Maple-Smoked Brisket with Coffee Rub

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender brisket smoked over maple wood and seasoned with a bold coffee and spice rub, delivering complex smoky and earthy flavors. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 630 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 520 calories and feeds 10, 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: 30 min Cook: 600 min Serves 10 American cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp ground coffee, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp onion powder to make a dry rub.
  2. Step 2: Trim excess fat from the 5 lb beef brisket and apply the coffee rub evenly on all sides, pressing gently to adhere.
  3. Step 3: Preheat your smoker to 225°F and soak 3 cups of maple wood chips in water for 30 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Place the brisket fat side up on the smoker grate, add the soaked maple wood chips to the smoker box, and smoke for about 8-10 hours until the internal temperature reaches 195°F.
  5. Step 5: After 6 hours, spray the brisket every hour with 1 cup beef broth to maintain moisture and develop a rich bark.
  6. Step 6: Remove the brisket from the smoker and wrap tightly in foil or butcher paper. Let rest for 1 hour before slicing thinly against the grain to serve.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Maple-Smoked Brisket with Coffee Rub take to make?

Total time is about 630 minutes (30 min prep + 600 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 Maple-Smoked Brisket with Coffee Rub?

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 Maple-Smoked Brisket with Coffee Rub?

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 Maple-Smoked Brisket with Coffee Rub for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 10 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 10). 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 Maple-Smoked Brisket with Coffee Rub?

American bbq & smoked 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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