Slow-Smoked Beef Brisket with Applewood and Coffee Rub

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender beef brisket infused with smoky applewood flavor and a rich coffee-spiced crust, slow-cooked to perfection for a melt-in-your-mouth experience. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 560 minutes, pairs beef brisket, applewood chips, ground coffee for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 540 min Serves 8 American cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Combine 2 tbsp ground coffee, 2 tbsp paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp garlic powder, and 1 tbsp onion powder in a bowl to create the rub. Rub 2 tbsp olive oil evenly over the 5 lbs beef brisket, then coat it thoroughly with the spice mixture, pressing it into the meat.
  2. Step 2: Preheat your smoker to 225°F and add 2 cups of soaked applewood chips to the smoke box. Place the brisket fat side up on the smoker grate and smoke for about 6 hours, maintaining 225°F and replenishing chips as needed to keep a steady smoke.
  3. Step 3: After 6 hours, wrap the brisket tightly in aluminum foil and continue smoking for an additional 3 hours until the internal temperature reaches 205°F and the meat is tender when probed.
  4. Step 4: Remove the brisket from the smoker and let it rest in the foil for 1 hour to redistribute juices before slicing against the grain into 1/4-inch thick slices and serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Smoked Beef Brisket with Applewood and Coffee Rub take to make?

Total time is about 560 minutes (20 min prep + 540 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 Slow-Smoked Beef Brisket with Applewood and 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 Slow-Smoked Beef Brisket with Applewood and 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 Slow-Smoked Beef Brisket with Applewood and Coffee Rub for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 Slow-Smoked Beef Brisket with Applewood and 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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