How To Cook a Brisket on A Charcoal Grill?[8 Easy Steps]

Delighted for the Christmas dinner party but need to learn how to cook a brisket on a charcoal grill? Just stay here; I will share plenty of tips that I found useful to make your brisket tastiest and yummiest. So, let’s dive right in.

Briskets can be cooked in many ways, including baking, boiling, and roasting. Popular methods include rubbing with a spice rub or marinating the meat and then cooking slowly over indirect heat from charcoal or wood.

We will discuss step-by-step instructions to guide you through preparation and how to serve a special occasion. Keep reading this article to learn how exactly the charcoal grill works and the secrets of cooking mouth-watering brisket.

How To Cook a Brisket on A Charcoal Grill? – 8 Easy Steps

Brisket is a good cut of meat available from the lower chest of beef or the breast. It is an excellent source of protein. Let’s learn exactly how to cook a brisket on a charcoal grill for a delicious meal.

Step#1: Prepare the Beef Brisket

1. Before cooking, trim fat to 1/4-inch thickness. Then marinate the brisket overnight (12 to 24 hours).
2. Rinse the brisket with cold running water and dry it with paper towels.
3. Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl and rub all sides of the brisket.
4. If you have time, wrap the brisket in plastic wrap and let it cure in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or as long as overnight. Smoking the brisket right away is ok but sitting in the refrigerator for several hours helps the fragrant rub to penetrate the flesh.

Step#2: Prepare the Charcoal Grill

1. Preheat the grill to about 250°F.
2. To maintain this low temperature, begin by lighting only about 10 to 16 pieces of charcoal and set up the grill for an indirect Three-Zone Split-Fire. To do this, separate the coals into two equal piles on opposite sides of the grill grate.
3. Meanwhile, heat some water in the water pan. When the water is hot, place a stainless steel bowl or aluminium pan between the two piles of coals on each side of the bottom charcoal grate.
4. Pour the warm water, then put the cooking grate on. Close the grill with the lid and allow it to get to temperature.

Step#3: Smoking the Beef Brisket

1. When the grill is ready to cook, remove the lid and place the brisket on the hot grate over the drip pan.
2. Bring the temperature up to 225°F, using the vents to regulate the temperature.
3. You will need to add fresh coals and more wood chunks to each side of the grill every hour for at least the first 4 hours.

Step#4: Low and Slow

1. Check the grill’s temperature every hour, staying as close to 225°F as possible.
2. Resist the temptation to open the lid unless you add more charcoal or soaked wood chips to maintain temperature and smoke.

Step#5: Test for Doneness

1. Smoke the brisket until a dark “bark” (outside crust) forms, and the internal temperature of the meat is about 190°F, about 5 hours;
2. Monitor the probe thermometer and use an instant-read thermometer to help check for doneness.
3. The ideal temperature of a properly smoked brisket is 190°F.
4. It is important to keep in mind that the brisket’s internal temperature can increase by 10 degrees even after it has been removed from the grill.
5. If the internal temperature is 190°F when you take it off the grill, it may rise to the best 200°F; any hotter than that could overcook your brisket, which results in dry, chewy meat, no thank you!

Step#6: Holding the Brisket

1. Take the brisket off the grill and wrap it tightly inside some heavy-duty aluminium foil for at least 1 hour.
2. Holding helps tenderize by allowing carryover cooking which helps melt tough connective tissue.

Step#7: Slicing the Beef Brisket

1. Slicing a brisket is a bit challenging because there are two muscles, and the grain flows in different directions. Brisket is easier to chew if you cut it across to the grain. Cut with the grain, and it can be stringy and chewy.
2. Wait to slice the brisket until the last possible minute. Once the brisket is cut, it dries out quickly. When ready, turn the meat fat side up, so the juices run onto the meat as you slice.

Step#8: Serving

Perfectly cooked meat should be moist and juicy. You can serve it sliced on a plate or as a sandwich. If you wish, drizzle some sauce to make it more delicious.

How To Cook a Brisket on Weber Charcoal Grill?

Now that we have a brief overview of how to cook a brisket on a charcoal grill let’s also discuss the weber charcoal grill.

First of all, remember to trim your beef brisket. Rub your brisket with salt, brown sugar, black pepper, and paprika. Make sure that your meat is within the flame. This indirect cooking method may be slow, but it’s the only way to make a perfectly smoked brisket.

1. Create A Semi-Circle of Charcoal:

Begin with placing a single line of the pieces of charcoal along the inner wall of your backyard charcoal grill. However, you want to avoid completing the circle. So, stop when you’ve formed a sort of semi-circle.

2. Add in The Second Layer:

Proceed by stacking more unlit briquettes on top of the existing semi-circle of unlit coal. You can leave it at two layers, but we usually prefer three.

3. Use the Charcoal Chimney Starter:

After that, light around five to ten briquettes in the charcoal basket of your chimney starter. Then dump the hot charcoal at one end of your semi-circle or ‘snake’ and slowly watch as all of them begin to light up.

However, before you set a flame to the curved line of charcoal, you’ll want to place your water pan or tray in the middle. The incomplete ring of coal should sit around your disposable aluminium tray.

4. Rub the brisket:

You are waiting for your charcoal to heat; you can make your rub and apply it to the brisket.

5. Add Liquid to The Pan:

After 10 -15 minutes, your grill should go to go. Place a drip pan over the coals. Add some liquid to the water pan you placed in step 3.

6. Place Brisket on The Grill:

Now place your brisket on the grates over the top of the water pan. Add some liquid to the water pan. Then place the lid on and open the top vents.

7. Watch the Internal Temperature:

Use a temperature probe to monitor the internal temperature. Once it reaches 204°F, pull the brisket from the grill and cover it. Let it rest for at least 1-2 hours.

FAQs: How to Cook a Brisket on A Charcoal Grill?

Final Words:

After reading this complete guide about how to cook a brisket on a charcoal grill, you will have got a good idea of how to use a charcoal grill for cooking delicious brisket.

First of all, trim, rinse, and marinade the brisket. Then preheat the charcoal grill to about 250°F. Smoke the brisket at 225°F to hance the flavours. Serve the brisket with BBQ sauce and enjoy the delicious taste.

This article has answered all your queries. Follow the directions as they are written, and your brisket will appear perfect. Do share your amazing results with us. Still, I am just a message away if you have any queries.