How To Smoke Texas Pitmaster Style Brisket
January 21, 2025
Cambridge, VA: Here are 3 things most people don’t know about smoking brisket:
- How To Use The Fat Cap
- Why Hot & Fast is Better
- The Best Way to Rest Brisket
I’ve been barbecuing since I needed a step stool to reach the smoker. I’m a third-generation pitmaster with over 55 years of experience. I may not have many talents. I don’t understand this world, and I will never understand women. But I do know my way around a pit.
My grandson also smokes food. He recently came out to the ranch with a few of his buddies. They asked me for some tips on smoking brisket. In the middle of my talk, they all pulled out their cell phones. I said, “Why in the h*ell did y’all ask me for advice if you’re just going to play on your phones when I talk?” My grandson said, “Pops, we’re not playing on our phones. We’re taking notes.” I figured if the advice was good enough to make kids take notes, then it might be good enough to share with you.
1. How to Use the Fat Cap
Don’t trim the brisket. Cook it fat cap down. Here is why: People smoke brisket with the fat cap up to let the fat render into the meat. However, I get better results with the fat cap down. It protects the brisket from heat, especially in offset smokers. This keeps the brisket moist. The fat can be trimmed after cooking. Cooking meat-side up also results in a better crust and bark. Additionally, for competitions, meat-side up gives a better smoke ring. The smoke ring is BS to me. It isn’t a true indicator of good brisket. However, it is a factor in competition. Cooking the fat cap down is a trick to achieve a better smoke ring for competition.
2. Why Hot & Fast is Better
I got nothing against low and slow. There is a time for it. I do it when I have some buddies over. We shoot the sh*t by the pit, share drinks, and make fun of each other. It’s about the experience. However, for competitions or gatherings, I prefer the hot and fast method. I cook anywhere between 250-275°F. This temperature effectively breaks down the brisket’s collagen. This makes the meat as tender as low and slow. Additionally, hot and fast enhances the Maillard reaction. This creates more flavor and a richer bark while saving time. I’ve had a gathering or two where I had to call an audible because the brisket wasn’t going to be ready. I avoid that with hot and fast. This method creates a juicy, delicious brisket while shaving hours off the time.
2. The Best Way to Rest Brisket
If I need to serve brisket the same day, I may use a cooler. However, I prefer cooking ahead and resting the brisket overnight in the fridge. The fridge enhances tenderness and moisture. It provides a controlled cooling environment that allows the juices to redistribute evenly. During smoking, juices move to the outer layers of the meat. Overnight rest in the fridge lets the fibers relax and reabsorb the juices. This process results in a more moist brisket with fewer dry spots, even in the flat.
How To Smoke Texas Style Brisket
1. Get a quality brisket from your local butcher or grocery store. The meat quality makes all the difference. If you can afford it, don’t cut corners on quality. Here are the USDA levels of brisket quality from best to worst:
- Prime
- Choice
- Select
As discussed earlier, I do not trim the brisket. I use all that fat to my advantage and trim it after the brisket is done. Cook time will depend on your equipment, weather, etc. Budget for about 1-1.5 hours of cook time per pound of meat.
2. Season the meat-side of the brisket. I use mustard as my binder. Salt and pepper are fine. If you want to add a complex, delicious flavor to your brisket, replace your salt with Bald Buck Seasoning.
3. Using indirect heat and mesquite wood, preheat your smoker to 250°F (you can go as high as 275°F if you prefer). Place the brisket on the smoker with the point end facing the main heat source. This thicker part of the brisket can handle more heat.
4. When the brisket stalls (typically in the 150s) or when it hits 165°F, wrap the brisket. I wrap it in butcher paper but foil works as well. Make sure the brisket is well wrapped and place it back in the smoker. If using butcher paper, place the brisket seam-side down. This prevents the brisket from possibly unwrapping.
5. Let the brisket smoke until it hits 195°F. If you need to serve the day of, let it rest for at least a couple of hours before serving. It is best if you can let it reach room temperature, place it in the refrigerator, and serve the following day. When you reheat, start hours before serving to give yourself time. Reheat the brisket at a low temperature, no more than 250°F.
Pro Tips:
- The Stall: The wrap is CRUCIAL when it comes to getting the brisket past the stall. If the stall happens, it’s usually in the 150s. Once you notice the stall, take the brisket out, wrap it, and put it back in. Don’t wait or it will take you significantly longer to smoke the brisket.
- Cut Against the Grain: Identify which way the grain is running on your brisket. Then slice against that. This is a basic tip, but you’d be surprised by how many people violate it. If you cut with the grain, your brisket will turn into beef bubble gum.
- Bald Buck Seasoning: This stuff is one of my best kept secrets. I use it as a salt for any food I smoke. It creates a flavor profile everyone loves but can’t quite put their finger on. Be sure not to go too heavy with stuff or your food will be too salty. There are a lot of YouTube reviews about this stuff but below is where I found out about it. You’re welcome.