Hickory-Smoked Beef Brisket with Sweet Potato Mash

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Slow-smoked beef brisket with a rich hickory aroma, paired with velvety sweet potato mash for a comforting Midwestern meal. This american-inspired beef ready in about 325 minutes pairs Beef brisket, Hickory wood chips, Salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 680 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 300 min Serves 6 American cuisine 680 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat the 3 lbs beef brisket dry. Rub 2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper evenly over all sides. Place on a wire rack.
  2. Step 2: Preheat smoker to 225°F (107°C). Add 4 oz hickory wood chips to the smoker box. Place brisket on rack and smoke for 5 hours, or until internal temperature reaches 195°F (90°C).
  3. Step 3: While brisket smokes, peel and dice 2 lbs sweet potatoes. Boil in salted water until fork-tender (20-25 minutes).
  4. Step 4: Drain potatoes and mash with 3 tbsp butter, 1/4 cup milk, and 2 tbsp chopped chives until smooth. Season with salt to taste.
  5. Step 5: Rest brisket for 30 minutes, then slice against the grain. Serve with sweet potato mash.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Hickory-Smoked Beef Brisket with Sweet Potato Mash take to make?

Total time is about 325 minutes (25 min prep + 300 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Hickory-Smoked Beef Brisket with Sweet Potato Mash?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep beef brisket from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Hickory-Smoked Beef Brisket with Sweet Potato Mash?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Hickory-Smoked Beef Brisket with Sweet Potato Mash for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Hickory-Smoked Beef Brisket with Sweet Potato Mash?

American beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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