Ultimate Texas BBQ Brisket
Experience the rich, smoky flavors of traditional Texas barbecue with this Ultimate Texas BBQ Brisket recipe. This tender, melt-in-your-mouth brisket is seasoned with a homemade dry rub, slow-cooked over mesquite wood chips, and finished with a savory mop sauce that infuses every bite. Perfect for family gatherings, this dish is bound to impress your guests and leave them craving more. Serve it sliced with your favorite barbecue sides for an authentic Texan experience!
10
Servings
350
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
Whole beef brisket, trimmed
9-10 lb (trimmed)
Bacon
5 slices (minced)
Onion
1 cup (minced)
Beef broth
1.5 cups
Vegetable oil
1/4 cup
Lemon
1/2 (quartered)
Fresh thyme
2 tablespoons (chopped (or substitute with 1 teaspoon dried thyme))
Salt
1/2 teaspoon
Fresh ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon
Seasoning salt
2 tablespoons
Cracked black peppercorns
1 tablespoon
Cracked white peppercorns
1 tablespoon ((substitute with ground white pepper if needed))
Garlic powder
1 tablespoon
Onion powder
1 tablespoon
Paprika
1 tablespoon
Sugar
1 tablespoon
Distilled white vinegar
1 tablespoon
Charcoal briquettes
10 lbs
Mesquite wood chips
4 cups (soaked in water)
Instructions
1
Prepare your grill for indirect cooking by soaking the mesquite wood chips in water for at least 30 minutes.
2
In a medium skillet, cook the minced bacon over medium heat until translucent, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the minced onion and continue to cook until lightly browned, approximately 5 minutes.
3
Transfer the cooked bacon and onions to a medium saucepan. Add the beef broth, vegetable oil, quartered lemon, chopped fresh thyme (or dried thyme), salt, and fresh ground pepper. Simmer the mixture over low heat for 15 minutes to meld the flavors, then set aside.
4
While the mop sauce is simmering, prepare the dry rub by combining all listed dry rub ingredients in a bowl. Thoroughly coat the entire surface of the brisket with the dry rub. Once coated, sprinkle the brisket with sugar and drizzle the vinegar over it.
5
Once the grill coals have turned white and ashed over, add the soaked wood chips for smoking. When the wood chips begin to smoke, close the grill vents halfway. Place a small pan filled with water on one side of the grill to maintain moisture.
6
Position the brisket on the grill directly over the drip pan. Cook the brisket covered for 2 hours, turning it halfway through cooking. After 2 hours, continue cooking for an additional 2 hours, basting with the mop sauce every 30 minutes and turning as needed.
7
After the brisket has been on the grill for a total of 4 hours, preheat your oven to 250°F. Wrap the cooked brisket tightly in heavy-duty foil and place it in a roasting pan in the oven. Bake for an additional 6 hours or until the brisket is tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.
8
Once cooked, let the brisket rest for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Carve against the grain into thin slices to serve.
Nutrition Information
22g
Fat
7.5g
Carbs
34g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main cut of meat used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for a whole beef brisket, trimmed, weighing approximately 9 to 10 pounds.
How many servings does the Ultimate Texas BBQ Brisket provide?
This recipe is designed to serve 10 people.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 350 calories.
What type of wood chips should be used for smoking?
Mesquite wood chips are recommended to provide the traditional Texas smoky flavor.
How long should the wood chips be soaked before use?
The mesquite wood chips should be soaked in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling.
What ingredients are used for the mop sauce?
The mop sauce includes minced bacon, onion, beef broth, vegetable oil, lemon, fresh thyme, salt, and fresh ground pepper.
How should the grill be prepared for cooking?
The grill should be set up for indirect cooking once the charcoal briquettes have ashed over.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 250 degrees Fahrenheit for the slow-cooking phase.
How long does the brisket need to cook in the oven?
The brisket should be baked in the oven for an additional 6 hours after the initial grilling.
How long is the total grilling time?
The brisket is grilled for a total of 4 hours before being moved to the oven.
How often should the brisket be basted?
During the second 2-hour period of grilling, you should baste the brisket with the mop sauce every 30 minutes.
Why is a water pan used on the grill?
A pan filled with water is placed on the grill to help maintain moisture during the smoking process.
What components make up the dry rub?
The dry rub consists of seasoning salt, cracked black peppercorns, cracked white peppercorns, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
What is the correct way to slice the finished brisket?
The brisket should be carved against the grain into thin slices for maximum tenderness.
How long must the meat rest after cooking?
It is important to let the brisket rest for at least 30 minutes before you begin slicing.
Is sugar added to the brisket?
Yes, one tablespoon of sugar is sprinkled over the brisket after the dry rub has been applied.
What can I use if I do not have fresh thyme?
You can substitute 2 tablespoons of fresh thyme with 1 teaspoon of dried thyme.
What is the total fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 22 grams of fat.
How much protein is in one serving?
There are 34 grams of protein per serving.
What is the carbohydrate content?
Each serving has 7.5 grams of carbohydrates.
How many total ingredients are required?
The recipe requires 19 different ingredients, including the wood chips and charcoal.
What kind of vinegar is used in the preparation?
One tablespoon of distilled white vinegar is drizzled over the brisket before cooking.
How should the onion be prepared?
The onion should be finely minced before being cooked with the bacon for the mop sauce.
How much charcoal is needed for this recipe?
Approximately 10 pounds of charcoal briquettes are used for the grilling phase.
Does the brisket need to be covered in the oven?
Yes, the cooked brisket should be wrapped tightly in heavy-duty foil before being placed in the roasting pan.
How can I tell if the brisket is fully cooked?
The brisket is done when it is tender and can be easily pulled apart with a fork.
Is this recipe suitable for large gatherings?
Yes, it is tagged as party food and serves 10, making it ideal for family gatherings.
What are some suggested serving sides?
It is best served with your favorite traditional barbecue sides.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The very first step is preparing your grill for indirect cooking and soaking the wood chips.
Can I substitute the cracked white peppercorns?
Yes, you can substitute them with ground white pepper if needed.