Moist Barbecue Brisket

Barbecued brisket has long been a staple of the barbecue lover. So much so, that there are many people who think that it's not really a barbecue until someone pulls this dish out. However, just because it is a staple of the outdoor barbecue, doesn't mean that you can't have it year round. In fact, to make some truly moist barbecue brisket that will leave your guests salivating and begging for more, all you need to do is follow a few simple guidelines.

These guidelines are applicable, regardless of what kind of sauce you use. In fact, the sauce or rub that you utilize is purely a matter of personal taste. What isn't a matter of taste is how juicy and tender the meat is. To ensure that you get the moist brisket that you really want, focus primarily on a few central items. These items are choosing the meat, trimming the meat, how to cook the meat, and using the right equipment. Once you understand these issues, and you will be able to make the best tasting brisket you can possibly imagine.

• Choosing the meat. Despite what some people may like to think not all meat is the same, even if you choose within the same type of cut. When choosing the brisket that you are going to be cooking, you need to choose one that is marbleized nicely which also has a nice thick outer layer of fat. Ideally, while you want to chose a brisket, you want to make sure that you choose a tip brisket cut. This will usually get you the right mix of marbleized meat that you want.
• Trimming the meat. Often people will look at the a brisket and think that the outer layer of fat needs to be trimmed away. This couldn't be further from the truth. The reality is that the fat serves two major purposes. The first, it contains most of the juices that you will be enjoying while you eat; the second, the fat will also help protect the meat from direct heat while cooking, and help ensure that you have a juicy meal. If at all possible, try to have the outer layer of fat as even as possible around the meat.
• Cooking the meat. Ideally when you are cooking the meat, you want to make sure that the heat is low, around 225 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. While this means a longer cooking time, it also means that the juices aren't cooked away as quickly either. If you are using a unidirectional heat source, then you will want to periodically flip your meat to ensure even cooking.
• Use the right equipment. While you are cooking the meat, you need to make sure that you use the correct tools and equipment. Make sure that you have a good quality brisket mop, smoker or grill, cooking utensils, and a timer. Cooking brisket is a long process, which depending on the recipe, can take up to twenty hours to complete.