Learn exactly how to smoke beef brisket on a Pit Boss pellet grill following our detailed instructions and recipe below!This is a great BBQ dish to feed a crowd, and especially easy to do on a Pit Boss!
½cupKosher Salt use more or less if needed depending on brisket size
2tablespoonSmoked Paprika
1tablespoonBlack pepper
1tablespoonGarlic Powder
1tablespoonOnion powder
Instructions
Prepare the Brisket
Trim any excess hard pieces of fat from the meat side of the brisket, as well as any fat along the edges.
Trim off any thin areas of the flat, rouning it out into a U-Shape and making sure the edges are all thicker than the width of a finger.
Trim the fat cap to allow more fat to render out to about ¼ inch of thickness.
Apply the Rub
Apply a thin layer of Worcestershire Sauce to the entire exterior of the brisket.
Mix the rub ingredients well and apply generously to the entire exterior.
Wrap in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 hours while you prepare the smoker to allow the rub to penetrate the meat.
Start the Pit Boss Pellet Grill
Add your chosen pellets to the hopper, start the Pit Boss pellet grill, and let it run through the start up cycle.
Set the temperature to preheat to 200°F.
Fill an aluminum pan with water pan if you want to add extra moisture, and place it on the far left side of the Pit Boss. You can also place it on the bottom grates and cook the brisket on the top rack above it if the brisket will fit. .
Smoke the Brisket
Remove the plastic wrap and place the brisket on the Pit Boss, with the fat cap DOWN, and the thicker end pointing to the left.
Place an internal temperature probe into the center of the brisket.
Close the lid, cook the brisket for about 3-4 hours, and then increase the temperature of the Pit Boss to 220°F.
Spray the brisket as needed to keep the edges from drying out with a combination of apple cider vinegar and water.
Continue to cook another 3-4 hours, or until the internal temperature has reached 135°F, and turn the temperature up to 240°F.
Turn the brisket over now so that the fat side is UP. Place the brisket on a wire rack over a foil lined baking sheet for extra protection of the meat side from below.
Wrapping
Once the bark is a dark color and gives to pressing like soft butter, rather than feeling like rubber, it's time to wrap. This will usually happen around the 170°F internal temperature mark.
Carefully remove the brisket and place on the end of 2 overlapping strips of wax-free butcher paper.
Wrap the brisket tightly around all sides.
Replace the temperature probe and place the brisket back on the Pit Boss, still on the wire rack backing sheet combo.
Turn the cooking temperature up to 270°F.
Resting
When the internal temperature of the brisket has reached about 205°F, and feels "probe tender", remove the brisket from the Pit Boss and keep wrapped.
Let the brisket rest o the counter for about 60 minutes until the internal temperature comes down to 170°F.
Then place the wrapped brisket in an oven set to WARM, or about 170°F, for 6-8 hours.
Remove the brisket form the oven, and keep wrapped on the counter until it comes down to 135-140°F internally.
Slicing and Serving
Unwrap the brisket and place on a large cutting board. Slice against the grain of the flat in about ¼ inch slices. Slice against the grain of the point as well and serve immediately.
Save extra brisket unsliced to retain the most moisture.
Slice the burnt ends into chunks if desired.
Video
Notes
One pound of raw brisket yields about ½ pound of cooked brisket. Plan around ½ pound of cooked brisket per person.