When it comes to smoking a brisket, the result of a good marinade is not only mouthwatering taste, but pull apart texture. We'll walk you through an easy, fool-proof way to marinate your brisket before smoking.
Why Marinate?
Marinating meat prior to smoking has a dual-purpose. A good marinade not only adds delicious flavor, it helps tenderize tougher cuts of meat by breaking down muscle tissue. Marinating meat will also help it retain moisture through the smoking process.
Preparing Your Brisket
Two good marinades for brisket are either pineapple juice or apple cider vinegar with a can of Coca-Cola for a hint of sweetness. For a 6 lb. brisket, use about 32 ounces of either liquid and a 12 oz. can of coke. It's ideal to let the brisket marinate for 12 hours on each side, for a total marinating time of of 24 hours. Once you're done marinating, you can add the rub of your choice and bring the brisket to room temperature before smoking. This typically takes about an hour for a 6 lb. brisket.
A good rule of thumb for smoking brisket is to set the temperature to 225° F and smoke for 1.25 hours per pound or until the internal temperature is 180° F. Always be sure to cook your brisket with the fat cap facing up. And, if you're using an electric smoker, you can ensure your brisket stays moist by mixing some the pineapple juice or apple cider vinegar with water in the drip pan.
Regardless if you choose to smoke your brisket in an electric, pellet, gas or charcoal grill, adding Midwest Smokehouse smoking pellets will infuse a deep, smokey flavor into your meat as it cooks. Hickory, Mesquite and Applewood Midwest Smokehouse flavors all pair nicely with this cut of meat and either marinade. Enjoy!
