Should I marinade brisket for smoking overnight, or only do a dry rub?

Should I marinade brisket for smoking overnight, or only do a dry rub? - From above of similar wavy feathers with delicate texture on pointed sticks and haze effect on black surface in twilight

I normally grill flank steaks in a marinade w/ citrus juices, soy sauce, garlic and chipotle overnight...

I want to get into smoking brisket and wanted people response about taking a brisket and marinading in such a similar marinade overnight before I pat dry and then smoke or am I making a BIG mistake and should just do a dry rub 2 hours prior to smoking?



Best Answer

Marination is a surface treatment. So, you are not getting any added benefit by marinating over night. The only thing that generally penetrates is salt, which might happen, depending on the quantity of soy sauce you are using. So...probably doesn't matter too much.

If you want to "get into smoking brisket", I would recommend a traditional approach. Brisket is challenging enough as it is. Master the traditional approach, then deviate if you want to mix things up.




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Quick Answer about "Should I marinade brisket for smoking overnight, or only do a dry rub?"

Seasoning your brisket the night before and letting it sit in the refrigerator or cooler for at least 6 hours yields the best tasting and juiciest results. What you are basically doing with this method is dry brining your brisket before cooking.

Should you marinate a brisket overnight?

Most brisket will require marinating overnight, so plan ahead. Since brisket is a large cut of meat, a 1-gallon zip-top bag won't do the trick. Try a large baking dish or a non-reactive (not metal) pot to hold the brisket and marinade. It is also important that the marinade reaches the entire surface of the brisket.

Should you marinate a brisket before smoking?

If you are going to apply a rub, do so at least an hour before you smoke. But no matter which seasoning method you use, let the brisket come to room temperature before cooking. To enhance the tenderizing effect of smoking, marinate the brisket with lemon juice, lime juice, vinegar, or any other acid-based marinade.

Is dry rub or marinade better for brisket?

In addition to flavor, a rub also adds texture and is great for larger pieces of food like brisket, ribs, steak and certain types of fish. A marinade is a mixture of spices, plus an acidic liquid like vinegar, citrus or wine. The acidity helps tenderize tougher cuts of meat while also intensifying the flavor.

How long should dry rub sit on brisket?

After letting the rub absorb into the brisket for six hours or overnight, remove the brisket from the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature. This lets the fibers and the muscle in the meat relax before you subject it to the heat of the smoker.



Smoking the PERFECT BRISKET overnight (while I sleep) | Offset Smoker




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