Brined And Smoked Brisket Recipes

Steps:

• Make the brisket: Mix the paprika, brown sugar and 2 tablespoons each salt and pepper in a small bowl. Rub and pat all over the brisket in a thick even coating. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
• When ready to grill, soak the wood chips in cold water in a large bowl. Prepare a charcoal grill for indirect cooking: Light the coals, then bank them to one side of the grill. Set up a drip pan on the other side of the grill and replace the grates. Let the fire burn until the temperature is between 200 degrees F and 250 degrees F (you should be able to hold your hand about 5 inches away from the coals for 6 seconds). Drain the wood chips and scatter a handful of them over the coals. (If using a gas grill, cook over low indirect heat and use a smoker box for the wood chips.)
• Place the brisket fat-side up on the grates above the drip pan. Cover the grill; adjust the vents to maintain a temperature between 200 degrees F and 250 degrees F. Cook until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the brisket registers 185 degrees F to 200 degrees F, 7 1/2 to 10 hours. Rotate the brisket every few hours and add more charcoal and wood chips every 45 minutes to keep the temperature steady (use dry wood chips if you need more).
• Remove the brisket from the grill, wrap in foil and let rest 45 minutes to 1 hour. Pour the drippings from the drip pan into a bowl; let them settle, then skim off the fat.
• Meanwhile make the sauce: Combine the vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, paprika and 1 teaspoon salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, whisking, until hot but not boiling, about 3 minutes. Let cool; season with salt.
• Slice the brisket against the grain. Serve with the pan juices and sauce.

Steps:

• Soak the hickory chips in water for 1 hour before grilling.
• For the brine: Combine the apple cider and water in a large, oval Dutch oven. Add the salt and sugar and stir until it dissolves. Add the black peppercorns and bay leaves. Add the brisket and let soak in the brine solution for up to 3 hours in the refrigerator.
• For the rub: Combine the salt, paprika, pepper, sugar, and onion powder together in a bowl.
• For the sauce: Add all the ingredients to a saucepan and simmer for 5 minutes so the butter can melt and the flavors can marry.
• For the brisket: Set up your smoker with charcoal and hickory chips using indirect heat. Heat the grill to 275 degrees F.
• Remove the brisket from the fridge. Drain from the brine and pat dry with paper towels. Place on a rimmed sheet tray. Rub the brisket with the spice mixture.
• Place the seasoned brisket fat cap side up on the grill and smoke for 2 hours with the grill lid covered. (Starting with the fat cap side up allows the fat to melt into the brisket, adding moisture and flavor.) Flip and smoke 2 more hours. Check and refill charcoal levels and hickory chips throughout the smoking process, keeping the temperature at a constant 275 degrees F.
• Remove the brisket from the grill and wrap in a double layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Place back on the grill for 1 1/2 more hours.
• Remove the brisket from the grill, unwrap the foil, brush the brisket with sauce (or serve on the side), tent with foil, and let rest for 30 minutes before slicing across the grain. Drizzle more sauce when serving.

Steps:

• Soak wood chips in water for at least 1 hour.
• Preheat a smoker to 225 to 250 degrees F (107 to 121 degrees C) according to manufacturer's instructions. Maintain temperature for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine rosemary, paprika, pepper, garlic flakes, and salt. Rub mixture over brisket.
• Drain wood chips and place on coals. Place a water pan on the smoker and add water to the depth of the fill line. Place brisket on the lower cooking grate and cover with the smoker lid.
• Smoke brisket, maintaining the smoker's internal temperature at 225 to 250 degrees F (107 to 121 degrees F) until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), about 3 hours.
• Remove brisket from the smoker and place on a sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Wrap tightly and return to the smoker. Smoke until an instant-read thermometer registers between 195 and 205 degrees F (91 and 96 degrees C), about 2 hours.