Our Pitmaster’s brisket handbook will walk you through selecting the best brisket, how to infuse it with flavor, smoke it using different cooking equipment, and much more!
Our comprehensive brisket guide includes tips, tricks, and recipes to help you level up your brisket game. No need to search high and low for the information because we’ve curated it all for you. Keep this handbook close by to help you become a seasoned expert in the art of brisket!
Brisket 101
In this section of our Pitmaster’s brisket handbook, you will discover how to choose the best brisket for your needs, understand quality, the smoker and pellet grill methods, and learn how to reheat your leftovers.
The Brisket Buying Guide
Are you unfamiliar with beef brisket? This brisket buying guide is here to help. Thanks to the increasing popularity of brisket, it has evolved from a cut of beef often ground into burgers to one of the most coveted choices for barbecue. Once upon a time, there were limited options for brisket, but now there is a wide range of prices and choices available in the market. Let’s explore all the selections of brisket available today.
Smoke Cooking a Brisket
If you’re seeking to elevate your Pitmaster skills and craft the most exquisite smoked brisket you’ve ever tasted, then you’ve come to the right place! This comprehensive guide is filled with expert tips and step-by-step instructions on how to smoke a brisket to perfection.
The Pellet Grill Method
Cooking a brisket on a pellet grill is easy and yields delicious results. This guide will walk you through the steps for perfecting this beef cut and will result in a tender, juicy, perfectly smoked brisket. So, if you’re looking for a Texas-style brisket recipe and own a pellet grill, this cooking method is for you.
How to Reheat Barbecued Meat
It takes hours to make great-tasting barbecued proteins, but how do you reheat the leftovers without drying out the meat or ruining the smoke flavor? The big secret is to start by storing leftover barbecue correctly. Then, use the appropriate reheating method for the type of protein you have.
Injection Marinades for Brisket
Using an injection marinade on brisket is crucial for infusing flavor deep into the meat, ensuring it stays tender and juicy throughout the cooking process. Here, you’ll find several recipes to choose from. Some are simple, others with more complicated ingredients. When selecting an injection marinade, it is important that it complements the flavors of the rub you’ll be using. For a full tutorial on how to make and use a brisket injection marinade, see the video below.
Competition Brisket Injection
Take your low and slow cooking to the next level with this competition brisket injection marinade. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting your BBQ journey, this Pitmaster’s secret concoction is a great choice. Crafted specifically for competition use, this marinade is designed to bring out the best in your meats, ensuring an impressive and flavorful result every time.
The Best Brisket Injection
Add incredible flavor and juiciness to your brisket by using our handcrafted Best Brisket Injection Marinade recipe. This elite marinade is infused with the rich flavors of whiskey and works to tenderize tough cuts of beef. When injected in a brisket before smoking, the results are mouthwatering and succulent.
Savory Brisket Injection
The savory brisket injection marinade is a flavorful and effective way to infuse your brisket with rich flavor and moisture. The combination of coffee and beef broth creates a delicious and tender result.
More Flavor – Best Rubs for Brisket
If you’re on the hunt for the best brisket rub recipes, you’re in luck. After years of development, we have curated the ultimate collection of recipes that will take your smoked brisket to the next level. These diverse rubs offer a multitude of flavor profiles that will keep your BBQ adventures fresh and exciting. Try one, or try them all!
Best Brisket Rub Recipes
Finishing Touches – Brisket Spritzes, Mops, and Sauces
A spritz or mop will help keep your smoked brisket moist before wrapping. If applied carefully, it will not affect the bark, the flavorful and crispy outer layer, you’ve worked so hard to achieve. These mixtures are simple, thin liquids applied with a food-safe squirt bottle or a traditional mop brush. When using a mop brush, be sure to blot the mixture on the brisket lightly and avoid brushing or wiping away the bark.
In this section of our Pitmaster’s brisket handbook, you’ll also find recipes for brisket sauces. These BBQ sauces are served on the side and are never applied directly to the brisket. These sauces are intended to enhance BBQ brisket sandwiches, burnt ends, or they are offered up as an optional condiment.
The Ultimate BBQ Spritz
This ultimate BBQ spritz that will completely revolutionize your low and slow cooking game! Our spritz is made with bourbon and is perfect for preventing smoked brisket and other BBQ proteins from drying out during long cooking times. The apple bourbon combo adds a next level of flavor that doesn’t overpower the meat. This Pitmaster concoction is a win-win in our book!
Brisket Mop
Don’t sleep on this brisket mop! It is one of our favorite go-to mop recipes forsmoking a brisket. We also use it on game meats like venison or wild boar. You can use this mixture “mop-style,” or pour it to a kitchen-safe squirt bottle and use it as a spritz.
Smoked Brisket Sauce
This rich tomato-based brisket sauce compliments the natural beefiness of smoked brisket. Serve it on brisket sandwiches or on the side at the table. The mouthwatering flavor will keep you coming back for more!
Texas Barbecue Sauce
The big, bold flavors of this Texas barbecue sauce is perfect basted on beef back ribs, spare ribs, and chicken, or dolloped onto a heaping pile of pulled pork or smoked brisket. This sauce is versatile, delicious, and easy to make!
Espresso BBQ Sauce
This recipe is inspired by Aaron Franklin’s Texas-style espresso BBQ sauce, with our added personal touch. If you’re a fan of his sauce, were confident you’ll love this one. Use as a condiment for brisket sandwiches, or pour this delicious sauce into a squeeze bottle and serve it at the table.
Leftover Recipes
Are you looking for ways to use up those smoked brisket leftovers? Don’t worry, this section of our Pitmaster’s brisket handbook has you covered with these delicious recipes.
Smothered Smoked Brisket Burritos
This smothered smoked brisket burritos recipe is a great way to use up leftover brisket These hefty, enchilada style burritos are truly the perfect comfort food. What is even better is that you can make your own homemade rojo sauce or use your favorite store-bought brand. The same goes for the refried beans and Spanish rice!
Brisket Hash and Eggs
Starting your day with a delicious, slightly smoky brisket hash is truly rewarding.This tender brisket hash recipe is perfect for Sunday brunch or make ahead meals.
Texas Smoked Brisket Reuben
The Texas Smoked Brisket Reuben is the BBQ equivalent of a traditional deli Reuben sandwich by using smoked beef brisket instead of corned beef. This delicious fusion of flavors and textures is for sandwich enthusiasts who enjoy bold, meaty sandwiches with a touch of Central Texas flair.And, it’s an excellent way to use up leftover smoked brisket!
Brisket Alternative Recipes
These recipes are ideal for small gatherings or those who want to try the brisket method on different cuts of beef. We’ve included brisket-style tri-tip, smoked chuck roast, and plate short ribs, and “brisket on a stick, ” to this section of our Pitmaster’s brisket handbook. Let’s not forget those brisket burnt ends! They make a great appetizer and are perfect for using up the brisket point.
Smoked Texas Beef Ribs (Brisket on a Stick)
Smoked Texas Beef Ribs (aka,”Brisket on a Stick”) are known for being tender, beefy, and mouthwatering. These flavorful ribs are seasoned with SPG and pack a generous helping of meat per bone.
Smoked Chuck Roast
When it comes to barbecued beef, smoked brisket is king. Except, beef chuck roast is a fantastic substitute. It is great for a smaller crowd, and can be a budget-friendly alternative. There is no denying that beef chuck becomes literal gold when cooked low and slow. Look at that smoke ring!
Tri-Tip Brisket Style
Yes, you can smoke a tri-tip just as you would a brisket. The only difference is that tri-tip can be a budget-friendly option, cooks in less time, and yields a smaller amount of meat. This is a great option for small gatherings, or casual weekend cookouts without all the commitment.
Smoked Brisket Burnt Ends
For this recipe, we are starting from scratch with a raw brisket point, rather than using the point off of a pre-cooked brisket. Unlike other recipes that carve the pieces up and then smoke the individually, we like to do it the traditional way of keeping the point in tact. Brisket burnt ends are great for small groups and makes a tasty appetizer.
Pork Brisket
Smoked pork brisket was first popularized in Kansas City, then moved into Nashville, where the Smoked Pigsket (a smoked pork brisket) has made a lasting impression. This cut of pork has popped up all over the country but remains popular among the barbecue community.
