Texas-Style Smoked Brisket

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-15 · Updated 2026-04-15

Tender, smoky beef brisket slow-cooked with a sweet-spicy rub and wood smoke for authentic Texas barbecue. This American-inspired grilling recipe, ready in about 510 minutes, pairs beef brisket (flat cut), brown sugar, smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

Ingredients

• 5 lbs beef brisket (flat cut)
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cup hickory wood chips

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: Combine 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp black pepper, and 2 tsp salt in a bowl to form a rub.
2. Step 2: Pat the 5 lbs beef brisket dry with paper towels, then rub the spice mixture evenly over all surfaces, pressing it into the meat.
3. Step 3: Place the brisket fat-side up in a smoker or oven-safe roasting pan, adding 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and 1/2 cup water to the pan to create moisture.
4. Step 4: Smoke at 225°F for 6-8 hours until the internal temperature reaches 195°F, adding 1 cup hickory wood chips every hour.
5. Step 5: Wrap tightly in foil, resting for 2 hours before slicing against the grain.