Coffee Rub Brisket
On October 24, 2023 (Updated September 26, 2024)
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This coffee rub smoked brisket is the perfect marriage of rich meat and bold flavor. It’s everything you want in a good smoked brisket: intense, smoky flavor combined with a deep, earthy kick from the delicious coffee rub.
Coffee Rubbed Smoked Brisket
I love brisket. If given the chance, I’d eat brisket for dinner every day. A good, thick slice of fatty brisket may as well be a slice of heaven on earth. So shortly after developing the recipe for my coffee rub, I knew I had to create a recipe with it rubbed generously on a big ol’ hunk of brisket.
Making smoked brisket can be an intimidating venture, but I’m here to ensure it doesn’t have to be scary. By following my step-by-step process to prepare, smoke, and slice your brisket, you’ll be guaranteed to get that gorgeous dark bark and rich flavor every time. So fire up your pellet grill (My go-to grill for a good brisket is my Camp Chef SmokePro 36 SGX) and let’s get started.
Brisket Smoking Methods
My favorite way to cook brisket is Texas style. This brisket follows the same method used for my Texas style brisket. You can find my full detailed post on Texas Style Smoked Beef Brisket to get the ins and outs of smoking the perfect brisket. The method for smoking coffee rub brisket is the same, except we punch up the flavor with a good coffee rub instead of the basic salt and pepper prior to smoking.
The key ingredient that makes his brisket irresistible is my Homemade Coffee Rub. Brisket requires a low and slow cook, and this rub is the ideal seasoning to compliment the rich smokiness of the brisket.
How to Smoke Brisket
Smoking brisket is a slow process, but it is totally worth the wait. For those wanting to get it right the first time, I have a collection of awesome blog posts on smoking brisket linked below. Here’s a quick rundown on how to smoke a brisket with my awesome coffee rub:
- Get the best cut of beef. Brisket 101 will help guide you through what cut to buy and why it’s important to know what to buy before you begin shopping.
- Trim your brisket. Trimming is essential to get your meat uniform for an even smoke. My post on How to Trim a Brisket walks you through the 5 steps to perfect trimming.
- Season and smoke. Once your brisket is trimmed and ready to cook, season all sides with the coffee rub and follow this guide on Texas Style Smoked Brisket. You’ll want a nice, long smoke on this meat, so grab a drink and be prepared for a full day of smoking.
- Wrap in peach butcher paper. On a large work surface, wrap your brisket in a big piece of butcher paper and return the wrapped brisket to the smoker.
- Rest, slice, and serve. Once your brisket is smoked to perfection (check out that amazing coffee-colored dark bark), allow it to rest, and slice against the grain. My tutorial on How to Slice a Brisket should help you get those cuts just right.
Tips for Smoking Coffee Rub Brisket
Brisket doesn’t have to be a difficult smoking venture. By following these tips, you’ll be a brisket master in no time.
- Patience is key. Smoking the perfect brisket takes time, and lots of it. Do not attempt to rush the process or open your smoker too often.
- Brisket grade matters. The grade of meat you purchase matters. The most common grades are Prime, Choice, and Select.
- Prime. The best briskets for smoking are prime, as they have the highest marbling which means a moist final product.
- Choice. Choice grades are not ideal for smoking. They can dry out in the low and slow temp in your smoker.
- Select. And finally, take a pass on Select. Without enough fat on this meat it turns tough like jerky, and you won’t be happy with the final product.
- Season liberally with the coffee rub. Brisket is a thick piece of meat, even after trimming you’ll still have a fat cap on the top. Make sure to press the rub into the meat with your hands so it doesn’t fall off when it gets to the smoker. Don’t be shy, and really work that rub in there.
- Choose the right wood. I prefer to smoke my brisket with oak; however, pecan is also an awesome choice. Both will not be overwhelming flavors with your brisket, and the oak compliments the coffee rub well.
More Brisket Recipes
Are you a beef fanatic like me? Hey Grill Hey has plenty of brisket and coffee inspired recipes to keep your palate satiated. Check out some of my favorites below.
Brisket:
- BBQ Brisket Burnt Ends
- Best Brisket Burnt Ends
- Brisket Chili
- Brisket Tacos
- Brusnwick Stew (with Brisket and Pulled Pork)
- Drunk Brisket with Bacon BBQ Sauce
- Guinness and Mushroom Braised Smoked Shredded Brisket
- Smoked Brisket Burger
- Smoked Brisket Ramen
Coffee:
Coffee Rub Smoked Brisket Recipe
Watch the video below and I’ll show you how I make this amazing brisket at home to share with family and friends. If you want more of a deep dive on brisket (and all your BBQ favorites) check out my courses at The Grill Squad. You can find more of my smoking and grilling recipe videos on YouTube, Instagram, or our Facebook Page. Follow along and let’s make awesome food together.
Coffee Rub Brisket
Video
Ingredients
- 1 12-14 pound whole packer brisket
Coffee Rub
- 2 Tablespoons coarse salt
- 2 Tablespoons instant coffee
- 2 Tablespoons garlic powder
- 2 Tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1 Tablespoon pepper
- 1 Tablespoon crushed coriander
- 1 Tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
Instructions
- Trim brisket. Store your brisket in the refrigerator until you are ready to start trimming. Cold briskets are much easier to work with. Flip your brisket over so the point end is underneath. Remove any silver skin or excess fat from the flat muscle. Trim down the large crescent moon shaped fat section until it is a smooth transition between the point and the flat. Trim and excessive or loose meat and fat from the point. Square the edges and ends of the flat. Flip the brisket over and trim the top fat cap to about 1/4 of an inch thickness across the surface of the brisket.1 12-14 pound whole packer brisket
- Mix rub. In a mixing bowl or empty spice container, mix the ingredients for the coffee rub. Spread over the brisket to evenly distribute the rub on all sides.2 Tablespoons coarse salt, 2 Tablespoons instant coffee, 2 Tablespoons garlic powder, 2 Tablespoons smoked paprika, 1 Tablespoon pepper, 1 Tablespoon crushed coriander, 1 Tablespoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
- First smoke. Preheat your smoker to 225 degrees F using indirect heat and hardwood smoke. Place the brisket on the smoker with the point end facing your main heat source. This is a thicker part of the brisket and it can handle the additional heat. Close the lid and smoke until and internal thermometer reads 165 degrees F (usually takes around 8 hours).
- Wrap. On a large work surface, roll out a big piece of butcher paper (or foil) and center your brisket in the middle. Wrap the brisket by folding edge over edge, creating a leak proof seal all the way around. Return the wrapped brisket to the smoker, seam side down so the weight from the brisket crimps the edges of the paper wrap down tight.
- Second smoke. Close the lid on the smoker and, maintaining 225 degrees F, continue cooking until the internal temperature of the brisket reaches 202 degrees F in the thickest part of the meat (takes anywhere from 5-8 hours).
- Rest. Remove the brisket to a large cutting board and allow to rest for 1 hour before slicing. Slice both the point and the flat against the grain with a sharp knife and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Absolutely phenomenal rub. Made it for my husband’s Masonic Lodge last year and they loved it so much they asked for it again. It’s turned into a yearly June BBQ dinner.
Worked great! I butchered a bull three weeks ago (Dexter) so smaller. Usually processed to all burger (99%) with a bunch of tallow. I had the locker save the brisket. Fairly lean since grass fed. It was 7 lbs. followed the trim(very little lol), prep (used mustard/Mayo binder for rub above. Followed time and temp spit on. Only difference is I added an apple cider vinegar/Worcestershire/olive oil and raspberry balsamic vinegar mopping every 30-40 minutes. Beautiful smoke ring, slight chew and moist! Flavor was fantastic. You know, Hey Grill Hey, thank you and well done. Wish I could up load the picture. Thanks. Will be using this for the second brisket!
I am no expert with only about 10 cooks under my belt. I have always done full packers. I was only able to get a 8lb flat (choice) last night that I need to cook for tomorrow. (Guests of course on my first flat only cook) – gotta add the pressure right.
Anyway – up above your instructions say that a choice is not ideal for a slow cook.
Should I consider going hot and fast on this choice flat?
BTW – I have never done hot and fast either.
That flat should be just fine. Just make sure to watch your temperatures!
So I know the time to cook a brisket can vary because of different things. I’m at 9 hours and my 10lb. Brisket is done way before I thought it would be. Any recommendations on keeping it warm and moist for another few hours?
Wrap it in foil and a towel and put it in a cooler. It’ll stay perfectly warm up to 4 hours or so. An oven on the lowest temp works well also!
With that smaller brisket I’ve had really good success with leaving it wrapped in paper and then vacuum sealing it and dropping it in my sous vide at 145 (or probably anywhere 140-150 range). It will hold there for quite a while. I like to do this specifically for my brisket points that I plan to use primarily for slices.
So my wife picked up a 20 pound brisket. When she got home I saw it was choice!! I Was thinking I should add a loaf pan with water while smoking to keep from drying out. Do you think it’s necessary???
I don’t use water pans in my cooks. I’ve tried with and without and never really saw a difference. Also, there’s nothing wrong with a choice brisket. That’s what I cook way more often than any other grade.
Should I leave the rub on overnight before smoking the next day?
It’s totally up to you. I don’t find that it makes a difference.
Can you use freshly ground coffee
No. The reason I use instant is because of how it dissolves. Grounds won’t do that.
I’m doing a 10-14 pound prime brisket in a few weeks for a family gathering. Ordered and purchased from a local butcher. It is my plan to use your recipe for brisket and the burnt ends, however, my questions are following: for a good bark, I see that no sugar is used in your recipe, if you were to add sugar for bark and sweetness what sugar would you use and quantity?
More is better or is less more on coverage for brisket using your coffee rub quantities? This will be my fourth brisket in the past year, so my learning curve is still steep. Congratulations on your second place at BBq Brawl.
I skip the sugar and still get an amazing bark. If you did want to bring in some sugar, I recommend brown sugar. I would do equal parts salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and brown sugar. Using the coffee rub (or any rub on brisket) be generous and season evenly, but not too thick.
Can I use my Weber
Yes, you can! Look up some videos or other info on how to smoke on a Weber.
It looks amazing! I could almost smell it from my knitting room! I just baked a 2lb “block” of gyro meat that I mixed and seasoned this past weekend and was so proud. I can see I need to go to the butcher. 🙂