Smoking your brisket can be a tricky endeavor. It is essential to choose the suitable wood for smoking that will best complement the flavors of your brisket.
To help you, we have compiled a list of 10 different best wood for smoking brisket that is commonly used to smoke beef and what flavor they impart to the meat.
We also have a few tips and tricks on using each type of wood, so your smoked brisket is perfect. So check out these ten kinds of wood for the perfect smoking brisket.
Benefits of Flavoring With Wood Smoke
When it comes to smoking meats, adding wood smoke can impart many benefits. It can add flavor, help to seal in moisture, and add beautiful color to your meat.
Wood smoke is also an excellent way to add a layer of complexity to your meal. By using different types of wood, you can create unique flavors that will make your smoked briskets stand out.
- The 10 Best Woods For Smoking Brisket 2023
- 1. Weber 17148 Hickory Wood Chunks
- 2. Smoak Firewood Oak Wood Chunks
- 3. Western Premium Apple BBQ Wood
- 4. Western Pecan BBQ Smoking Chips
- 5. Zorestar Oak Smoker Wood Chunks
- 6. Western Premium BBQ Products Maple BBQ Smoking Chips
- 7. HUMOS Olive Flavored Wood Chips
- 8. Apple firewood logs 15lbs and Wood Chips
- 9. Western BBQ Smoking Wood Chips Variety Pack Bundle
- 10. Zorestar Apple Wood Chunks
- Tips for Using Wood When Smoking Brisket
- What Types of wood sizes to choose from?
- What's the Difference between Cooking Brisket in a Gas or Electric Smoker
- Other Brisket Cooking Methods
- FAQ About best wood for smoking brisket
The 10 Best Woods For Smoking Brisket 2023
1. Weber 17148 Hickory Wood Chunks
The first type of wood you will want to use is hickory wood chunks. This is a trendy choice when it comes to smoking your food. Hickory wood has a robust flavor that imparts a pleasant smoky taste, making it the ideal choice when smoking a brisket.
The hickory smoke does not burn as hot as other types of smoke, meaning you can leave your brisket in for longer without worrying about burning the meat.
When used correctly, hickory chunks can elevate the taste of your smoked brisket by adding a pretty sweet and smoky flavor. Hickory wood is also effortless to find at any store specializing in grilling or smoking supplies.
It’s also highly affordable, making it an ideal choice if you are on a budget. We recommend using hickory wood chunks if you look for a nice smoky and sweet flavor that will compliment your brisket very well.
2. Smoak Firewood Oak Wood Chunks
Another popular choice is oak wood chunks. If you are looking to create your competition-grade brisket, this is the best wood for smoking brisket.
Oak has a solid and hearty flavor that is perfect for charcoal smoker grills. It also burns relatively hot, meaning that it will help seal in the moisture of your meat while cooking.
The oak smoke will also give your brisket a beautiful mahogany color, which will impress your guests. Oakwood is also effortless to find, and it’s relatively affordable. I recommend using oak wood chunks if you look for a robust and hearty flavor that perfectly complements your smoked brisket.
3. Western Premium Apple BBQ Wood
The third type of wood you will want to use is applewood chunks. This type of wood produces a nice mild smoky flavor perfect for smoking brisket. The apple smoke will also help keep your meat moist and juicy, making it a great choice if you are looking for the best wood for smoking brisket.
Applewood is also effortless to find out and is usually cheaper than other types of wood. I would recommend using applewood chunks if you are looking for a mild smoky flavor that will compliment your brisket perfectly.
4. Western Pecan BBQ Smoking Chips
The fourth type of wood you will want to use is pecan wood chips. This type of wood has a smoky and robust flavor, perfect for smoking brisket. The pecan smoke will also help to add beautiful golden color to your meat, which is sure to impress your guests.
Pecan wood is also effortless to find and is usually the best wood for brisket. I recommend pecan wood chips if you look for a robustly smoky flavor that perfectly complements your smoked brisket.
5. Zorestar Oak Smoker Wood Chunks
This is the first review of a product sent to me by Jorestar Smokers. The package reached my front door within three days of ordering. The pieces of wood were immaculate, and there was no debris or sticks inside the package. These are packaged in separate 1-pound bags inside a 4-pound bag.
The Zorestar Oak Smoker Wood Chunks are made of 100% oak, and it’s an excellent choice for smoking meat, fish, or vegetables. The wood chunks produce a mild smoke flavor that is not too overpowering. I have used the best wood chips for brisket to smoke pork ribs, chicken, and brisket and have been pleased with the results.
The Zorestar Oak Smoker Wood Chunks are a great value and would be a perfect choice for anyone looking to start smoking meat or vegetables. I highly recommend these wood chunks to anyone looking for a great smoked flavor without spending much money.
6. Western Premium BBQ Products Maple BBQ Smoking Chips
These smoking chips are made of 100% maple and produce a sweet, smokey flavor that is perfect for smoking ribs, chicken, pork, and other types of meat. I have used these chips to smoke brisket and bacon and have been satisfied with the outcomes.
The Western Premium BBQ Products Maple BBQ Smoking Chips are packaged in 1.65-pound bags, which is a great value. I highly suggest these chips to anyone looking for the best wood for smoking brisket.
7. HUMOS Olive Flavored Wood Chips
The HUMOS Olive Flavored Wood Chips are made from 100% percent olive wood, which gives off a pleasant smoke when burnt. I’ve smoked salmon using these chips and have been delighted with the outcomes.
The HUMOS Olive Flavored Wood Chips produce very little ash, burning very slowly. These chips need to be soaked in water for a couple of hours before placing them on the charcoal, and then they need to be tended to very carefully. The temperature needs to be monitored closely as the chips will burn much hotter than other wood chips that I have used before.
8. Apple firewood logs 15lbs and Wood Chips
These apple wood logs are of great value and would be perfect for anyone who is looking to start a fire in their fireplace or stove. I have used these logs to start fires in my fireplace and stove, and they work great.
The Apple firewood logs are an excellent choice for anyone who wants to add flavor to their fire. I’ve never used these logs to smoke meat or vegetables, but based on the flavor they produce in my fireplace and stove, I would imagine that they would make a great smoking wood.
The Apple firewood logs are packaged in 15-pound bags, perfect for anyone who wants to start a fire in their fireplace or stove. I highly recommend these logs to anyone looking for a great value.
9. Western BBQ Smoking Wood Chips Variety Pack Bundle
The Western BBQ Smoking Wood Chips Variety Pack package includes four wood chips: Hickory, Mesquite, Red Oak, and Apple. I have used all of these wood chips except for the hickory to smoke ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, chicken wings, and bacon. All of the chips produce a great smokey flavor that is perfect for barbecue.
The Western BBQ Smoking Wood Chips Variety Pack Bundle is a great value and would be perfect for anyone looking to start smoking meat or vegetables. I highly recommend these wood chips to anyone who wants to try out different wood chips to see which one they like the best wood for smoking brisket.
10. Zorestar Apple Wood Chunks
The Zorestar Apple Wood Chunks are a great value and would be ideal for anybody who wants to start smoking meat or veggies. I’ve used these wood chunks to smoke pork ribs, chicken, and brisket, and the results have been fantastic.
The Zorestar Apple Wood Chunks produce a sweet, smokey flavor that is perfect for smoking ribs, chicken, pork, and other types of meat. The wood chunks need to be soaked in water for a couple of hours before placing them on the charcoal or in your smoker, and then they need to be tended to very carefully.
The Zorestar Apple Wood Chunks are packaged in 2-pound bags, a great value. I highly recommend these wood chunks to anyone who is looking for an authentic smoked flavor without breaking the bank.
Tips for Using Wood When Smoking Brisket
Always use dry wood when smoking meat. Wet wood will make the fire more significant, which leads to more burnt flavors and makes it harder to keep the temperature of your smoker stable. If you are using wet wood, make sure to build a separate charcoal pile that will act as a heat source to smoke the meat.
When smoking brisket, it is essential to use a mild flavor wood. Some of the milder woods include apple, cherry, and peach. These woods will add a subtle sweetness to your brisket without overpowering the other flavors.
If you are looking for more robust flavors, oak and hickory are two of the most popular woods. Oak provides a smoky-sweet flavor that is perfect for smoking brisket. Hickory has a more robust smoke flavor that adds great color and pairs perfectly with beef.
If you want more delicious flavors, you can try Mesquite or sassafras. Mesquite produces a smoky and robust flavor, perfect for dishes with a Tex-Mex flair. Sassafras has a sweet and smoky flavor that is perfect for Southern-style brisket.
What Types of wood sizes to choose from?
Almost all types of wood will come in a few different sizes. These sizes include chips, chunks, and logs.
Chunks are usually 1-2 inches in size and pack the most flavor out of any wood that you can use when smoking a brisket. Chunks work the best wood for smoking brisket with large racks or water pans because they easily regulate the temperature. You can use chunks if you are looking for a bolder flavor than chips but milder than logs.
Logs are usually around 3 inches in diameter and have the most smoke out of any wood that you can use when smoking a brisket. Logs work best for smokers that don’t have any water pans or drip trays. You can use small logs if you are looking for an intense wood smoke flavor that will build up with each bite.
Chips are usually around 0.5 inches and pack a milder smoky flavor than chunks or logs. Chips work best for smokers who don’t need more significant amounts of smoke flavor, and usually, the amount of smoke they produce is enough for several hours.
If you want to receive more smoke flavor than chips, try adding sawdust to your firebox. Sawdust will burn slower than wood chips and makes it easier for the smoker to regulate the temperature.
When using larger chunks or logs, it is essential to remember that they will take longer to start smoking than wood chips. You may need to soak them in water for a few hours before using them so that they will start smoking sooner.
What’s the Difference between Cooking Brisket in a Gas or Electric Smoker
If you use a gas or electric smoker, I recommend using the best wood chips for smoking brisket or sawdust to produce the smoke flavor. This is because gas and electric smokers do not have the same capabilities as charcoal smokers when creating a smoky flavor.
When using a gas or electric smoker, I would also recommend using a meat probe to monitor the internal temperature of your brisket. This will help you avoid overcooking or undercooking your meat.
If you are looking for a smoker that is easy to use and doesn’t require a lot of babysitting, I would recommend a gas smoker grill. Gas smokers are great because they are easy to set up and usually have automatic temperature control.
Other Brisket Cooking Methods
If you are looking at other ways to cook brisket, a few different methods will work. These methods include oven braising, slow cooking in your crockpot, pressure cooking, and smoke roasting.
Oven braising will produce a similar texture to smoking your brisket but doesn’t allow any smoky flavors. If you are looking for a recipe similar to smoking but easier to do in your kitchen oven, this might be the best wood for smoking brisket.
Slow cooking in your crockpot will only provide subtle flavors and usually isn’t as good as using a smoker or oven braising method. If you don’t have a smoker and are looking for a way to cook your brisket in your crockpot, this might be the best option for you.
Pressure cooking is a great way to cook brisket if you are short on time or ensure that you won’t overcook your meat. This cooking method will usually take around an hour, and your brisket will be tender and juicy.
Smoke roasting is a great way to cook your brisket if you want the smoke flavor to be intense. This cooking method uses an oven with a low temperature and usually takes around 4-5 hours to complete.
FAQ About best wood for smoking brisket
What kind of smoker do I need to use chunks or logs?
Can I use sawdust to produce smoke in my electric smoker?
How long will it take for chunks or logs to start smoking?
How long should you smoke brisket?
What are some other ways to cook a brisket?
Pressure cooking is a great way to cook brisket if you are short on time or ensure that you won’t overcook your meat. Smoke roasting is a great way to cook your brisket if you want the smoke flavor to be intense. This cooking method uses an oven with a low temperature and usually takes around 4-5 hours to complete.
Final Verdict
I’m sure you’re not surprised to find that the best wood for smoking brisket is hickory, oak, and Mesquite. These woods are so popular because they produce a lot of smoke, imparting flavor to the meat.
Hickory also tends to be more affordable than other types of wood, while oak can provide an excellent smoked taste without being too overpowering.
For generations, Mesquite has been used traditionally in Texas barbecue due to its ability to impart a sweet smokiness with just a hint of spice.
I hope the article helps you choose what’s most beneficial when it comes time to cook your next batch! If you have any questions or want help sourcing good-quality hardwoods, we’ll be happy to help.