High-Altitude Smoked Beef Brisket with Coffee Rub

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-07 · Updated 2026-05-07

Slow-smoked beef brisket infused with a bold coffee and spice rub, perfect for deep, smoky flavors that rise above the ordinary. This American-inspired high-protein recipe, ready in about 500 minutes, pairs beef brisket, ground coffee, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 8, 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.

Ingredients

• 4 lbs beef brisket
• 2 tbsp ground coffee
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp paprika
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup water

The instant-read thermometer we’d check this beef with → Best Instant-Read Thermometers for 2026: Fast, Accurate Picks Under $100

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, mix together 2 tbsp ground coffee, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp paprika, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp smoked paprika to create a coffee rub.
2. Step 2: Rub 2 tbsp olive oil evenly over the entire surface of the 4 lb beef brisket, then apply the coffee rub generously, pressing it into the meat to coat all sides.
3. Step 3: Preheat your smoker to 225°F (107°C). Place the brisket fat side up on the smoker grate and smoke for approximately 6-8 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 195°F (90°C), spritzing with 1 cup water every hour to maintain moisture.
4. Step 4: Once done, wrap the brisket tightly in foil and let it rest for 1 hour to allow the juices to redistribute, creating a tender, high-flavor crust.
5. Step 5: Slice against the grain into 1/4-inch-thick slices and serve with your favorite barbecue sides.