How To Cook Brisket On Charcoal Grill

If you’re like me, then you love to spend time outside cooking on the grill. The smell of cooking food on the open flame makes my mouthwatering.

And what could be better than cooking a juicy brisket on the grill? This article will show you how to cook brisket on charcoal grill. So fire up your grill, and let’s get started!

How To Choose Brisket For Grilling?

When choosing your brisket, it’s essential to know the differences between the point and the flat of beef brisket. The point has more fat marbling than the flat, so it tends to be moister and fattier than the flat after cooking.

How To Choose Brisket For Grilling

This means it’s better suited for braising or smoking but not as well-suited for grilling. That’s why you should choose a flat or first cut brisket if you want to grill it.

How Long To Cook A Brisket On The Grill?

Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your beef brisket and the heat of your coals, so keep a close eye on it until you get a feel for how long it takes.

On average, I would cook a beef brisket at 225 degrees for around 1-1.5 hours per pound. However, if you’re using a Texas-style smoker, then you’ll need to cook the brisket much slower at around 200 degrees.

Jump To
  1. How Long To Cook A Brisket On The Grill?
  2. How to Smoke Brisket on a Charcoal Grill?
  3. Tips For Grilling A Perfect Brisket
  4. How long does it take to smoke a brisket?
  5. How do I keep the brisket hot while it cooks?
  6. What temperature do I cook my brisket to?
  7. How do I know when my brisket is done?
  8. Do I need to use wood chips when smoking my brisket?
  9. Do I need to use a unique smoker to smoke my brisket?
  10. Can I cook my brisket in the oven?
  11. Final Verdict

How To Cook A Brisket on Charcoal Grill?

The first point to do is prepare your grill for cooking. Start by heating your coals until they are nice and hot. Then, set the brisket fat-side under the grill and cover it with the lid. Grill your brisket for around 1.5 hours per pound or until it touches an internal heat of 165 degrees F.

And when you use charcoal smoker grills, you need to add coals to the side of the grill to maintain a constant temperature. You can go ahead and flip your brisket over onto a new piece of aluminum foil at 165 degrees F, so the fat side is up.

Then return it to the grill, plus add your coals to the opposite side. Grill it for another 1-1.5 hours until the inside warmth touches 205 degrees F. Step to cook brisket on charcoal grill.

Prepping the brisket before cooking

Prepping your brisket before it goes on the grill is key to ensuring that it comes out with a nice smokey flavor. The first step is to season and marinate your beef brisket to add extra flavor and moisture during the grilling process. And you want:

  • 1 cup of water
  • 1/4 cup of Worcestershire sauce
  • A couple of tablespoons of liquid smoke
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • A tablespoon each of salt and pepper (salt is optional)
  • (For more flavor options, check out this excellent list from Food.com here .)

After you’ve mixed up your ingredients into a marinade, generously coat your beef brisket in it and then let it sit in the fridge for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight.

Prepping your charcoal grill

After you’ve seasoned and marinated your beef brisket, it’s time to prepare your charcoal grill for cooking. First, get the grill temperature to 225 degrees F if you’re using a kettle-style grill or 180 degrees F.

Both will work just fine for grilling up a tasty brisket. Next, go ahead and fill your water pan with some water or beef stock, so the brisket has something to cook in. This will prevent it from turning into traditional barbecue brisket jerky during the cooking process.

Smoking the brisket

Now it’s time to place your beef brisket on the grill also, cover it with the lid. Grill it for around 1.5 hours per pound, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

Smoking the brisket

If you’re using a Weber charcoal grill, this is when you’ll want to add your coals to the side of the grill to maintain a steady temperature. You can go ahead and flip your brisket over onto a new piece of aluminum foil at 165 degrees F, so the fat side is up.

Then return it to the grill and add your coals on the opposite side. Grill it for another 1-1.5 hours or until its internal warmth reaches 205 degrees F.

Low and slow

As you can see, cooking a beef brisket on the grill is pretty simple. However, you want to keep in mind that if you use charcoal instead of a Texas-style smoker, then it’s going to take quite a bit longer than 1-1.5 hours per pound.

On average, I would plan on cooking your beef brisket for around 10-12 hours total. The key is to keep the temperature of your grill low and steady at around 225 degrees F using charcoal or 180 degrees F using pellets.

Mind the stall

When your beef brisket reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, it’s going to start to stall. This is normal and means that the collagen in the meat is breaking down, and the proteins are contracting.

Don’t worry, and it’s still cooking! Just be patient and let it cook for another 1-1.5 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 205 degrees F.

Test for doneness

Once your beef brisket has arrived at an interior temperature of 205 degrees F, it’s officially done. To test for doneness, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat and make sure that the reading is at least 190 degrees F. If it’s not, then put your brisket back on the grill and let it cook for another 10-15 minutes.

Grilling the beef brisket

Once you’ve prepped to smoke a brisket on a charcoal grill, it’s time to start grilling up your beef brisket. If you’re using a charcoal grill, go ahead and let your coals burn down until they start to ash over.

Then push them to one side of the grill and place your brisket on the opposite side. Cover it with your lid and close up any vents or openings so smoke can’t escape. Grill it for around 1.5 hours or until the inner temperature touches 165 degrees F.

How to Smoke Brisket on a Charcoal Grill?

Smoking brisket is an excellent method to add flavor and tenderness to your food. The method is a little more complex than grilling, but it’s well worth the effort.

To smoke brisket on a charcoal grill, you’ll need to start by setting up your smoker and getting it up to temperature. You can apply any wood pieces for smoking, but I find hickory or mesquite work best.

Place your brisket fat-side down on the grill and cover it with this hood. Smoke your brisket for around 1.5 hours per pound or until it touches an inner temperature of 165 degrees F.

Then, cover your brisket in an aluminum sheet and deliver it to the smoker. Smoke it for another 3-4 hours, and the inside temperature touches 205 degrees F.

Tips For Grilling A Perfect Brisket

The trick to a great brisket is low and slow cooking. This will ensure that you have a tender, succulent piece of meat on your hands. But don’t go too low, or the fat won’t render correctly, and the brisket won’t caramelize properly.

And it’s essential to let it relax for at least 30 minutes after cooking so the juices can redistribute. If you’re using a Dyna Glo charcoal grill, try maintaining a consistent temperature by adding new coals as needed. And finally, use a thermometer to make sure your brisket is cooked perfectly every time.

FAQ’s About the Cook Brisket On Charcoal Grill

How long does it take to smoke a brisket?

It takes around 10-12 hours for a beef brisket to cook thoroughly. But since the actual smoking time is only about 1.5 hours per pound, you can multiply that by three to get your total cooking time of around 30-36 hours. And when you use a charcoal grill, you can expect that to be around 12-14 hours.

How do I keep the brisket hot while it cooks?

It’s essential to keep your brisket covered at all times, so the heat stays trapped inside with it. If you’re worried about keeping it warm for longer than 3 hours, wrap your brisket in aluminum foil and place it in an oven set to 250 degrees F.

What temperature do I cook my brisket to?

To ensure that you don’t under- or over-cook your beef brisket, apply a meat thermostat to experiment with the internal warmth of your meat. You want it between 190 and 205 degrees F for tender, juicy results every time.

How do I know when my brisket is done?

To tell if your beef brisket is fully cooked, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat and make sure that the reading is at least 190 degrees F. If it’s not, then put your brisket back on the grill and let it cook for another 10-15 minutes.

Do I need to use wood chips when smoking my brisket?

Yes, you need something to keep the smoke going and form that smoky flavor we know and love. Wood chips are most common for this purpose, but you can also toss some oak or mesquite in a fire pit if you don’t have the extra equipment.

Do I need to use a unique smoker to smoke my brisket?

No, you don’t need any additional equipment besides your grill. That being said, if you have an offset firebox or other vertical smoker, it’ll make the process easier and more fun. But don’t sweat it if you don’t already have one – any charcoal grill will work just fine.

Can I cook my brisket in the oven?

You can, but I find that it’s not quite as flavorful as smoking it on a charcoal grill. If you’re looking for a similar flavor profile with less hassle, try using an oven-smoking technique instead.

Final Verdict

After reading how to cook brisket on charcoal grill, you should be able to cook a brisket on your charcoal grill. We hope that the tips we’ve provided will help you make cooking more accessible and enjoyable for you! Also, you can see our other recipes or services on our website if they are interested.