Smoky Mesquite Beef Brisket with Zesty BBQ Sauce
Bring the authentic flavor of a barbecue into your home with this Smoky Mesquite Beef Brisket. Perfectly seasoned with a blend of spices, this tender brisket is slow-cooked with mesquite and apple wood chips in a stovetop smoker, infusing each slice with rich, smoky flavors. Paired with a vibrant homemade BBQ sauce that balances sweetness with tanginess, this dish is sure to impress family and friends. Ideal for gatherings, this recipe not only fills the belly but also warms the heart. Get ready for an unforgettable culinary experience straight from Cameron Cookware.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
23
Ingredients
Ingredients
Beef Brisket
4 lbs (trimmed)
Brown Sugar
2 tablespoons (none)
Kosher Salt
2 tablespoons (none)
Paprika
4 tablespoons (none)
Granulated Garlic
2 teaspoons (none)
Onion Powder
2 teaspoons (none)
Black Pepper
2 teaspoons (none)
Cayenne Pepper
2 teaspoons (none)
Cumin
2 teaspoons (none)
Mesquite Wood Chips
1 tablespoon (none)
Apple Wood Chips
1 tablespoon (none)
Vegetable Oil
½ tablespoon (none)
Chopped Yellow Onion
½ cup (chopped)
Chopped Garlic
1 teaspoon (chopped)
Ketchup
1 cup (none)
Dark Brown Sugar
2 tablespoons (none)
Molasses
1½ teaspoons (none)
Apple Cider Vinegar
2 tablespoons (none)
Lemon Juice
1 tablespoon (none)
Orange Juice
1 tablespoon (none)
Dry Mustard
1 tablespoon (none)
Worcestershire Sauce
1 tablespoon (none)
Hot Red Sauce
1 tablespoon (none)
Instructions
1
In a mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, kosher salt, paprika, granulated garlic, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cumin, mesquite wood chips, and apple wood chips to create the dry rub.
2
Generously rub the spice mixture all over the trimmed beef brisket, ensuring an even coating. Wrap the brisket tightly in plastic wrap and place it on a baking sheet for easier handling. Refrigerate for 6 to 8 hours, allowing the flavors to meld.
3
After marinating, take the brisket out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
4
Prepare your stovetop smoker by adding the mesquite and apple wood chips to the designated tray. Line the drip tray with foil for easier cleanup.
5
Preheat your stovetop and carefully place the smoker on the heat source. Smoke the brisket for 1.5 hours over medium to low heat.
6
While the brisket is smoking, preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C).
7
Once the smoking time is complete, remove the brisket from the smoker and transfer it to a covered roasting pan or wrap it tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil.
8
Bake the brisket in the preheated oven for 3 hours, or until it is fork-tender. After baking, remove the brisket from the oven and allow it to rest for at least 15 minutes before carving.
9
Slice the brisket against the grain into generous portions and serve with your homemade BBQ sauce for dipping.
10
To prepare the BBQ sauce, heat vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add chopped onions and cook until they're soft, about 4 minutes. Add the chopped garlic and cook for an additional minute, stirring frequently.
11
Incorporate the ketchup, dark brown sugar, molasses, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, orange juice, dry mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and hot red sauce into the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil.
12
Lower the heat and let it simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens; this should take about 15 to 20 minutes. Allow the sauce to cool slightly before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Smoky Mesquite Beef Brisket?
It is a tender beef brisket seasoned with a dry rub, smoked over mesquite and apple wood chips in a stovetop smoker, and finished in the oven with a zesty homemade BBQ sauce.
How much beef brisket does this recipe require?
This recipe requires 4 lbs of beef brisket, which should be trimmed before preparation.
How long should I marinate the brisket with the dry rub?
The brisket should be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerated for 6 to 8 hours to let the flavors meld.
What ingredients are in the brisket dry rub?
The dry rub consists of brown sugar, kosher salt, paprika, granulated garlic, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and cumin.
What types of wood chips are used for smoking?
The recipe uses a combination of mesquite wood chips and apple wood chips for a rich, smoky flavor.
How long do I smoke the brisket on the stovetop?
The brisket should be smoked for 1.5 hours over medium to low heat in the stovetop smoker.
What is the oven temperature for baking the brisket?
The oven should be preheated to 275°F (135°C) for the baking stage.
How long does the brisket need to bake in the oven?
After smoking, the brisket is baked for 3 hours, or until it becomes fork-tender.
How should the brisket be prepared for the oven?
Once smoking is complete, transfer the brisket to a covered roasting pan or wrap it tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil.
Why do I need to rest the brisket after cooking?
Resting the brisket for at least 15 minutes allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring the meat remains moist when sliced.
How should the brisket be sliced?
The brisket should be sliced against the grain into generous portions.
What are the main components of the Zesty BBQ Sauce?
The sauce includes ketchup, dark brown sugar, molasses, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, orange juice, dry mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and hot red sauce.
How do I start the BBQ sauce preparation?
Heat vegetable oil in a large saucepan and cook chopped yellow onions until soft, then add chopped garlic for one minute.
How long does the BBQ sauce need to simmer?
The BBQ sauce should simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes until it thickens.
How much paprika is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 4 tablespoons of paprika in the dry rub.
Can I use regular garlic instead of granulated garlic for the rub?
The recipe specifically lists granulated garlic for the rub to ensure an even coating during the marinating process.
What kind of oil should be used for the sauce?
The recipe recommends using 1/2 tablespoon of vegetable oil.
What kind of vinegar is in the BBQ sauce?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar for a tangy flavor.
Does the recipe use any citrus juices?
Yes, it uses 1 tablespoon each of lemon juice and orange juice in the BBQ sauce.
How much wood chips are needed for the smoker?
Use 1 tablespoon of mesquite wood chips and 1 tablespoon of apple wood chips.
Is there a specific way to clean the smoker easily?
Yes, lining the drip tray with foil before smoking helps with easier cleanup.
What should I do after removing the brisket from the refrigerator?
Let the brisket sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before you begin smoking it.
What makes the BBQ sauce 'zesty'?
The combination of dry mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and hot red sauce gives the BBQ sauce its zesty kick.
How many teaspoons of cumin are in the dry rub?
The dry rub includes 2 teaspoons of cumin.
What is the role of molasses in the sauce?
Molasses (1 1/2 teaspoons) provides a deep, rich sweetness and contributes to the thickness of the sauce.
How do you know when the BBQ sauce is finished cooking?
The sauce is ready when it has thickened after simmering for 15 to 20 minutes.
How much onion is used in the BBQ sauce?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of chopped yellow onion.
Should the BBQ sauce be served hot?
The recipe suggests allowing the sauce to cool slightly after simmering before serving.
Can I use white sugar for the rub?
The recipe specifically calls for brown sugar in the rub and dark brown sugar in the sauce for a more complex flavor.
What kind of salt is best for the brisket rub?
The recipe recommends 2 tablespoons of kosher salt for the dry rub.