Oklahoma Joe's Smoked Brisket Flat

This brisket rub and method makes a wonderful, juicy, brisket. I make this using my smoker-it has the directions for cooking it in a grill as well but I've never tried it this way. I always use about a 5 pound brisket when I make this. My brisket is usually done in about 6 hours. Be sure to use an instant read thermometer. I insert one in the thick part of the brisket when I feel it's getting close to being done and I just leave it in the meat till the desired temperature is reached. Instead of apple juice I mix 3/4 cup vegetable oil and 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar-it works just as well. I also put the rub on the night before, wrap it real good in plastic wrap and then with foil and leave it in the fridge all night. Since I do this in the smoker, I soak enough chips to fill up my wood box as opposed to the 4 cups you will need for the grill. You don't have to change the wood chips as the meat will only take on so much smoke. If your using a smoker just check the water pan everytime you open the smoker to baste. I got this from the foodnetwork website. Be sure to let this rest after cooking-it's a very important step. You won't be disappointed. I also prepare Neely's BBQ sauce for this and it's delicious!

• Ready In: 7 hrs
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 1⁄4 cup kosher salt
• 1⁄4 cup sugar
• 2  tablespoons garlic powder
• 2  tablespoons onion powder
• 2  tablespoons  spanish paprika
• 2  tablespoons chili powder
• 1  tablespoon  celery salt
• 1  tablespoon lemon pepper
• 1  tablespoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1  tablespoon fresh ground white pepper
• 1  teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 (5 -8 lb)  beef brisket (flat cut)
• 4  cups  oak chips or 4  cups  hickory chips
• 1  cup  apple juice
• 1 1⁄2 cups  your favorite barbecue sauce

Directions

1. Special equipment: spray bottle for apple juice.
2. Combine all the spices in a bowl, mix well. Pat the spice rub onto the meat, making sure to heavily season the entire surface area of the brisket. Cover or wrap the brisket and let it sit at room temperature while getting the smoker or charcoal grill fired up. Do not leave at room temperature for longer than 1 hour.
3. The grill is ready when when the charcoal has burned to white ash. If using a grill instead of a smoker, arrange the coals on 1 side of the grill, leaving an area large enough for the brisket to cook indirectly with no coals directly underneath the meat.
4. When the grill has reached 200 to 225 degresF, scatter 1/4 of the wood chips over the coals, close the grate, put the bisket on the grill and close the lid.
5. Maintain a 200 to 225 degrees cooking temperature (this goes for grill or the smoker) inside the grill, adding coals every 2 hours or as necessary. Add wood chips and spray the brisket with the apple juice everytime you add new coals. Try not to lift the lid of the grill (or door to smoker) at any other time.
6. When the brisket reaches an internal temoerature of 165 to 170 degrees F on an instant read meat thermometer (after about 4-5 hours) remove it from the grill and double wrap in aluminum foil to keep the juices from leaking out. Return the brisket to the grill (or smoker). The brisket is finished cooking when it is very tender and reaches an internal temperature of 190 degreesF, about another 1-2 hours. Let rest for 45 minutes, then unwrap and slice. Serve with bbq sauce on the side.