How Long To Smoke A Brisket? (Suggested Time By Experts )

Brisket is the holy grail of BBQ, and mastering it is a tremendous accomplishment. While there are numerous ways to flavor a brisket, grilling it properly leaves less space for experimentation or error. Brisket is a muscular, tough piece of meat, so cook it low and slow. A smoked brisket cooked properly on a Traeger is soft, juicy, and delicious.

We’re here to inform you that’s not true: you can smoke brisket at home, and it doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming! In fact, smoking your own brisket is one of the most fulfilling meals you can prepare for a BBQ party or a fun weekend dinner.

That’s why we asked some of our favorite barbecue gurus how long to smoke a brisket for, so your next BBQ is flawless! Let’s see what the experts say in today’s article.

How Long To Smoke A Brisket?

It depends on how thick it is and what else you put in the smoker. Thicker pieces of meat take longer to smoke because they have more surface area, which means they emit less smoke into the air and hence take longer to cook.

It takes 1 hour per pound of meat if you have a slab. If you’re cooking a roast or a smaller piece of meat, it takes 1 hour per pound plus 15 minutes each inch of thickness.

How Long To Smoke Brisket Per Pound?

Brisket Cook Time Per Pound:

Brisket is a popular beef cut that is both rough and tasty. It’s also difficult to cook because its size and form make it difficult to maintain a steady temperature when cooking. It’s extremely simple to prepare, so you’ll have it on the table in no time. To make brisket tender, set the temperature at 225 degrees F for 1 to 2 hours per pound.

What Temp To Smoke A Brisket?

225 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal brisket smoking temp. The internal temperature should be 160 degrees Fahrenheit, but the actual temperature will vary depending on how your smoker is configured.

How To Shorten the Cooking Time of the Brisket?

If you’re looking to shorten the cooking time of your brisket, there are a few ways to do it. First and foremost, increasing the temperature. The higher the temperature, the faster your meat will cook. However, keep in mind that if you’re cooking a large batch of food, you may need to turn off or lower your oven temperature.

Also, you can use a dry rub and apply it to your brisket before you put it in the smoker. This will help keep the meat from sticking to the grill or smoker grate.

Another way to shorten your brisket’s cooking time is with the Texas Crutch Method. This method involves using an aluminum foil pan with holes poked into it so that it won’t conduct heat as well (this is called a crutch). You’ll want to use this with a grill or smoker—not in an oven—and place your brisket on top of this crutch to avoid sticking too much while smoking.

Use a long-handled fork or spatula to turn and move the meat around, so it cooks evenly throughout its surface area.

Finally, finish up your brisket in the oven once it’s done smoking! You can either bake it whole without any fat on top, slice up some fat, and place some on top before baking at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 hours until tender enough for serving.

How Do You Smoke A Brisket?

There’s nothing quite like smoked brisket. The succulent, juicy meat, infused with the flavor of wood smoke, is a favorite of barbecue lovers around the world.

If you’re new to smoking meats, brisket is a great place to start. While it does take some time to smoke a brisket properly, the process is relatively simple and the results are well worth the effort.

Best Way To Smoke A Brisket:

Here’s a step-by-step guide to smoking a brisket that will turn out tender, juicy, and full of flavor.

1. Choose the right brisket

When it comes to brisket, bigger is not necessarily better. A smaller brisket will be easier to manage and will cook more evenly than a larger one. When looking for brisket, aim for one that is between 4 and 8 pounds. This size is ideal for most cooking methods and will ensure that your brisket is juicy and flavorful.

2. Trim the fat

After choosing now it’s time to prepare brisket for smoking. A layer of fat on the brisket helps to keep the meat moist during cooking. However, you don’t want too much fat, as it can make the brisket greasy. Trim the fat so that there is about 1/4-inch of fat remaining on the surface of the meat.

3. Season the brisket

Season the brisket generously with salt and pepper. If you like, you can also add other seasonings, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or a spice rub.

4. Preheat the smoker

Set the smoker to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re using a charcoal smoker, you’ll need to add wood chips or chunks to the coals to generate smoke.

5. Smoke the brisket

Place the brisket in the smoker and Smoke for about 1 hour per pound, or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 190 degrees Fahrenheit.

6. Wrap the brisket

Once the brisket has reached the desired temperature, remove it from the smoker and wrap it tightly in foil.

7. Finish cooking the brisket

Place the wrapped brisket back in the smoker and continue cooking for another 2 to 3 hours, or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

8. Let the brisket rest

Let the brisket rest for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a juicier, more tender brisket.

How Long To Smoke A Beef Brisket?

You can smoke a beef brisket for about 30 minutes to 1 hour per pound, depending on the thickness of the meat. The thicker the meat, the longer it will take to get to your desired temperature. 

Suppose you’re using a smoker that holds temperatures below 200 degrees Fahrenheit. In that case, it’s best to use an internal temperature probe to check the temperature of your meat during smoking.

How Long To Smoke A Brisket Flat?

If you’re smoking a brisket flat, the average cooking time is 90 minutes per pound, so you’ll have to be careful not to overcook it. If your smoker holds 1.5 pounds of meat at once and uses a 6-pound flat, you’ll need almost 9 hours to smoke it.

How Long To Smoke A Brisket On A Pit Boss?

First, set the temperature of your grill to 225°F. Then, let it cook for 6-8 hours, or the internal temperature should reach 165°F.

During this time, keep an eye on the brisket as it cooks. It should be done when its internal temperature reaches between 150-160°F.

How Long To Smoke A Brisket On A Traeger?

When cooking a brisket on your Traeger grill, you want to ensure it’s cooked through. How long does a brisket take to cook?

According to Traeger, you should cook brisket at 225 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 6 hours or cook at 160 degrees Fahrenheit while the internal temperature increases.

How Long To Smoke A Brisket In An Electric Smoker?

The answer is about 75 minutes per pound at 225 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a general rule of thumb, but it’s easy to see why this is the case.

It all comes down to how much meat you’re cooking at once—more meat means more surface area to heat up and a longer time in the electric smoker.

How Long To Cook A Brisket In The Oven?

Cooking brisket in the oven takes as little as 1 hour and 15 minutes per pound at 180 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a great way to use leftover brisket and ensure it’s perfectly cooked.

The Verdict:

It’s no secret that brisket smoking is a technique that needs to be mastered if you want to grill the perfect brisket. It can be a long process, and with all the different variables that can affect the outcome, it’s no wonder that many people are left wondering how long to smoke a brisket. 

In this blog post, we tried to answer that question by discussing the factors that affect how long to smoke a brisket and what the experts recommend. We hope you enjoy our guide.