Everyone Has a First Time: Brisket

[javamaven1]

Two weeks ago, I had my chance to try out my new smoker and I went with a brisket. I had a 9-pound piece, which I rubbed down with a few cloves of garlic, and let it sit overnight, then applied my spice rub (salt, black pepper, brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, coriander, and Chinese five-spice).

It took 12.5 hours, and I did have some problems at the start with the temperature getting too high with the smoker, but it just took a little time to figure out how to adjust the vents and get the temperature down.

I was still pretty pleased with the results, and I took it into work the next day with some caramelized onions with BBQ sauce and buns, and it was a huge hit.

I forgot to take pictures until the end of things, so I only got these two:

(Ignore the bag of Match Light in the background! That's for the other grill!)

I can't wait to do it again!

 

[peculiarmike]

Bet it was a hit! It looks good, nice smoke ring.

 

[chrish]

hay that doesnt look all to bad at all

well ya done a good job there man, looks moist and for a 12 hr cook it should be mostly tender, what was the meat temp when you pulled it off the smoker?

 

[photohap]

that looks very delicious..

 

[tonto1117]

Great job JavaMaven1

So what do you think you want to try next???

 

[javamaven1]

I think I'm trying out pulled pork this weekend, which reminds me, I need to call my butcher to order it today!

I'm having a party for about 20-25 people on 8/11, and I'm doing brisket & pulled pork (with fixin's like homemade sauce, coleslaw, etc), so these are all my test runs before the party. My cow-orkers are enjoying being my test subjects so far...

 

[brennan]

hey Maven, Where is your butcher? that may well be worth the drive to TO for custom cuts of meat! What are the prices like too?

 

[tonto1117]

Sounds good. If you happen to live near a "warehouse club" Sam's, Costco...ect, they usually carry a two pack of bone in Butts. Might save you a few dollars over the butcher. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

 

[brennan]

I already get most of my meats at Costco, the Sams Club here has sub par selection at best.

 

[ron50]

Nice job on that brisket and good luck on the butt, I have one in the smoker as we speak

 

[javamaven1]

I go to Jim's Market in West Hills--it's a nice little neighborhood market with an old-fashioned butcher's counter. They're pricey, but it's West Hills (it's an expensive neighborhood), too. Still, I can get custom cuts of meat, which is a good thing, and hard to find sometimes in Southern California.

And, tonto: I do have a Costco nearby, so I will check them out first tonight (I think I need to renew my membership, though), and hope they have pork butt. We also have a Vallarta Market with a butcher's counter, and although they specialize more in cuts of meat that fit with Mexican/South American cuisine. I don't know, I might get lucky, though.

 

[chris_harper]

looks like a nice brisket to me. my local grocery store that caters to mexican customers sells packer briskets.