To have that perfect smoked, cooked brisket you always admire and enjoy eating, you will need to put a few things in perspective.
The first and most important is when to season the beef.
Some people are known to marinade it a few hours before sending it to the grill, while a majority are known to season brisket the night before.
Chefs will tell you that the longer it sits, the more moist and juicy it becomes.
What is Beef Brisket?
Before we move further, we need to understand what part of meat we are addressing here.
A cow has several prime cuts, and the brisket is a cut from the lower chest or breast of a cow.
In some forums, it is normally referred to as beef brisket.
One notable factor is that it is a connecting tissue, making it a little difficult to cook and requiring a long cooking time.
It’s only slow cooking that helps break down the connecting tissues.
People love the cut as it comes with a chunky portion of beef, sometimes known as packer brisket. The goodness with the packer cut is that you can cut it into your desired pieces.
Beef brisket comes in two cuts, namely flat and or point.
These are what make a packer brisket. These, when cooked, are known to be tender with a lot of flavors.
When trimming the meat, you should do so when you bring it in from the butcher or the fridge; it cuts easily when still cold. Brisket portions come with a layer of fat.
Apart from the layer of fat, some white streaks are the best cut.
Do not over-trim your cut, as doing so will remove all the fats and make it dry.
Trim the brisket uniformly for best-even results during grilling.
Never be in a hurry if you want a perfect and delicious, moist, and seasoned flavor.
Why You Need to Season Brisket Overnight
The story of the brisket is quite interesting.
It has been associated with the Jews who found their way into the United States and settled in Texas.
To this day, it is one Texan meal loved by many.
Indeed, history tells us that this is where the whole seasoning began.
Jews, apart from settling in the United States, later learned that they carried their cuisines with them.
While seasoning, they use salt and black pepper.
Back to our question, there are several different ways the seasoning is done, but one thing is for sure overnight-seasoned recipes remain the most preferred.
The beef must stand for a few hours before heading to the grill.
The untold secret we can learn is that when salt is rubbed during the seasoning, it awakens the natural flavor.
While simultaneously penetrating the meat, giving it a uniform flavor.
Not only does the salt awaken the taste, it also pulls the other seasoning with it.
You can tell this when you see the whole brisket begin to sweat.
You must ensure that salt does not settle at the bottom by rubbing it accordingly.
When is the Best Time to Apply the Rub?
One of the biggest mistakes people make with the spice rub is overdoing it.
The spices should not override the beef flavor.
Spices should not override the beef flavor. Try to retain the flavor at all costs.
For those who prefer their briskets spicy, go for it. There is no limit to the amount of rub and spices one intends to use.
People have been made to think that the brisket rub can be complicated.
No! The process is quite easy and can be done by anyone desiring to do so.
Doesn’t it sound like something you can do?
Ensure that you have your ingredients to avoid wasting time during the rub. There is no shortcut to the process.
When cooking the whole brisket portion, remember that it is not a small piece of meat.
Be generous with the spice rub and spread it evenly before sending it to the fridge.
For those who want to enjoy the beef flavor, the first rub should do, but a double rub for those who opt for the spicy flavor, a double rub will do wonders.
Are you adventurous and yearning for something spicy?
Try some of the following cayenne pepper, brown sugar, onion, and garlic powder.
For your information, there are two kinds of rubs, dry and wet.
These differ greatly, as their names suggest, but they still offer incredible results when the marinade is done awaiting smoking brisket.
The rule of thumb is that upon using bbq rub, refrigerate for up to 24 hours before the barbecue. Before grilling, ensure to clean out and rub the grill with oil.
How to Process the Grill
Cooking brisket can be tricky for most people. But this should not be as should place the fat side closest to the fire.
It will help the heat burn it evenly while allowing the fat to insulate the remaining portions.
Upon turning brown, turn the meat to the other side while maintaining the heat.
Remove upon attaining the required browning.
Upon removing the seasoned brisket from the fridge, let it stand for about one hour, then remove the plastic wrap before grilling it.
Grilling takes time and should be done with a lot of patience.
What is the Best Way to Cook a Brisket?
Smoked brisket has one unique taste you can never miss: the smoked flavor. This comes from smoked wood chips.
The beef can be grilled or cooked in an oven. The oven, interestingly, will not give you the smoked flavor you have long desired to have.
If grilling, set your grill at 200 – 230 degrees and cook between 6 and 12 hours, depending on the pounds. Add wood chips and turn the grill on.
With internal temperature, cover the meat with either a foil pepper or a butcher wrap at 165 to 170. Then add more chips and continue cooking.
This process will help keep the cooked brisket moist while at the same time retaining all the flavors within. The meat, when cooked right, is magnificent.
Use the meat thermometer to know when the meat is ready and tender. For best results, keep on checking on the process.
Some people prefer using brown sugar for a better overall color. The sugar, if not checked, can cause the ends to burn.
Conclusion:
Those making this for the first time.
You need to understand that this is one type of food that doesn’t require much and can be made by literally anyone.
All you will need is a little patience.
Slicing is best before serving the meat to avoid it drying out. You can serve the dish according to your preference.
You can choose macaroni, rice, cornbread, or roast potatoes to serve this incredible meal.
A side dish of your choice will be right.
Now that we have the hang of it, it is now upon you to choose to enjoy the brisket moist and your convenience.
You now know that you should season brisket the night before for the best results.
