Texas style brisket (A rant, an opinion, or some other kind of animal)

[JGW]

I haven't tried this in the OBS yet, so I'm speaking from a traditional smoker background....No reason it won't work in a BS though.

As some background, I grew up in San Antonio and Austin Texas.  Lockhart, Texas is between the two, and there are two BBQ joints (Blacks and Kreuz Market) there that are rated some of the best BBQ in the state (Trust me...If you are passing through venture off the highway to visit one or both).  Great places, (I prefer Blacks, myself, but....)  

Anyway....The secret to Texas style Brisket:

Smoke your Brisket with OAK!!, and NEVER serve your brisket with BBQ sauce on it - it's a condiment, and it's served on the side (if at all).  

I'm sure there are other Texans on this site who cook a darn good Brisket with Mesquite, but honestly....that stuff is generally used for Mexican foods.  I like it too, and have had many a Brisket cooked over it (some I did myself), but Oak gives a much better flavor.  Hickory is a good choice too, but is a distant second to Oak.  Mesquite follows with a VERY distant 3rd, 4th, or 5th place.

After reading this again (cuz I can't spell fer sheet ;) ), this might seem a bold post in these parts from a newbie to the forums.  Only trying to save people from thinking Texas Brisket is done with Mesquite :D  Like a Chupacabra - better heard of than seen.  (Damn them things is ugly).

Edit:  Forgot to add - choose your rub, but simple Salt and Pepper works great too.

[KyNola]

uh oh.   WTS?  ???

Gutsy call JGW.

Welcome to the forum JGW.  I'm sure you know you have most likely offended the mesquite god don't you?  ;)

KyNola

[westexasmoker]

uh oh.   WTS?  ???

Gutsy call JGW.

Welcome to the forum JGW.  I'm sure you know you have most likely offended the mesquite god don't you?  ;)

KyNola

Ouch....Naw, welcome to brisket nirvana!  I promise you in Texas, everyone has their own rub and wood to smoke with...this temp that temp!  The only key to any of these is LOW and SLOW..And you will get an amazing brisket!!   I total agree..no sauce, thats on the side!!   Welcome to the forum JGW!

C

[KyNola]

I'm thinking a brisket duel at 20 paces.  What do you say JGW?  You up for it?  How 'bout it WTS?  Ready to take on the young contender?  Here is what I propose.  You each smoke a brisket in your particular method and wood.  Post pics of the preparation, the smoking/cooking method and the finished product.  The winner will be all of us who still haven't perfected doing a brisket benefitting from your knowledge.

In the words of Bobby Flay...."Are you ready for a Texas style brisket throwdown?".

KyNola

[Wildcat]

 ;D I love it. Welcome to the forum JGW. I have to agree with you - oak is better. The M wood is great on steaks, but brisket is better with oak or pecan which is similiar. I have been to Blacks. I think I may have been to Kreuz - the name is familiar. My wife and I spent 2 weeks in the San Antonio area a couple of years back.

I do not smoke brisket often but when I do I rub with olive oil then apply salt, pepper, garlic and onion.

[mikecorn.1]

Welcome to the forum. Would love to see a Brisket throw down.  ;)

[OU812]

Welcome to the fun

I'm with you on the rub and wood for brisket

Now the brisket show down would fun to see

[squirtthecat]

Welcome aboard..

Ditto what the others said.   And I think there should be video, as well as the still pics.

[Hopefull Romantic]

Welcome aboard and I would love to see the outcome.

WTS take on the rookie and lets all have some fun.

HR

[KyNola]

JGW may be new to this forum but I sense he is far from being a rookie when it comes to Texas style brisket.  I think we have two experienced veterans that would be fun to see their similarities as well as their differences in style.

So what about it WTS and JGW, Are you ready for a Texas style Brisket Showdown?

KyNola

[westexasmoker]

Sign me up!

C

[KyNola]

Now we're talking!  In this corner weighing in a 15 pound brisket and wearing the mesquite smoke scented Bradley T Shirt..........W...T...S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

KyNola

[FLBentRider]

Leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeettttttttttttttttttttttsssssssssssssss Get Ready to Rumbllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[westexasmoker]

I guess I now know what I'm smoking this weekend!  ::)

C

[HawkeyeSmokes]

The reigning champion is ready! Now let's here from the challenger in the opposite corner.  ;D