meat cooked through.
  • DO AHEAD: Brisket is best shortly off the grill, but you can still get good results smoking it up to 3 days ahead. Let cool for an hour before wrapping in foil and chilling. To serve, reheat meat, still wrapped, in a 325°F oven until warmed through.
  • 6 Dig in Transfer brisket to a carving board and let rest at least 30 minutes. Slice brisket against the grain 1/4" thick.
  • Serve it with: Coleslaw, potato salad, and pinto beans.

TEXAS-STYLE BRISKET



Texas-Style Brisket image

Provided by Steven Raichlen

Categories     dinner, project, roasts, main course

Time 6h

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 3

1 5- to 6-pound piece beef brisket, with thick layer of fat
1/4 cup basic rub (see recipe)
5 cups hickory or oak chips, soaked in cold water for 1 hour, and then drained

Steps:

  • Preheat grill to 325 degrees, building fire on opposite sides of grill if using charcoal, or on one side or opposite sides if using gas. Season brisket with rub.
  • If using charcoal, every hour for first 5 hours add fresh coals and toss 1/2 cup wood chips on each mound of coals. If using gas, place wood chips in smoker box, and preheat until you see smoke (depending on model of gas grill, use all 5 cups at once or 1 cup every hour for first 5 hours).
  • Place brisket, fat side up, in foil roasting pan just large enough to hold it. Place pan in center of grill, away from heat.
  • Barbecue brisket until nicely browned, cooked through and very tender, for 5 to 7 hours. If brisket starts to brown too much, tent it loosely with foil.
  • Transfer cooked brisket to cutting board, cover with foil, and let rest for 10 minutes, reserving pan juices. With sharp knife, trim and discard any large lumps of fat. Slice brisket thinly across grain. Serve with slices of white bread, spooning pan juices over top.

BRISKET, EAST TEXAS STYLE



Brisket, East Texas Style image

Provided by Food Network

Time 5h50m

Yield 14 to 16 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 1/2 gallons good beef stock
1 bottle dry red wine
4 bay leaves
2 tablespoons whole black peppercorns
5 cloves garlic
1/2 cup kosher salt
One 8- to 10-pound brisket, fat cap on
2 1/2 cups of your favorite BBQ sauce

Steps:

  • In a large cooking pot combine beef stock, wine, bay leaves, peppercorns, garlic and salt; over medium heat, bring to a low boil. Place brisket in boiling mixture, fat side up, and cook at a low simmer for 4 1/2 hours, or until tender.
  • Remove brisket from pan and place on the top rack of a grill or smoker and cook for 1 hour. Baste with BBQ sauce. Remove from grill or smoker and let cool for 15 minutes. Slice thinly and serve.

TEXAS HILL COUNTRY-STYLE SMOKED BRISKET



Texas Hill Country-Style Smoked Brisket image

The packer brisket, so called because that's how it's labeled by the packing house, is the Mount Everest of barbecue: magnificent, imposing and intimidating. It's challenging on account of its size (12 to 14 pounds) and its anatomy: two distinct muscles (one lean, one fat), both loaded with collagen, a tough connective tissue. To do it justice, season the meat assertively. You'll smoke it low and slow for a period that can last up to 12 hours, then let it rest in an insulated cooler for 1 to 2 hours to allow the meat to relax and the juices to redistribute. Get all the details right and you'll be rewarded with the ultimate brisket: spicy bark (the crusty exterior); moist, luscious, tender meat; and a smoke flavor that seems to go on forever.

Provided by Steven Raichlen

Categories     barbecues, meat, project, main course

Time 12h

Yield 12 to 14 servings

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 full packer brisket (12 to 14 pounds)
Coarse sea salt
Cracked or freshly ground pepper
Red-pepper flakes (optional)
Sliced factory-style white bread and barbecue sauce, for serving (optional)

Steps:

  • Using a sharp knife, trim the brisket: Set the brisket flat side down, so the leaner side is underneath and the rounded, fatty point side is on top. Wherever you find a thick sheath of fat on the top surface, trim it to within 1/4 inch of the meat. Now look at the side of the brisket: There's a large pocket of fat between the point and the flat. Using the point of the knife, cut some of it out, but avoid cutting directly into the meat. Turn the brisket so the flat faces up. There's a lump of fat on one side: Again, trim it to within 1/4 inch of the meat. Be careful not to overtrim. It's better to err on the side of too much fat than too little. While you're at it, trim off any thin, sharp corners of the flat part of the meat, so the brisket is slightly rounded.
  • Season the brisket: Place the brisket on a rimmed sheet pan and generously season the top, bottom and sides with salt, pepper and, if you like your brisket spicy, red-pepper flakes.
  • Create a platform for cooking the brisket by cutting a flat piece of cardboard the size and shape of the brisket. (There's no need to make it any larger; the brisket will shrink considerably during cooking.) Wrap the cardboard template in 2 layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Using an ice pick, a metal skewer or other sharp implement, poke holes in the foil-covered cardboard at 1-inch intervals. The idea is to create a perforated platform for the brisket. Set the brisket flat on the foil-covered cardboard, lean side down. (This prevents the lean bottom of the brisket flat from drying out and burning, while the holes still let in the smoke.)
  • Light your grill, smoker or cooker (such as a Big Green Egg) and heat it to 250 degrees. If using a kettle grill, start with less charcoal than you would for grilling a steak: A third to a half chimney starter will do it. If using a smoker, place a large heat-proof bowl of water in the smoke chamber. (This is optional, but it creates a humid environment that will keep your brisket moist and help the smoke adhere to the meat.) Add wood as specified by the manufacturer to generate smoke. If using a kamado-style cooker, set up a top-down burn: Load the fire box with lump charcoal, interspersing it with wood chunks or chips. Light 3 or 4 coals on top in the center; gradually, they'll burn down, igniting the coals and wood beneath them.)
  • Transfer the brisket on the foil-lined cardboard to the smoker. If using an offset smoker, position the thicker end toward the firebox. Cook the brisket until the outside is dark and the internal temperature registers about 165 degrees on an instant-read thermometer. This normally takes 6 to 8 hours. Refuel your cooker as needed, adding wood to obtain a steady stream of smoke. If the outside of the brisket darkens too much, loosely lay a sheet of foil on top. (Don't bunch it, or the meat will steam rather than smoke, resulting in a pot roast-like consistency.)
  • Wrap the brisket: Lay 2 overlapping sheets of pink (unlined) butcher paper or parchment paper on your work surface. Each piece should be about 3 feet long. You want to create a square about 3 feet on each side. Wearing heatproof rubber or silicone gloves (or carefully using tongs), transfer the brisket to the center of this paper square. Fold the bottom section over the brisket. Fold in the sides and roll the brisket over so it's completely swaddled in paper. (It's a little like making a burrito.) Note the orientation: You want the fatty point of the brisket to remain on top. Carefully set the wrapped brisket back on the foil-lined cardboard and return it to the cooker.
  • Continue cooking the brisket to an internal temperature of 200 to 205 degrees (it will be deeply browned and very tender), another 2 to 4 hours, bringing your total cooking time to 8 to 12 hours, depending on your cooker and the size of your brisket. (Start monitoring the internal temperature at the 8-hour mark.) Additional tests for doneness include the jiggle test: Grab the brisket with a gloved hand and shake it; the meat will jiggle like Jell-O. You could also try the bend test: Lift both ends and it will bend easily in the middle, or place a gloved hand under the center of the brisket and the ends will droop.
  • You can eat the brisket now. But there's one more optional step that will take your brisket from excellent to sublime: Let it rest. Place the wrapped brisket in an insulated cooler to rest for 1 to 2 hours, allowing the meat to relax and the juices to redistribute.
  • To serve the brisket, unwrap it over a sheet pan to catch any juices trapped in the paper. Transfer the brisket to a cutting board (ideally, one with a well), lean flat section down. Cut the brisket in half crosswise, separating the flat section from the point section. The corner of the flat furthest from the sliced side may be tough and dry. Make a diagonal cut to remove it. Dice it and serve as burnt ends to thank onlookers for their patience. Look for the grain of the meat. Using a serrated knife or sharp carving knife, slice this section as thickly or as thinly as desired. (Texas tradition calls for slices that are the thickness of a pencil.) If your brisket has somehow come out tough, slice it paper-thin, which will make it seem more tender.
  • Now slice the point section: Again, trim off and discard any obvious large lumps of fat. Slice the meat across the grain into 1/4-inch-thick slices (or as desired). Arrange the slices on a platter or plates and spoon the reserved meat drippings over them. It's nice to serve the meat by itself so you can appreciate the complex interplay of salt, spice, smoke, meat and fat. Texas tradition calls for sliced factory-style white bread. If you opt for barbecue sauce, serve it on the side.

SLOW-COOKED, TEXAS-STYLE BEEF BRISKET



Slow-Cooked, Texas-Style Beef Brisket image

This is a unique method of making lush, succulent, flavorful beef brisket. I found the recipe on another recipe site. It takes 25 hours to make and the wait is definitely worth it.

Provided by mandabears

Categories     Meat

Time P1DT1h15m

Yield 20 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

8 lbs beef brisket, untrimmed
1 cup strong black coffee
14 ounces ketchup
12 fluid ounces cola
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
3 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
2 tablespoons liquid smoke
2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed

Steps:

  • Place the beef brisket in a large slow cooker with the fat side up.
  • Pour the coffee over the meat.
  • Cook the brisket on low for 24 hours.
  • Meanwhile, stir together the ketchup, cola, worchestershire sauce, mustard, liquid smoke and brown sugar in a bowl until well blended.
  • Refrigerate until needed.
  • After 24 hours of cooking, remove and discard any fat from the meat.
  • Use forks to pull the meat apart and shred the meat.
  • Pour the sauce over the meat, stirring to coat evenly and cook 1 hour longer.

SLOW COOKER TEXAS STYLE BEEF BRISKET RECIPE - (4.5/5)



Slow Cooker Texas Style Beef Brisket Recipe - (4.5/5) image

Provided by ShoDav

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 (2.5 - 3) pound lean beef brisket
Marinade
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 bay leaves
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon cumin
1 (4.5 ounce) can diced green chilis
1/2 cup broth, low sodium, fat free (beef, chicken or vegetable will work)
1 teaspoon celery seeds
1 teaspoon black pepper
Kosher or sea salt to taste
1 cup spicy barbecue sauce, more or less to taste (we like Annie's Naturals, BBQ Sauce) or check out our recipe

Steps:

  • Combine all the ingredients--except barbecue sauce--in a bowl, stir and pour over brisket. I like to marinate the brisket right in the slow cooker insert. Marinating is optional but it really adds to the flavor. Marinate brisket in the refrigerator over night if preferred, otherwise move to the next step. Note: If your brisket has a layer of fat, be sure to place the brisket fat side up in the slow cooker. After brisket is done and goes in the roaster pan, remove fat and discard before shredding, slicing or adding barbecue sauce. All all marinade ingredients into the slow cooker, stir and add brisket. Cover and cook on low 8 hours or until tender and easily flakes with a fork. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Add brisket, along with 1/2 cup juices from the slow cooker, to a roasting pan. Discard the remaining liquid along with bay leafs. Either pull the brisket apart with 2 forks or slice thinly across the grain. Pour barbecue sauce over brisket and heat for 15 minutes. Serve on toasted wheat buns or rolls if desired. TIP: To lower the calories, fat and carbohydrates, simply cut the serving size in half...which will equal 1/2 cup.

SMOKED BRISKET SOUTH TEXAS STYLE



Smoked Brisket South Texas Style image

This recipe has been passed around between me and my friends for a long time. I don't know who originally came up with it but it is simple to cook and worth the wait. The only problem you may encounter is regulating the temperature on your pit.

Provided by Sgt. Pepper

Categories     Meat

Time 10h10m

Yield 20 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 3

10 -12 lbs beef brisket
1/2 cup butter
2 cups brown sugar

Steps:

  • Prep your pit with your favorite wood.
  • I prefer pecan for the mellow flavor.
  • Optimum cooking temperature will be between 200 to 250 degrees.
  • Trim excess fat from brisket and place in smoker.
  • Let it slow smoke for 2 hours or until you have a good smoke ring around it.
  • Remove from smoker and rub it down with a stick of butter and then rub in the brown sugar.
  • Wrap in tin foil and place back in the smoker cooking at 1 hour per pound while maintaining slow smoked temperature.
  • If the temperature is too hard to control then you can cook as above for the first two hours or until you get a good smoke ring, add butter and brown suger, wrap in tin foil and cook in oven at 225 degrees for the remaining cooking time.

TEXAS STYLE BARBECUED BEEF BRISKET



Texas Style Barbecued Beef Brisket image

Good for a day when you just don't feel like grilling, but want barbecue. This is good served with Texas toast and slaw! You can soak up the pan juices with the toast.

Provided by Lynette !

Categories     Beef

Time 7h15m

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 large sweet onion, sliced
3 clove garlic, chopped
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp jarred beef soup base
1 Tbsp worcestershire sauce
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp pepper
1 1/2 tsp hickory liquid smoke
2-3 lb beef brisket flat, trimmed
1/4 c beer
3 Tbsp bottled chili sauce

Steps:

  • 1. Lightly grease a 6 quart slow cooker; add onion and garlic.
  • 2. Stir together the chili powder and the next 5 ingredients. Rub over the brisket; place the brisket over the onion mixture in the slow cooker.
  • 3. Whisk together beer and chili sauce. Slowly pour the mixture around the brisket (to avoid removing spices from the brisket).
  • 4. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours, or until fork tender. Uncover and let stand in the slow cooker for 20 minutes.
  • 5. Remove the brisket from the slow cooker; cut brisket across the grain into thin slices. Return brisket to the slow cooker, and spoon the pan juices over the meat.

SLOW-COOKED, TEXAS-STYLE BEEF BRISKET



Slow-Cooked, Texas-Style Beef Brisket image

This slow-cooker recipe comes directly from the heart of a wonderful Texas cook who makes the best brisket in the world! Yay, Papa Louis! He shared it with me years ago, via my sister (his daughter-in-law). I change it from time to time by adding ingredients to make it more Mexican (serve it with tortillas), or leave it as is and serve it with fresh rolls.

Provided by Ly

Categories     100+ Everyday Cooking Recipes

Time P1DT1h15m

Yield 20

Number Of Ingredients 8

8 pounds untrimmed beef brisket
1 cup strong black coffee
1 (14 ounce) bottle ketchup
1 (12 fluid ounce) can cola carbonated beverage
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
3 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
2 tablespoons liquid smoke flavoring
2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed

Steps:

  • Place the beef brisket in a large slow cooker with the fat side up. Pour the coffee over the meat. Cook the brisket on LOW for 24 hours.
  • Meanwhile, stir together the ketchup, cola beverage, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, liquid smoke, and brown sugar in a bowl until well blended. Refrigerate until needed.
  • After 24 hours, remove and discard any fat from the brisket. Use a fork to pull apart and shred the meat. Pour the sauce over the meat, stirring to coat evenly, and cook 1 hour longer.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 353.4 calories, Carbohydrate 8.9 g, Cholesterol 74.6 mg, Fat 26.6 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 19.1 g, SaturatedFat 10 g, Sodium 322.5 mg, Sugar 8.1 g

TEXAS-STYLE SMOKED BRISKET RECIPE - (4.1/5)



Texas-Style Smoked Brisket Recipe - (4.1/5) image

Provided by mahto

Number Of Ingredients 8

EQUIPMENT:
1 (10 to 12-pound) whole beef brisket, fat trimmed to 1/4-inch thickness
1/3 cup Kosher salt
1/3 cup freshly ground black pepper
a gas grill with a full tank of propane and a drip tray
8 cups all-natural hardwood chips, preferably hickory, for smoking
a smoker box
a grill or analog thermometer (we recommend it even if your grill has one)

Steps:

  • Season the meat an hour before preparing the grill, place brisket on a rimmed baking sheet. Mix salt and pepper in a small bowl and season the meat all over (it should look like sand stuck to wet skin but without being cakey). Let meat sit at room temperature for 1 hour. Prepare your grill. Meanwhile, soak 6 cups wood chips in a bowl of water for at least 30 minutes or overnight. Leave in water throughout the cooking process. Keep remaining 2 cups chips dry. Light only 1 grill burner to medium (if using a 3-burner grill, light burner on either end). Make sure drip tray is empty, as a lot of fat will render. Place smoker box over the lit burner, add 1/2 cup soaked wood chips to box, and close grill. Adjust heat as needed to keep temperature at 225 to 250°F. We recommend using a stand-alone thermometer, even if your grill has one, to ensure an accurate reading. Stick it through the gap between the lid and base of the grill (or set it on the grill's upper shelf, though this is not ideal, as it requires opening the lid more frequently). The wood chips should begin to smolder and release a steady stream of smoke. How long this takes depends on how wet your chips are and the heat of your grill. To get more smoke without increasing grill heat, add a few dry chips to the soaked ones. Maintain the heat. Place brisket, fatty side up, on grill grate as far away from lit burner as possible. Cover grill and smoke meat, resisting the urge to open grill often, as this will cause the temperature to fluctuate. Adjust heat as needed to keep temperature steady at 225 to 250°F. Check wood chips every 45 minutes or so, and add soaked chips by 1/2-cupfuls as needed to keep smoke level constant. If you just don't want to spend your whole day at the grill, here's a fail-safe, Aaron Franklin- endorsed alternate method that will deliver similarly glorious results: Smoke brisket on grill until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of meat registers 150 to 170°F, 5 to 6 hours. Wrap brisket in foil, place on a baking sheet, and cook in a 250°F oven until meat reaches the same 195 to 205°F internal temperature, 4 to 6 hours longer. What's important is getting that smoky flavor into the meat, and 5 to 6 hours on the grill should do it. After that point, you're simply getting the meat cooked through. DO AHEAD: Brisket is best shortly off the grill, but you can still get good results smoking it up to 3 days ahead. Let cool for an hour before wrapping in foil and chilling. To serve, reheat meat, still wrapped, in a 325°F oven until warmed through.

Tips and Conclusion

Tips:
  • Choose the right brisket: Look for a brisket that is well-marbled with fat, which will help keep the meat moist and flavorful during cooking.
  • Trim the brisket: Remove any excess fat from the brisket, leaving a thin layer of fat on the surface.
  • Season the brisket: Apply a generous amount of salt, pepper, and other spices to the brisket, making sure to rub it into the meat.
  • Cook the brisket low and slow: The best way to cook a brisket is to cook it low and slow. This will allow the meat to cook evenly and develop a rich, smoky flavor.
  • Wrap the brisket: Once the brisket has cooked for several hours, wrap it in butcher paper or aluminum foil to help it retain moisture.
  • Rest the brisket: After the brisket is cooked, let it rest for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.

Conclusion:

Cooking a Texas-style brisket is a labor of love, but it is well worth the effort. With a little planning and preparation, you can create a delicious and memorable meal that your family and friends will love. Be patient and don't rush the process. The key to a great brisket is to cook it low and slow until it is fall-apart tender. So fire up your smoker or grill and get ready to enjoy the best brisket you've ever had!

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