Slow-Smoked Beef Brisket with Cherry Wood and Spiced Rub
Tender, juicy beef brisket slow-smoked over cherry wood with a robust blend of spices for deep smoky flavor and a crispy bark. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 620 minutes pairs pounds beef brisket, paprika, 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
- 5 pounds beef brisket
- 2 tbsp paprika
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp coarse salt
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 2 cups soaked cherry wood chips
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp coarse salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, and 1 tsp chili powder to create a spiced rub. Rub this mixture all over the entire surface of 5 pounds beef brisket, pressing it in firmly.
- Step 2: Prepare your smoker and preheat it to 225°F using cherry wood chips soaked in water for at least 30 minutes for a sweet, mild smoke flavor. Place a water pan inside the smoker and fill it with 1 cup apple cider vinegar and 1 cup water to maintain moisture.
- Step 3: Place the brisket fat side up on the smoker grate and smoke for approximately 8-10 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 195°F, spritzing the brisket every hour with a mix of apple cider vinegar and water to keep it moist and enhance the bark.
- Step 4: Once the brisket hits 195°F, remove it from the smoker and wrap it tightly in butcher paper. Let it rest for at least 1 hour before slicing thinly against the grain and serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Smoked Beef Brisket with Cherry Wood and Spiced Rub take to make?
Total time is about 620 minutes (20 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 Slow-Smoked Beef Brisket with Cherry Wood and Spiced 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 pounds beef brisket from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Smoked Beef Brisket with Cherry Wood and Spiced 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 Cherry Wood and Spiced 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 Cherry Wood and Spiced 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.
