When seasoning a brisket, using the right rub and technique will enhance the brisket’s beefy flavor and create a delicious crust.
Dry rub: This is an important step to enhance the flavor. You can use any rub available on the market or simply smear the brisket with a mix of salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can also follow the recipe provided below.
How to apply brisket rub
When applying your brisket, place your brisket in a large aluminum pan, Drip EZ tub or on a sheet pan or cutting board.
Pat your brisket dry with paper towels. Then, start by sprinkling the rub on the bottom side, which is where the layer of fat is. Hold your bottle or shaker up about 6-12 inches above the brisket and shake it in an even layer.
You want to cover your brisket to a point where you can barely see the whiteness of the fat.
Let that rub rest for 15-30 minutes. It will start to glisten.
Next, flip the brisket over and apply the same rub to the top and sides. Use the same technique. Keep adding it until you can barely see the meat.
My Award-Winning Brisket Rub
Personally, I like a hint of sweetness and heat to my brisket rub. And plenty of barbecue judges on the competition circuit do too.
My Brisket Rub has earned me multiple first place brisket wins. It includes a balance of salt, pepper, garlic with a light touch of chiles, cumin and sweetness.
In Texas, they don’t mess with their beef. The go-to rub is simply a blend of kosher salt and 16-mesh ground black pepper.
For Texas-style smoked brisket, combine these two in equal amounts in a shaker that has a lid to allow course grains to evenly flow through it.
In the world of barbecue, you’ll often hear people use the term SPG. This simply means salt, pepper, garlic.
This is also a very popular brisket rub. It starts with the Texas brisket rub foundation and adds granulated garlic or garlic powder. I use the Spiceology SPG on so many different proteins.
When people start to add sugar to their brisket rub, that’s when the Texans chime in to let you know that you’re doing it wrong.
But hey, if you like a little sweetness with your beef, go for it. This is your brisket, after all.
For a good sweet brisket rub, combine 1 part kosher salt, 1 part 16-mesh ground black pepper, 1/2 part sugar in the raw or pourable brown sugar and 1/4 part granulated garlic.
- Christie Vanover’s Brisket Rub: My award-winning rub was designed especially for beef brisket. It contains salt, pepper, garlic and a variety of chiles for added depth of flavor.
- SPG: SPG is a blend of kosher salt course-ground black pepper and granulated garlic.
- Blues Hog Bold & Beefy: This rub is an amped up SPG. It contains sugar for a touch of sweetness and yeast extract for more richness.
- MSG: Check the ingredients in your rubs, if they don’t contain MSG, you may want to add some to your brisket. It adds an extra layer of umami and savoriness. Use it very sparingly. You just need a light dusting.
EASY smoked brisket recipe to nail it your first time
FAQ
What is the best way to season a brisket?
How do you make brisket more flavorful?
Do you season both sides of a brisket?
How do you season a brisket?
Try using freshly ground pepper, as well. This also helps with the formation of the bark on the brisket. Knowing how to season a brisket is half of the secret of getting it perfectly done. You can try our seasoning mix or experiment with your own. Hopefully, you can curate a signature rub that will leave all your dining guests drooling in delight.
What is the healthier substitute of brisket?
Brisket is high in fat. Instead of brisket, lean meat like chicken, turkey and fish will be a good option for healthy lifestyle. Chicken is good source of protein and has very less fat. Omega-3-fatty acids are good for healthy heart, which we used to get from fish.
Should you salt brisket before cooking?
Salt It and Forget It Okay, maybe don’t totally forget about it, but a few days before you cook your brisket, heavily salt it, and store it tightly-wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge. This will tenderize and season the meat like a less fussy dry brine.
How do you cook a brisket?
Well cooking a brisket is a skill, and just like any skill, it takes practice and patience. 1. Consistent temps. 2. Good quality meat 3. A proper resting period 4. Good seasoning Pitmasters will test different temps, timing, and seasonings, but I have done the hard yards here! I’ve tried all different combinations of seasonings over the years.