How Do You Cook Smoked Beef Brisket?

Tailgating is about having fun, and there is nothing better than some good food and great company. The easy, delicious, and handheld smoked beef brisket tacos are just what your tailgate needs. A Smoked Beef Brisket Tacos can be perfected with just a few steps. It may be a recipe that you’ll want to use again and again.

Smoked brisket isn’t hard to make, but it does take time and patience. Follow the mentioned brisket street tacos recipe and tips to get the best-smoked brisket tacos you’ve ever had.

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What Is Brisket?

The brisket is one of the most important nine cuts of meat. The meat is cut from the long, strong fibers of the muscle, which comes from the lower chest. It has two different muscle groups, the flat and the point, which can be cut into different sizes depending on the size of the whole brisket.

How To Smoke A Brisket?

Select The Brisket

When buying a brisket, it’s essential to pick one that’s packed with both the point and the flat. You can also say it is a packer brisket cut and buy easily from the market. Most chefs recommend getting a whole packer brisket especially if you are cooking to feed crowds. 

A whole packer brisket is a great solution for juicy, tender, and smoky smoked meat that won’t be dry. Hence, always buy approximately 1/2 pounds per person brisket whenever you decide to make smoked beef brisket tacos. 

Trim Brisket

You can’t grill a good brisket if you don’t remove most of the thick fat cap first. You want to leave only a thin layer of fat on the brisket. Similarly, its essential to trim unnecessary fat available on brisket, if you didn’t clean the brisket then it may not cook up as well and will taste more like a slab of fatty brisket than a flavorful smoky piece of meat.

Season The Brisket

Some people think that dry-aging brisket makes for the most flavorful and tender beef, but some discovered that it ends up giving tasty but a bit dry brisket. To get the trendier and juicier brisket, it’s better to brine it and keep in the fridge. Then before smoking, let the brisket come to room temperature. If you are cooking the large whole packer cut (16 or more pounds), then it may take an hour to come to room temperature. Similarly, you need to wait till the packer reaches the room temperature then start smoking.

Brine Your Brisket

Brining ensures that your brisket is tender, moist, and delicious. Follow this simple, quick, and easy brine recipe. All you require is to take a large pot and pour some water and apple cider vinegar it (you can also use dutch oven or sealed bag for this purpose). After that, add peppercorns, sugar, and bay leaves to the mixture. Then, mix it well and dissolve the sugar. Now it’s time to add the brisket in the brine mixture and keep it in the fridge for at least three hours.

After three hours, you should remove it from the liquid. You should avoid rinsing the brisket, as that will change the flavor.

Dry Rub The Brisket To Make It Tastier

Traditional ways to season a brisket are to rub it with brown sugar, onion, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Also, you can make a spicy kick by sprinkling it with paprika or chipotle peppers.

Smoke Your Brisket

Try using an efficient smoker to make smoking beef brisket in limited time and effort. Similarly, the Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill is great for smoking brisket because you can easily control the heat of your smoke. For this brisket recipe, applewood pellets work best. Applewood chips give the brisket a slightly smoky and sweet taste that’s ideal for barbecuing. Make sure you have a meat thermometer, place it at the thickest part of meat. Don’t let the fat prevent you from getting the probe in the right spot.

It’s essential to plan for the time-consuming process of smoking brisket. A large piece of meat can take approximately eight to nine hours to completely cook. Whereas a pound of meat would take half an hour in smoking ideally. Additionally, its crucial to rest the meat after cooking to achieve wonderful tender.

When the Camp Chef Smoker is preheating to the required temperature, it is now time to place the brisket in the smoker and close the lid. While the brisket is cooking, make sure to monitor its temperature. The total time beef would take in reaching the temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit is 6 hours. It is always important to keep an eye on the meat thermometer and let the brisket cook until the internal temperature hits 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Don’t open the smoker lid and avoid flipping the brisket while cooking.

Wrap And Smoke Again

One the temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit, time to take out the brisket from the smoker, and wrap it tightly by using high quality aluminum foil. Now, add a cup of beef broth to the aluminum foil packet, and again put the brisket into the smoker. You need to cook it for four more hours until the internal temperature reaches 205 degrees Fahrenheit. The total smoking time for a whole packer brisket will likely take all day. Still, by maintaining the brisket at a steady temperature during the entire smoking process, the result will be a moist, tender smoked brisket that you can enjoy.

Rest The Smoked Brisket

This dish isn’t something you should eat right away. If you do, it won’t taste as good. Instead, you want to rest your brisket for a while before slicing and eating it. The resting process retains brisket juices and makes the meat more scrumptious. Additionally, it helps your brisket come down to a perfectly sliced and serving temperature.

Slice And Serve

Slice ideally the smoked brisket and serve with the favorite sauces and side dishes to your loved ones. They will surely get impressed by your smoking skills when eating the delicious beef brisket.

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How Long To Smoke A Brisket?

It’s pretty straightforward; you don’t have to do anything. The meat goes in, comes out of the smoker at a consistent temperature of 225 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit, and again stays there until it’s done. It’s a good idea to plan on about an hour to an hour and a half per pound, which means that brisket should take the better part of the day to finish.

Many chefs don’t recommend smoking a brisket for dinner. But, if you try so, you may have to change the dinner plans when the brisket took a little longer than expected. Hence, it’s always best to put a probe-style thermometer in the brisket; then, you may know when it is done.

Tips For Perfectly Making Brisket Tacos

These Mexican Street tacos are perfect for sharing, or they can be made as leftovers, too. Be sure to use top-notch brisket for these and follow these tips to get the best possible results.

• There are many ways to serve tacos to your friends or family. However, it’s most common to lay an entire slice of brisket (point or flat) onto the tortilla.
• It’s all about getting creative with brisket tacos toppings. Some people keep tacos in the Tex-Mex genre and top them with BBQ sauce, jalapenos, and green onions. However, you can keep the best toppings for brisket tacos to your liking and get creative with how you build and shape your tacos.
• Lastly, it’s good to prepare all things taco before the event. You would like your brisket to be eaten in a short amount of time. Before you cut the first slice of brisket, make sure the tortillas are warm enough.

Smoked Brisket Tacos Recipe

Required Ingredients For Brisket

• 8-10 pound beef brisket
• 1 cup beef stock
• Applewood chunks
• lump charcoal
• 2 Tbsp paprika
• 2 Tbsp chili powder
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 Tbsp black pepper
• 2 Tbsp onion powder
• 1 Tbsp garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp kosher salt
• 2 tsp dry mustard
• 2 Tbsp dark brown sugar
• Large disposable aluminum pan

Directions

• You’ll need a small bowl and combine the spices for the rub. Generously apply to all sides of the brisket. Let it sit at room temperature for an hour or in the fridge overnight.
• Preheat your smoker to 225 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Add wood chunks to the coals after the smoker has reached a stable temperature. The fattier side of the brisket should be placed on the grate. Then, put the probe into the center of the brisket, close the lid, and let it start smoking.
• Keep an eye on the internal smoker temperature and ensure it stays within the ideal smoking range of 225 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Remove the brisket from the smoker when it has reached 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Place it in the disposable aluminum pan and pour the stock over the brisket. Wrap the pan ideally and then place it back into the smoker.
• Once the brisket’s internal temperature reaches 190 degrees Fahrenheit, you need to remove the brisket from the smoker. Let the brisket rest for 30 minutes in the same aluminum foil before slicing.
• Then after resting, slice the brisket and serve with Tacos and Guacamole.

Required Ingredients For Tacos And Guacamole

Tacos

• 6 medium flour tortillas
• ½ cup cherry tomatoes cut into quarters
• 3 cups smoked brisket chopped
• ¼ cup red onion thinly sliced
• fresh limes
• fresh cilantro

Guacamole

• 2 avocados pitted and peeled
• 1 jalapeno seeds and ribs removed, diced
• ½ cup red onion diced
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 Tbsp lime juice
• ½ tsp garlic minced
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro minced
• ½ tsp chipotle powder

Directions

• Add all the guacamole ingredients to a medium bowl. Mash them together using a fork.
• After that, spread two tablespoons of guacamole onto each flour tortillas.
• Lay the cooked tortilla on a serving plate and spread the brisket mixture evenly across the tortilla. Top with chopped tomatoes and onions.
• For a pleasant look, sprinkle the finely chopped cilantro and add fresh lime juice on the top of each taco to make it tastier.

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Why Should You Try This Recipe?

• These tacos are great for kids because they’re generally a win anyway, but when kids can customize the toppings to their preferences, it helps make them even more kid-friendly.
• The adult version of this kid’s favorite dish- the grown-up taco tastes just as good as the kids and adults will love them too! This taco maintains some complexity and exciting flavors that the kids will enjoy.
• Make as many tacos as you need – this recipe takes about the same amount of time whether you make two tacos or ten.
• These easy leftover brisket recipes are fast and delicious, but what makes smoked brisket leftover recipes even more astonishing is their flexibility. You can use whatever ingredients you have on hand and still end up with delicious tacos.
• Make your tacos with any toppings you like. For example, you can substitute lettuce for cilantro, pico for salsa, use a different cheese, or leave out anything you don’t like.

Sides Dishes To Serve With Smoked Beef Brisket Tacos

These tacos are delicious and can be served with several different side dish options. Try them with any suggested side dishes for an extra filling meal.

Coleslaw: To make your life easier, why not serve a side dish called “coleslaw” to go with your brisket. It only takes five minutes to prepare, and it is incredibly delicious.

Baked Beans: Are an excellent treat for all ages, but they’re delicious as part of a spread served alongside pork shoulder or beef brisket. Add cider-molasses barbecue sauce and flavor the beans with bacon, peppers, and onions for a delicious meal that’ll be a memorable addition to your guests’ dinner table.

Mac and Cheese: A simple way to add an extra kick to any dish is by serving it with mac and cheese. If you’ve got some slow cooker brisket on hand, think about serving it with a big bowl of creamy mac and cheese, and then you’ve got something hard to beat.

Cilantro Lime Rice: A side dish that’s a lot like the rice in Chipotle, is the perfect side for this Beef Brisket easy taco recipe.

Grilled Potato Skins: Roasted spuds are an excellent alternative to traditional mashed potatoes because they add a layer of flavor to the potatoes. And since you’re grilling, you may as well make it an appetizer or side dish for the brisket.

You can choose one or more side dishes to make a wholesome, well-rounded meal.

How Do You Smoke A Brisket And Keep It Moist?

To keep your brisket juicy and moist, place a water pan in the smoker, and spray it with water, apple cider vinegar, or apple juice every 30 to 60 minutes. You can also use the Texas crutch to lock in humidity[1]. The technique involves wrapping the brisket with butcher paper or foil reaching 160 F.

Do You Marinate A Brisket Before Smoking?

Yes, marinating the brisket before smoking is ideal for enhancing the food’s flavor. Similarly, if you’re going to rub, marinate it at least an hour before you start cooking. Therefore, it doesn’t even matter which method you opt for marinating, important is to let the meat come to room temperature right before smoking. You can marinate the brisket in citrus juices or any other suitable mixture to enhance the brisket taste and tender.

How Long Does A Brisket Take at 225 Degrees F?

It takes about 1.5 hours per pound to cook the brisket and other larger pieces of meat at 225 degrees F internal temperature.

How Long Should A 5 Pound Brisket Smoke?

It takes between 5 and 7 hours to smoke a 5-pound brisket, but it might cook in as little as 4 to 5 hours if you use the foil method. But, of course, wrapping the meat piece in foil will make the cooking time much shorter.

How Long Does A 14 Pound Brisket Take To Smoke?

It takes approximately 1 to 1 ½ hours per pound to smoke a whole packer brisket. Smoking times for 14-pound brisket are between 14 to 17 ½ hours. Smoking meat seems to take longer than you think, so start early and cook accordingly.

Is It Required To Flip A Brisket When Smoking?

Letting the brisket sit in one position the whole time will dry out the meat simply because there is an uneven airflow inside the smoker. Ideally, flip and rotate your brisket at least once during the cooking. However, avoid flipping frequently.

What Should You Spray Brisket With?

There are many ways to retain moisture in your brisket; whether it’s the best method to use depends on your preferences and the types of products you’re using. Most chefs recommend spraying water on the brisket to make it moist. Additionally, to keep the brisket juicy, moist and tender, put the brisket in the smoker and place a water pan on top. Water, apple juice, hot sauce, or apple cider vinegar will help retain moisture and stop the brisket from burning.

Do You Put The Brisket In Foil When Smoking?

It’s important to wrap a brisket properly. To prevent what’s called “the stall,” cover the brisket in butcher paper or aluminum foil. Wrapping the brisket will prevent evaporation from the surface of the meat and keep it moist during the long cooking time.

At What Temperature Should You Wrap The Brisket?

When the meat reaches about 160-170 degrees F, and the exteriors of the brisket are reddish-brown or have a deep reddish-brown crust on them, it’s time to wrap the meat. Wrap the meat in a double layer of heavy-duty foil or use a double layer of fresh butcher paper.

What When You Wrap The Brisket Too Early?

You’ll probably need to let the brisket smoke for a long time before it reaches the 150°F to 170°F temperature. If you wrap it too early, you won’t get that nice crunchy bark. In addition, wrapping brisket early will soften the bark, so it’s better to know when to remove the brisket and wrap it.

What Is The Lowest Temperature To Smoke A Brisket?

Brisket cooked on a grill should be at a temperature of around 225°F to 250°F, though cooking can be done as low as about 210°F.

How To Make The Brisket Taste Better?

The trick to a great steak is to use either lemon or lime juice or a vinegar-based marinade; then, add the seasonings and spices you love most. To add sweetness, go for a mixture of brown sugar and honey. For something spicy, use crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne. See the above-mentioned smoked brisket recipe and recommended tips for marinating cuts of beef.

Why Is Sometimes The Smoked Brisket Gets Tough?

Brisket has a lot of connective tissue, which makes it tough. The type of connective tissue found in brisket is called collagen. Therefore, cooking the brisket at a high temperature can get you tough, dry meat. Similarly, it is ideal for cooking the brisket slowly, with some liquid, and you’ll end up with tender, juicy brisket.

Conclusion

Smoking is a simple method for cooking food outdoors, but smoking a brisket is one of the more complicated meals many grills master’s tackle. The whole packer brisket can take all day to cook, so you want to make sure you get it out to everyone perfectly cooked. Our favorite brisket recipe is the above-mentioned smoked beef tacos.

This is the step-by-step guide that’ll get you smoking a perfectly smoked brisket in a limited time. Similarly, following the recipe will ensure the smoked brisket comes out wonderful juicy on the inside with perfect crisp on the outside. Hence, pair it with vegetable sides, slice it into strips and serve your guest ideally.

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