Smoked Texas-Style Brisket

psoltesz

New member
Here is my brisket recipe.  Enjoy!

Phil's Killer Brisket

One 8-12 lb whole brisket
4 tbsp finely ground coffee
4 tbsp chili powder
5 tsp brown sugar
5 tsp garlic salt
5 tsp onion powder
5 tsp smoked paprika
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp McCormick Smokehouse pepper

Combine all dry ingredients in a Tupperware bowl and seal.  Shake the bowl to mix the ingredients.

Rub into brisket at least 12 hours before smoking.  Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate.

When ready to begin smoking, unwrap brisket and place in center rack inside smoker with the fat side UP.  Add a small pan of water to the lower rack (for moisture).

Close smoker and set for 220 degrees.  Smoke brisket for one hour per pound + two hours .  (Example: an 8-lb brisket will smoke for ten hours.)

To help maintain moisture, open the smoker every hour for the first FIVE hours and spray with apple juice.  This is a critical step to making sure the meat doesn't get dry.

After 5-6 hours, remove brisket from smoker and wrap tightly in aluminum foil with one half cup of apple juice.  Return to the smoker for the remainder of the time, or until the thickest part of the brisket registers 195-198 degrees.

This next step isn't necessary, but I find it really increases the flavor and tenderness of the meat, which is really important for brisket.

Remove brisket from smoker, but do not unwrap.  Place wrapped brisket inside a turkey-size oven bag and then place it inside a cooler (the kind you use for sodas, etc). Place several towels on top (enough to basically take up all open space inside the cooler) and shut the cooler.  Let the brisket rest inside cooler for 1-2 hours at room temperature.  Don't worry, the meat will still be plenty hot.

After 1-2 hours, remove brisket from cooler, unwrap, and slice across the grain for maximum tenderness.  Serve with BBQ sauce and enjoy!


 
Sounds good.  Is there much of a recovery time back to temperature after opening the door?
 
It's not too bad if you do it quickly, which is one of the reasons I use the spray bottle instead of a brush or mop.  I can open the door, spray, and close it in less than one minute.
 
Never heard of coffee in the rub, but I'm putting it in there this weekend. Doing a brisket for Sunday dinner.

Thanks for the tip. 

Bill in NC
 
The best advantage to adding coffee is the browning effect.  What it really does is help create that nice, dark, crusty bark!

I'm a huge bark shark.  ;D

  - Phil
 
Personally I love coffee/espresso rubs on my steaks never thought about it on a brisket. I'm sure combined with Apple wood you are getting black bark. I'll have to try your spritzing method. I have yet to make a brisket that I loved, mine always end up too dry, I'm thinking I trim it down too much combined with not adding any moisture to the smoker.
 
Were having a lot of family to our house over a two week period in late July (16 - 18 people and probably no less than 10 at any given time) I'm putting together a menu of meat to smoke while they're here and this really sounds good!

Grimm5577 mentioned apple wood, is this the recommended wood for brisket?
 
You can also mix woods ... apple is a somewhat mild flavor while mesquite would obviously be quite strong ... if you put them together you get a unique flavor profile.

I'm partial to 2 oz. of pecan and 2 oz. of cherry for brisket in the #3 (with a cherry reload as the temp gets near 140) ... but hickory or apple would also stand up quite well.
 
UWFSAE said:
You can also mix woods ... apple is a somewhat mild flavor while mesquite would obviously be quite strong ... if you put them together you get a unique flavor profile.

I'm partial to 2 oz. of pecan and 2 oz. of cherry for brisket in the #3 (with a cherry reload as the temp gets near 140) ... but hickory or apple would also stand up quite well.

I mentioned apple wood because it creates a really dark bark on the meat. It can make a chicken skin black. Personally for brisket I like Mesquite and Cherry or Hickory. Apple is a bit mild to really penetrate and add a good wood flavor to the meat.
 
I'm planning a brisket this weekend, and your rub looks like a winner.  I just can't wrap my mind around the ground coffee, though.  Is it necessary for flavor, or just making a dark bark?  I can't help but think you'll taste it, and maybe even feel the grittiness of it.  I'm not fond of a taking a swig of coffee and getting grounds in it!  :(
 
DivotMaker said:
I'm planning a brisket this weekend, and your rub looks like a winner.  I just can't wrap my mind around the ground coffee, though.  Is it necessary for flavor, or just making a dark bark?  I can't help but think you'll taste it, and maybe even feel the grittiness of it.  I'm not fond of a taking a swig of coffee and getting grounds in it!  :(

You don't taste the coffee at all...I use it merely for the browning effect.  Mixing a little coffee into the rub ensures you will get a nice, dark, crusty bark on the outside of the meat.

That said, the coffee is not absolutely necessary.  If you'd prefer not to include it, it won't affect the flavor of the brisket.

Enjoy!
 
psoltesz said:
DivotMaker said:
I'm planning a brisket this weekend, and your rub looks like a winner.  I just can't wrap my mind around the ground coffee, though.  Is it necessary for flavor, or just making a dark bark?  I can't help but think you'll taste it, and maybe even feel the grittiness of it.  I'm not fond of a taking a swig of coffee and getting grounds in it!  :(

You don't taste the coffee at all...I use it merely for the browning effect.  Mixing a little coffee into the rub ensures you will get a nice, dark, crusty bark on the outside of the meat.

That said, the coffee is not absolutely necessary.  If you'd prefer not to include it, it won't affect the flavor of the brisket.

Enjoy!

I'm not scared, and actually have a pretty open-mind about new ideas!  Thanks for the reassurance that it doesn't make the brisket taste like a brisket-latte!  lol. 
 
I have even added coffee to my pork rub when doing spares...........comes out nice.......
 
smokeasaurus said:
I have even added coffee to my pork rub when doing spares...........comes out nice.......

Nice!  I'm definitely trying it.  Any preference on coffee, or will any auto grind work? 
 
DivotMaker said:
Nice!  I'm definitely trying it.  Any preference on coffee, or will any auto grind work?

Definitely get a dark roast.  I always use espresso, because it's already finely ground.

  - Phil
 
Thanks, gang, for all the good info on the use of coffee!  Who knew??  Another great use for one of my favorite things in the world!
 
I know I`m late on the comment but if you get pre-ground.  get a turkish grind.  it`s usually the finest....
 
I posted a review of my brisket with Phil's rub under the beef section.  I improvised on the coffee by putting my Folger's Gourmet Supreme in the coffee grinder and re-grinding it!  It's a dark roast, and I love the taste.  Worked great!  No grittiness or anything in the finished product!  I'm a believer in the coffee rub thing now!
 
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