Salt Lick Brisket Recipes

SMOKED BRISKET RECIPE

Steps:

• Combine the Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper in a small bowl or spice shaker, then evenly season the brisket on all sides. Let the brisket sit out at room temperature for 1 hour.
• While the brisket comes to room temperature, prepare the smoker according to the manufacturer's instructions for indirect cooking with a water-filled drip pan in place. Bring the temperature between 250 and 275° F. Add 3 to 5 fist-size oak, mesquite or your favorite wood chunks for smoke.
• Place the brisket in the smoker with the thicker tip closest to the heat. Leave the lid closed for at least 3 hours. Cook for a total of 6 to 8 hours until dark brown bark is formed and the internal temperature reaches 165° F after the stall (when the temp stops rising for hours around 150° F).
• Remove the brisket from the smoker and tightly wrap it with uncoated butcher paper (or aluminum foil). Place it back in the smoker and continue cooking until the internal temperature of the flat (thinner side) reaches between 200 and 205° F, about 6 to 8 more hours.
• Carefully transfer the brisket (still wrapped in the butcher paper) to a cooler to rest for at least 1 and preferably 2 hours or until the internal temp drops to 140 to 145° F. You can line the cooler with a towel to further insulate the brisket if you prefer.
• Separate the point from the flat muscle. Slice against the grain (which is different for each muscle) into 1/4" slices just before serving. Enjoy!

SALT LICK BRISKET

Steps:

• Dry brisket with a clean cloth. Evenly spread the dry rub over the entire outside of the brisket. Rub in lightly and dust off any excess. Start a fire in your grill using oak, other hard woods, or oak charcoal. Do not use mesquite in any form. Once the fire has reached the stage where you can hold your hand about 1-inch over the grill to a count of 4, place the brisket fat side down above the coals. Leave for 5 to 10 minutes or until caramelization begins. Turn brisket over and repeat process. Remove from fire. The purpose of this procedure is to set the spices into the meat so that they will not wash off during the cooking process.
• Place the brisket on an open grill away from the coals and maintain a temperature to where you can hold your hand over it to a count of 12 or place in a closed smoker away from the coals at a temperature of 210 degrees F. Cook for 14 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F.
• During the cooking process, turn and baste the brisket with Salt Lick BBQ sauce often (at least 4 times). If not using Salt Lick BBQ sauce, make sure your sauce has no tomatoes in it, as they will burn and leave a bitter taste. When turning the brisket, try not to use a barbecue fork. If you do, only insert it at the edges. Poking the center will cause the juices to run out and make the brisket dry.