Smoking a brisket takes time, patience, and skill. After hours of slow-smoking, the last step is almost as important – letting the brisket rest before slicing and serving. Properly resting the brisket allows the juices to reabsorb back into the meat. So how long should you let the brisket rest after smoking? The ideal rest time for a smoked brisket is 1-2 hours.
Why You Should Rest Brisket After Smoking
There are a few key reasons why resting is an essential part of the brisket smoking process:
- Allows the juices to redistribute – During the smoking process, the meat fibers tighten and the juices get squeezed out of the brisket. Resting gives the juices time to reabsorb back into the meat.
- Makes the brisket more tender – Resting allows the muscle fibers to relax and become more tender. This prevents the brisket from being dry or tough after slicing.
- Evens out the cooking – The interior of the brisket will still be slightly warmer than the exterior after removing from the smoker. Resting gives the temperature time to even out.
- Develops the flavor – Resting gives the brisket time for the smoky flavor to fully permeate throughout the meat. The flavor will become more condensed and pronounced.
- Makes slicing easier – A well rested brisket will firm up a bit after being removed from the smoker, making it easier to neatly slice and serve.
Neglecting the resting period can lead to dry, unevenly cooked meat or create a mess when trying to carve the brisket. Smoking a brisket takes too much time and effort not to rest it properly afterwards!
How Long Should You Rest Brisket After Smoking?
Most barbecue experts recommend resting a smoked brisket for 1-2 hours at minimum. Here are some more details on brisket rest time:
- Smaller brisket (5-8 lbs) – Rest for at least 1 hour
- Average sized brisket (10-15 lbs) – Rest for 11⁄2 – 2 hours
- Very large brisket (18+ lbs) – Rest for 2+ hours
The larger the brisket, the longer the resting time needed. The brisket will continue to cook a bit more as it rests, evening out the interior temperature. The juices also need more time to fully redistribute in a very large cut of meat.
Factors That Affect Resting Time
There are a few factors that can impact how long you need to rest your smoked brisket:
- Smoke method – A brisket smoked at a higher temperature will benefit from slightly longer resting time than one smoked low and slow.
- Cook temperature – If you finish cooking the brisket at a higher oven temperature, allow for extra resting time.
- Serving method – Brisket served sliced needs less resting time than keeping it whole for service.
- Ambient temperature – Rest the brisket in a cooler environment in summer. In winter, you may need less rest time.
How to Rest a Brisket After Smoking
Resting the brisket properly ensures you get the most out of the time and care put into smoking it. Follow these steps for properly resting brisket:
- Wrap the brisket in butcher paper, foil, or place it a disposable pan after removing from smoker.
- Pour any accumulated juices from the smoker over the brisket.
- Place wrapped brisket in an empty cooler, wrap in towels, or place in a warm oven.
- Let brisket rest for 1-2 hours undisturbed.
- Check the center temperature – it should read at least 145°F before slicing and serving.
The brisket will continue to cook a bit as it rests, so be sure it has reached the minimum safe temperature before digging in. Keeping the brisket warm in an oven or insulated cooler prevents it from cooling too quickly while resting.
Resting Tips
Follow these tips to get the most out of resting your smoked brisket:
- Don’t peek! Opening the foil or paper wrap will release the heat and moisture.
- Save the juices! Pour over the sliced or chopped brisket for serving.
- Add broth or seasoning to hold moisture in.
- Use a meat thermometer to check doneness before serving.
What Happens If You Don’t Rest Brisket?
Skipping or shortening the rested period can lead to a lower quality brisket. Here are some potential issues:
- Dry, stringy meat
- Uneven cooking
- Less tender
- Flat, one-dimensional flavor
- Soggy exterior, dry interior
- Juices run out when sliced
Even worse, the brisket may not reach a safe minimum internal temperature throughout. Resting ensures the temperature is evenly distributed.
How to Tell If Brisket Is Done Resting
Checking a few things can help you determine when the brisket is ready after resting:
- Temperature reaches 145°F – 160°F throughout
- Exterior is cool enough to handle comfortably
- Meat has firmed up slightly
- Juices run clear when pierced with a knife or fork
Use an instant read meat thermometer to test the temperature at multiple spots. The brisket should feel cool but still warm to the touch. Slightly pressing on the meat should leave a very faint indentation.
Serving and Storing Leftover Brisket
Brisket is even better the next day! Here are some tips for serving and storing leftover brisket:
Serving Hot
- Slice across the grain into 1/4″ thick slices
- Chop or shred for sandwiches
- Add slices back to the smoker for 30 minutes to reheat
- Place slices on a sheet pan in a 275°F oven to reheat
Pour the defatted juices over the brisket when serving.
Storing Leftovers Safely
- Let cool completely, then refrigerate within 2 hours
- Store leftover sliced brisket in broth or au jus
- Freeze leftover brisket for 4-6 months
- Refrigerate juices separately up to 5 days
Properly stored, leftover brisket will maintain quality and taste for several days refrigerated. For longer storage, freeze sliced brisket in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
Common Resting Mistakes
It’s easy to make mistakes when resting brisket after smoking. Here are some common errors:
- Not allowing enough time – The #1 mistake!
- Leaving brisket uncovered during rest
- Forgetting to wrap or contain the juices
- Letting the brisket cool completely
- Checking temperature too late
- Slicing before juices redistribute
Rushing the resting period almost guarantees dry, tough brisket. Be sure to follow the timing guidelines based on weight. Keeping the brisket warm and contained leads to the best finished product.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you wrap brisket when resting?
Yes, wrapping the brisket is important during resting to lock in moisture and heat. Use butcher paper, foil, or place in a foil pan and tent with foil. Do not use plastic wrap.
Should brisket be rested in a cooler?
Resting in a cooler helps insulate the wrapped brisket and keep it warm. Place brisket in an empty cooler, then wrap the cooler in towels or blankets to help retain heat. Coolers are very effective when resting brisket.
Can you over rest brisket?
It is possible to over-rest a brisket if left for too long. After 3-4 hours, the brisket temperature will drop too much and moisture can be lost. Stick to the recommended 1-2 hours for most brisket sizes.
Should you rest brisket fat side up or down?
It doesn’t make a major difference – the key is keeping the brisket wrapped tightly. If you cooked fat side up, rest with fat side up. Cooked fat side down? Then rest fat side down.
Where should brisket rest? Counter or fridge?
Counter, always. Rest on the kitchen counter or in a cooler, oven, or warm ambient temperature. Do not refrigerate brisket immediately after smoking or the meat can dry out.
Conclusion
Allowing time for your brisket to rest after smoking is just as important as the long, slow smoking process. Resting for 1-2 hours gives the juices time to redistribute, allows the meat to become tender, and evenly distributes the internal temperature. Rushing the resting period leads to dry, unevenly cooked brisket. Be patient and let that brisket take a breather before carving and serving for sensational smoked meat!