How long does it take to grill a brisket

You don't need a fancy smoker to make BBQ Brisket. Instead, use your grill to make classic BBQ Brisket and serve with your favorite sides like Southern Baked Mac & Cheese, Potato Salad, Broccoli Salad, and potato rolls. Before cooking, you'll infuse the meat with a savory-sweet dry rub. At least 20 minutes is recommended, but if you wanted to get that step out of the way (and amp up the flavor, too), you can refrigerate the dry-rubbed brisket uncovered for up to 24 hours.

The key to grilling BBQ Brisket is setting up two heat zones on the grill. You'll start by searing the brisket over a direct flame, which caramelizes the meat. Then, you'll move it to a burners-off cool zone, where the meat will slowly cook for another few hours. This mimics the temperature environment of a cold smoker and is the key to super tender brisket meat.

Hot tip! Don't throw out any juices that collect in the foil. They're infused with flavor and are perfect for stirring into your DIY BBQ sauce.

Got leftovers? Don't cut up the extra meat. Refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 3 days, and slice off one or two servings at a time to keep it juicy. 

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Yields: 8 - 12 serving(s)

Total Time: 4 hrs 30 mins

Ingredients

  • 1

    (3-lb.) flat cut brisket

  • 3 tbsp.

    onion powder, divided

  • 3 tbsp.

    garlic powder, divided

  • 3 tbsp.

    light brown sugar, divided

  • 3 tbsp.

    mustard powder, divided

  • 3 tbsp.

    chili powder, divided

  • Kosher salt

  • 1 c.

    ketchup

  • 1 tbsp.

    Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 tsp.

    apple cider vinegar

Directions

    1. Step 1Heat grill to 350º. Trim fat cap of brisket so there’s just a thin, even layer. 
    2. Step 2Combine 2 tablespoons each onion powder, garlic powder, sugar, mustard powder, chili powder, and 2 teaspoons salt in a small bowl. Rub evenly over the entire surface of the meat. Let sit at room temperature, uncovered, for 20 minutes.
    3. Step 3Place the brisket fat-cap-side down over a direct flame and cook until spices are browned, about 10 minutes. Flip and grill the other side for about another 10 minutes.
    4. Step 4Adjust grill heat to 250º. Move brisket to the grill's cool zone and close the lid. After 2 hours, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the meat. When it reads 180º, transfer the brisket to a large piece of foil and replace it on the grill. Crimp the edges up slightly so it will catch the juices from the meat as it finishes cooking.
    5. Step 5Close the grill and continue cooking until the meat reaches 200°, 45 minutes to 1 hour more. 
    6. Step 6Transfer to a cutting board and tent with aluminum foil. Let rest 30 minutes.
    7. Step 7In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, remaining tablespoon each onion powder, garlic powder, sugar, mustard powder, chili powder, the apple cider vinegar, and 1 teaspoon salt. Microwave until warm, about 1 minute. Stir in any juices that collected in the foil, if you like.
    8. Step 8Slice the meat against the grain and serve with the sauce.

This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

How long does it take to grill a brisket

How long does it take to grill a brisket

PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Advertisement

Ingredients

Directions

Instructions Checklist
  • Step 1

    To prepare brisket: Combine mustard, chile powder, cumin, oregano, 2 teaspoons granulated garlic, ginger, cayenne and salt in a small bowl. Trim all but 1/2-inch layer of fat from brisket. Place the brisket on a baking sheet and sprinkle all over with the spice mix. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

    Advertisement

  • Step 2

    When ready to cook, place wood chips in a medium bowl, cover with water and let soak for 30 minutes. If using a gas grill, loosely wrap all the soaked wood chips in foil with an opening at the top, and place them beneath the grill grates directly over the heat source before preheating.

  • Step 3

    Preheat half the grill on medium (or build a medium-heat fire on one side of a charcoal grill) and leave the other half unheated; preheat to 250°F. Combine apple juice and 2 tablespoons vinegar in a spray bottle. If using charcoal, drain the wood chips and add 1 cup to the charcoal.

  • Step 4

    Place the brisket, fat-side up, on the grates over indirect heat for 2 hours, spraying with the juice mixture every 30 minutes to moisten. Gradually add the remaining 1 cup wood chips to the charcoal to keep the smoke going.

  • Step 5
  • Step 6

    Wrap the brisket in foil and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until a fork meets no resistance when inserted and the internal temperature registers 195°F, 6 to 7 hours.

  • Step 7

    Remove the brisket from the oven and unwrap foil. Turn broiler to high. Broil the brisket, fat-side up, until the top is crisp, about 5 minutes. (Watch carefully so it does not burn.) Let rest on the baking sheet, covered with foil, for 45 minutes to 1 hour before carving.

  • Step 8

    Meanwhile, prepare sauce: Combine ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, granulated garlic, Worcestershire, salt and pepper in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for 5 minutes.

  • Step 9

    Transfer the brisket to a cutting board. Thinly slice against the grain. Serve with the sauce.

Tips

Derived from the cow's pectoral muscle, brisket is a large cut of meat, weighing up to 20 pounds. But most supermarkets sell it in smaller pieces. You'll often find it portioned in one of two ways: the fattier point-cut stays moist during the smoking process.

Many grocery stores carry wood chips for smoking, but try a hardware store for a bigger assortment. They're simply small, dried pieces of wood. Chips from fruit trees, like cherry, apple and pear, impart a mild smoky flavor ideal for delicate fish and chicken, while hickory, maple, oak and pecan have a stronger flavor best suited for more fatty cuts of meat.

To make this recipe kosher, substitute tamari or soy sauce for the Worcestershire sauce.

To make ahead

Refrigerate sauce (Step 8) for up to 1 week.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size:

3 oz. brisket & 1 Tbsp. sauce

Per Serving:

221 calories; fat 6g; cholesterol 92mg; sodium 467mg; carbohydrates 9g; dietary fiber 1g; protein 31g; sugars 7g; niacin equivalents 7mg; saturated fat 2g; vitamin a iu 262IU; vitamin b6 1mg; potassium 557mg.

How long does it take to cook a 4lb brisket on the grill?

Place brisket on the grill grate fat side down, and cook for approximately 6 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

How long does it take to grill an 8 lb brisket?

An 8-pound brisket should cook for 10 to 16 hours—sometimes a bit less if the smoker temperature is running high. Be sure to plan ahead so you can start checking the meat for doneness at around the 8-hour mark.

How long does a 5 lb brisket take to cook?

The time required to cook brisket on the grill is: 4-5 pounds: 3-4 hours. 7-8 pounds: 5-5½ hours. 10-12 pounds: 7-9 hours.

Can you just grill brisket?

Preheat the grill to around 225-250 degrees. Place the brisket over the part of the grill where the burner is off or very low. Cook at 225-250 degrees. Keep the lid closed and maintain the cooking temperature throughout.