How to Cook Brisket

Some cooks may avoid purchasing beef brisket because it tends to be one of the tougher beef cuts. However, if you know how to cook brisket correctly, it can make for a tender and tasty meal. This page is designed to help you cook a quality brisket that everyone in your family will love.

Beef brisket can be separated into three sections:the flat, the point, and the fat "cap". Although you can purchase brisket that has been separated into the flat and the point and has had the cap removed, most beef connoisseurs feel that a whole brisket slow-cooked yields the best flavor and texture. If you are smoking or barbecuing the brisket, the fat cap should be left on to keep the meat moist during cooking. When cooking the brisket indoors, you can remove most of the fat before cooking, but be sure to leave a small amount of fat so that the meat doesn't dry out.

Cooking a whole brisket may take some time, but you'll likely be pleased that you put in the effort. In most cases, brisket is cooked by smoking, baking or braising.

A brisket cooked on its own, if done correctly, will have a meaty, juicy taste. However, if you want to add additional taste, consider applying a savory rub to the brisket about half an hour before cooking it. To add both moisture and additional flavor, try marinading the beef for 12-24 hours before cooking it.

• Especially in the southern United States, smoking brisket using a meat smoker is the preferred method of cooking this cut of beef. If you have a meat smoker, cook it using the following directions:

1. Turn on your smoker and heat it to 225 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Cook the brisket for 1¹/₂ to 2 hours per pound

• You can obtain the same smoky brisket flavor by dousing your brisket in liquid smoke and barbecue sauce or spices before cooking it. When cooking the brisket in the oven, remove most of the fat cap from the meat before placing it in the oven. Then, wrap the brisket in aluminum foil and cook it in an oven heated to 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 30-45 minutes per pound. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the middle of the brisket has reached an internal temperature of at least 180 degrees.

• As is the case with most meat dishes, there are virtually hundreds of different brisket recipes. In addition to smoking and oven roasting, you can also cook brisket in a crock pot or slow-cooker, on the barbecue, or by braising it in its natural juices and then cooking it in the oven. Try out some of the recipes listed below or create your own to find your favorite brisket recipe.