Best Brisket Rub Recipe - Homemade & Award Winning Recipes (2024)

With so much effort and hours of work going into cooking a brisket, you want to make sure that you don't end up running the taste of it by using some random meat rub, who doesn't go very well with this type of meat.

Today, I am going to pick which is the best brisket rub recipe by showing and reviewing several popular recipes and pointing out what I like about each one of them.

I decided to include a list of homemade rub recipes and guides as well as to review and list my top 5 favorite award winning brisket rubs from bbq championships around the country. If you are in a hurry, you can always use the quick navigation table below to quickly jump to your preferred section.

In a Rush? Here's Our Personal Favorites:

  • 2015 World Steak Champion
  • Perfect Pepper Spice Blend
  • Best for Brisket, Steaks, Burgers, Fajitas etc.
  • Perfect Balance of Spices - Savory and Smoky-Heat
  • Mouthwatering Explosion of Rich-Red Goodness, with just the Right Amount of Chili Pepper

Homemade Texas-Style BBQ Brisket Rub

Best Brisket Rub Recipe - Homemade & Award Winning Recipes (2)

  • Homemade & Very Simple
  • Easy to Make & Use
  • Cheap Ingredients
  • Great Way to Enhance the Flavors of the Brisket without to Much Effort
  • Perfect Blend of Spices - Southwestern-Style Combinations

Click here to Jump to Recipe Below

5 Brisket Rub Recipes to Try on Your Next BBQ

Down below you can find 7 different recipes for brisket rub which are very popular and can be used to rub your meat.

Brown Sugar Brisket Rub

Best Brisket Rub Recipe - Homemade & Award Winning Recipes (3)

This is a very popular and easy-to-make dry rub recipe, that requires little preparation and makes your brisket taste great.

You are can adjust the amount of several ingredients, such as mild chili powder or hot peppers based on your preferences.

Details

  • Preparation Time: 8-10 Mins
  • Servings: Around 16 (Or 1 2/3 Cups)

Ingredients

  • 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
  • 1/3 Cup Salt (Sea or Kosher)
  • 1/3 Cup Paprika
  • 1/3 Cup Chili Powder (depending on your Preferences)

Instructions

Mix all the upper mentioned ingredients in a small bowl.

How to Apply it

Rub the mixture onto brisket around 30-40 minutes before smoking and wrap it in plastic bag/wrap and let it sit at room temperature.

How to Store it

You can prepare a lot of mixture once and a while and store it in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Storing it more than that will cause the brown sugar to crystallize.

Texas Style Smoked Brisket Rub

Best Brisket Rub Recipe - Homemade & Award Winning Recipes (4)

Image Credits: Shoutingforha

Next, we have one of my all-time favorite rubbing recipes. The Texas-Style brisket dry rub is a great way to enhance the flavors of the brisket without too much effort.

On the original Texas-style brisket recipe, the usage of cayenne pepper and hot chili powder are very high, based on my liking. You are free to adjust it to your liking, but remember that the spiciness is what makes this dry rub a Southwestern-style.

Details

  • Preparation Time: 5 Minutes
  • Servings: 12

Ingredients

  • 3 Tbsp Salt
  • 2 Tbsp Garlic Powder
  • 2 Tbsp Onion Powder
  • 5 Tbsp Paprika
  • 1 Tbsp Black Pepper
  • 1 Tbsp Dried Parsley
  • 2 Tsp Cayenne Pepper
  • 1 Tsp Dried Oregano
  • 2 Tsp Ground Cumin
  • 1 Tsp Ground Coriander
  • 1/4 Tsp Hot Chili Powder
  • 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar (Optional)

Instructions

In a large bowl, mix together all the ingredients and make sure to mix them well, so there are no hot spots of any kind.

How to Apply it

Once the rub is ready, sprinkle on the surface of the meat and rub it evenly on all sides.

Make sure to always sprinkle the rub onto the meat and not placing the meat on the rub-bowl. If you do so, the proteins will contaminate the rub leftovers in the bowl, making them unusable later on.

How to Store it

You can make plenty of this brisket rub ahead of time. This can be stored in an airtight container, in a dark place for several months.

The amount of ingredients shown here are enough to rub up to 5 pounds of meat, which is more than you will probably cook in one meal, so any leftover rub can be stored for later use.

You can later use this dry rub on other types of meat like pork, lamb, poultry etc.

Original BBQ Brisket Rub Recipe

This is another quick and easy rubbing mixture to use on your smoking brisket.

Again, the cumin and cayenne pepper amounts can be reduced or increased, based on what suits your preferences.

Details

  • Preparation Time: 7-10 Minutes
  • Servings: 1/2 Cup (1 Serving)

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 Tbsp Paprika
  • 2 Tsp Cayenne Pepper
  • 2 Tsp Dried Oregano Leaves
  • 2 Tsp Granulated Garlic
  • 2 Tsp Ground Cumin
  • 1/4 Cup Kosher Salt (or Coarse)

Instructions

In a medium bowl, mix together all the ingredients.

How to Apply it

It is recommended to apply the rub 2-4 hours before cooking the meat.

After you apply the rub, you should place the meat into the refrigerator for 4-6 hours to enhance the flavor.

How to Store it

You can prepare a ton of this rub ahead of time and store it using a airtight container, in a dark place for several months.

Angry Texas Rub for Smoked Brisket

This recipe is becoming very popular as a brisket rub because it has a nice combination of sweet with a kick of heat, making it ideal for grilled or smoked beef brisket.

Details

  • Preparation Time: 10 Minutes
  • Servings: 2 Cups

Ingredients

  • 3/4 Cup Paprika
  • 1/2 Cup Fresh Black Pepper
  • 1/3 Cup Kosher Salt (Coarse)
  • 1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
  • 3 Tbsp Granulated Garlic
  • 3 Tbsp Onion Powder
  • 2 Tsp Ancho Chilli Pepper
  • 2 Tsp Cayenne
  • 1 Tsp Cumin

Instructions

Combine all the upper mentioned ingredients in a bowl until they are mixed well.

How to Store it

Cover the mixture in plastic wrap or put it in a zipper locker bag and refrigerate overnight before cooking.

Chipotle Brisket Dry Rub

The main flavor of this spice rub is the Chipotle peppers. One thing you should have in mind for this is to finely ground the rub before using it.

Overall, this is a great dry rub which brings a little bit of heat but ton of flavor to the meat. It is ideal to use on brisket and ribs but can also be used on other types of meat.

Best Brisket Rub Recipe - Homemade & Award Winning Recipes (6)

Image Credits: AllRecipes

Details

  • Preparation Time: 15 Minutes
  • Servings: Around 1 Cup

Ingredients

  • 2-3 Dried Chipotle Peppers (Based on how much heat you like)
  • 3 Tbsp Black Pepper
  • 2 Tbsp Dried Oregano
  • 1 Tbsp Dried Cilantro Leaves
  • 1 Tsp Cumin
  • 1 Tsp Onion Powder
  • 1 Tsp Ground Dry Orange Peel
  • 1 Bay Leaf

Instructions

Put all the ingredients in a spice mill or blender and grind them until even and very fine.

How to Store it

You can store this rub in an airtight container or jar for up to 6 months, preferably in a dry and cool place.

Championship Award-Winning Brisket Competition Rub Recipe

As a follower of barbecue championship competitions, I decided to analyze and find the best rub recipe for brisket.

Most of the winning teams from the competition bbq sell their dry rubs online and since they sell commercially, you can see and analyze the ingredients of the each product.

So, the approach I am taking, also inspired by David of BbqDryRubs was:

  • Analyze the commercially sold products of 5 of the best competition brisket award winners.
  • Since they sell commercially, they must list all the ingredients in the list.
  • Analyze and compare all the ingredients to finally put together the Best Championship Brisket Rub.

Ingredients in the Award-Winning Championship Brisket Dry Rubs:

Kosmos Cow Cover

  • Salt
  • Chili Pepper
  • Sugar
  • Dehydrated Garlic
  • Dehydrated Onion
  • Paprika
  • Disodium Inosinate & Guanylate
  • Natural Hickory Smoke Flavor
  • Citric Acid

Pellet Envy - The Most Powerful Stuff

  • Salt
  • Sugar
  • Brown Sugar
  • Paprika
  • Monosodium Glutamate
  • Garlic Powder
  • Dehydrated Garlic & Onion
  • Spices & Chili Peppers

Oakridge Black Ops - Signature Edition

  • Sea Salt
  • Garlic
  • Black & White Pepper
  • Onion
  • Chilies (Incl. Paprika & Chipotle)
  • Raw Cane Sugar
  • Coriander
  • Bolivian Coffee
  • Shiitake Mushrooms
  • Other Spices

Slap Yo Daddy Beef Moola

  • Sea Salt
  • Maple Sugar
  • Granulated Garlic
  • Cane Sugar
  • Chili Pepper
  • Paprika
  • Black Pepper
  • Worcestershire Sauce
  • Shitake Powder
  • Citric Acid
  • Celery Seed
  • Cornstach
  • Soy Lecithin
  • Other Spices & Natural Flavors

Plowboys Bovine Bold

  • Salt
  • Brown Sugar
  • Paprika
  • Dehydrated Garlic & Onion
  • Sugar
  • Spices (Incl. Chili Peppers)
  • Celery Powder
  • Disodium Inosinate & Guanylate
  • Tumeric

After we take a deep look at the data below, we can see that the common ingredients are:

  • Sugar
  • Salt
  • Paprika
  • Chili
  • Garlic
  • MSG or aka Monosodium Glutamate
  • (Worth Mentioning) 4 out of 5 of them contain Onion Powder

What is MSG?

The Monosodium Glutamate or MSG is directly listed as an ingredient only for one of the products but if you take a deep look, you can see that the flavor profile is present in all of them.

Two of the other rubs contain disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate, which when combined together, taste just like MSG.

The other two rubs contain shiitake mushroom powder, which are naturally loaded with MSG.

A few Points to Have in Mind:

  • After analyzing the Championship Competition BBQ Rubs, I noticed that the black pepper was not a primary ingredient. It is present in only 2 out of 5 rubs even though online, it is present in 99% of dry rub recipes.
  • Also, another issue is to properly know how much of each ingredient to use. Each brisket rub has different amounts for each ingredients, so I decided to keep them all balanced.

Doc Somerville's Brisket Rub

The ingredients below will create a flavor-packed rub which will take your brisket to the next level.

You will get a salty, sweet, smokey and savory flavor, along with a little bit of spiciness, which will definitely grab your attention.

Ingredients

  • 6 Tbsp Salt
  • 2 Tbsp Sugar (Brown or Turbinado)
  • 2 Tbsp Granulated Garlic
  • 2 Tbsp Smoked Paprika
  • 1 Tbsp Granulated Onion
  • 2 Tsp Ground Chipotle Chile Pepper
  • 2 Tsp Ground Ancho Chile Pepper
  • 2 Tsp Gebhardt's Chili Powder
  • 2 Tsp Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 Tsp Accent (MSG)

Notes:

  • You are free to use either Kosher or Table salt but I personally prefer Morton table salt for this rub since it mix well with other ingredients thanks to its small particles.
  • Try to find fresh or high quality smoked paprika. If it doesn't smell good, don't use it.
  • The Chipotle chili adds to the smokey flavor and the ancho contributes to the sweet. Gebhert's chili powder will balance everything.

Reviews of the Best Award Winning Brisket Rub Recipes

For all of you who are thinking about picking one of the 5 award winning brisket championship rubs, I decided to write a quick review and get into details for each of them, so you can have a better understanding of what to expect.

Name

Temperature Range

Price Range

Our Rating

Best Brisket Rub Recipe - Homemade & Award Winning Recipes (8)

32 - 572 °F
(0 - 300 °C)

$$

Best Brisket Rub Recipe - Homemade & Award Winning Recipes (9)

-40 - 482 °F
(-40 - 250 °C)

$

Best Brisket Rub Recipe - Homemade & Award Winning Recipes (10)

32 - 572 °F
(0 - 300 °C)

$$

Best Brisket Rub Recipe - Homemade & Award Winning Recipes (11)

32 - 392 °F
(0 - 200 °C)

$$

Best Brisket Rub Recipe - Homemade & Award Winning Recipes (12)

32 - 572 °F
(0 - 300 °C)

$$

Kosmos Cow Cover Review

Best Brisket Rub Recipe - Homemade & Award Winning Recipes (13)

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Kosmos Cow Cover Ingredinets

  • Salt
  • Chili Pepper
  • Sugar
  • Dehydrated Garlic
  • Dehydrated Onion
  • Paprika
  • Disodium Inosinate & Guanylate
  • Natural Hickory Smoke Flavor
  • Citric Acid

Kosmos Cow Cover is the product of Kosmos, which is a standard on the competition barbecue. Their products helped win the 2015 World Steak Championships and the 2015 World BBQ Championships You can read more about their history here.

The overall Kosmos Cow Cover rub flavor profile is salty, smokey and savory, with a little kick of heat and spiciness.

This product doesn't contain MSG but has a blend of disodium inosinate & disodium guanylate, which taste just like MSG when combined together. They are both ingredients which are naturally derived from vegetables.

This rub mixture also contains natural hickory smoke flavors, making it ideal for usage of pellet grills, since these type of grills tend to be a little light with the smoke flavor.

The added smoke flavor will make this product a great choice for anyone, since most of home cooked brisket is smoked using an electric or pellet smoker.

Pellet Envy - The Most Powerful Stuff Review

Best Brisket Rub Recipe - Homemade & Award Winning Recipes (14)

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The Most Powerful Stuff Ingredients

  • Salt
  • Sugar
  • Brown Sugar
  • Paprika
  • Monosodium Glutamate
  • Garlic Powder
  • Dehydrated Garlic & Onion
  • Spices & Chili Peppers

This signature rub product is developed by one of the most known and successful bbq cooks in US, the Rod Gray from the Pellet Envy Competition Team.

This rub is called 'The Most Powerful Stuff' and is the only product from Rod that has MSG as an ingredient.

If you want to give this product a try, you can find it online by clicking the link below.

Oakridge Black Ops - Signature Edition Review

Best Brisket Rub Recipe - Homemade & Award Winning Recipes (15)

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Oakridge Signature Edition Ingredients

  • Sea Salt
  • Garlic
  • Black & White Pepper
  • Onion
  • Chilies (Incl. Paprika & Chipotle)
  • Raw Cane Sugar
  • Coriander
  • Bolivian Coffee
  • Shiitake Mushrooms
  • Other Spices

The Oakridge Black Ops Signature Edition is one of the best award winning brisket rub recipe.

The flavor profile is highly impacted from dried chipotles, giving it heat at the right levels. Also, it has a savory flavor from the garlic, pepper and onions and extreme depth from coffee and shiitake mushrooms ingredients.

Oakridge team was converted from a successful competition team to a great provider of rubs and brines in just a few years.

In such short amount of time, the teams that have used their products have won more than 5000 top ten awards.

You can check this product by clicking the link below.

Slap Yo Daddy Beef Moola Review

Best Brisket Rub Recipe - Homemade & Award Winning Recipes (16)

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Slap Yo Daddy Beef Moola Ingredients

  • Sea Salt
  • Maple Sugar
  • Granulated Garlic
  • Cane Sugar
  • Chili Pepper
  • Paprika
  • Black Pepper
  • Worcestershire Sauce
  • Shitake Powder
  • Citric Acid
  • Celery Seed
  • Cornstach
  • Soy Lecithin
  • Other Spices & Natural Flavors

The next on the list, which is also an award winning beef brisket rub is the Slap Yo Daddy BBQ - Beef Moola.

The Slap Yo Daddy team, led by Pitmaster Harry Soo, which has won many awards, developed this rub knowing very well what they are doing.

The uniqueness of this rub is the usage of maple sugar as a primary ingredient, giving it a unique and complex flavor profile.

If you want to check this product, you can click the link down below.

Plowboys Bovine Bold Review

Best Brisket Rub Recipe - Homemade & Award Winning Recipes (17)

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Plowboy's Bovine Bold Ingredients

  • Salt
  • Brown Sugar
  • Paprika
  • Dehydrated Garlic & Onion
  • Sugar
  • Spices (Incl. Chili Peppers)
  • Celery Powder
  • Disodium Inosinate & Guanylate
  • Tumeric

The Plowboys Bovine Bold is one of the most popular and used brisket rub on the KCBS circuit.

Several teams use this recipe as a base rub and add additional ingredients later in the cook.

The overall flavor profile is bold, beautiful and complex at the same time. In addition to the standard salt, garlic, pepper and onion, they have added tumeric and Worcestershire sauce.

If you want to take a better look at this product, you can check it out using the link below:

My Favorite Brisket Rub Recipe

In conclusion, I think that when choosing the best rub for brisket comes down a lot to personal taste. There is always debate to what tastes better.

I tried to include as many products and recipes as possible in this article, but I am sure I have forgotten several others which a lot of people may think that deserve to be in this list.

My personal choice is to go for the Original Texas-Style Brisket Rub Mixture and when I feel like I need something more special, Kosmos Cow Cover or Plowboys Bovine Bold Product also tastes great.

Have in mind that all the other championships award-winning rubs in this list taste great and several people may think that another product tastes a lot better than the one I choose, but as I said earlier, I think it really goes down to personal choice when it comes to picking the rub for your brisket.

How to Properly Apply the Brisket Rub

When it comes to properly applying the brisket rub to the meat, I suggest you to be generous and use lots of rub.

The rub will create a crust around the meat as it smokes, so each bite needs to have flavor. Don't just sprinkle the rub on the beef but massage and cover it. Try to 'work' the rub into the meat, so the flavor gets into it.

Also, make sure to cover all sides of the brisket. Only after you are sure that you have seasoned every inch of the meat, then you are ready to smoke your brisket.

How to Apply Brisket Rub Video Guide

Should You Make Your Own Rub?

I think that making your own dry rub is the better than buying a pre-prepared mixture.

When you prepare all by yourself, you have total control on the ingredients and spices, adjusting the flavor and levels of flavor based on your preferences.

Also, many store-bought products may contain artificial ingredients, which don't have good health benefits.

What is the Best Way to Store a Homemade Brisket Rub?

You can easily store your homemade rub or any other store-bought products in a small air-tight container or mason jar. Just make sure it is sealed well and no air goes in.

You can then place it in the pantry or the refrigerator, based on the products.

Even though some products can be stored for months, there are recipes when spices go bad. How can you tell if the spice is going bad?

You can easily give it a taste test and see if it is still flavorful or it tastes bland. If it doesn't taste as good as it should, then better toss it and make another one. Most of the mixtures contain ingredients which are easy to find and cost only a few dollars, so you can easily prepare a new one.

Our Brisket Cooking Guide Collection

If you are looking for some brisket cooking guide, we have put together the complete brisket cooking guides, including every step you should have in mind in a separate detailed article.

You can read more of them below:

  • Myron Mixon Brisket Recipe
  • Brisket Fat Side Up or Down?
  • How to Reheat Your Leftover Brisket
  • How to Sous Vide Brisket
  • How Long to Smoke Brisket
Best Brisket Rub Recipe - Homemade & Award Winning Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the 3/2:1 rule for brisket? ›

Often used for other meats that require long, slow cooking on the barbecue, such as ribs, the 3-2-1 method essentially involves firstly smoking the meat as it is for three hours, wrapping it for the second two hours, and finally finishing the cooking unwrapped for the last hour.

What is the secret to moist tender brisket? ›

Set the temperature to a low heat, around 225°F to 250°F (107°C to 121°C), and cook the brisket slowly. You can wrap it in foil or use a roasting pan with a lid to help retain moisture. Slow Cooker Method: Using a slow cooker is a convenient and hands-off method.

What should I season my brisket with? ›

The rub has any number of spices, like onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and coarse Kosher salt. A little sweetness comes from brown sugar, which also helps the meat caramelize as it cooks.

How long to leave dry rub on brisket before cooking? ›

You need to allow the brisket to sit and really absorb those flavors...for at least the next 12 hours.

How long does it take a brisket to get to 160 at 225? ›

Set your pellet grill to 225℉ and preheat, lid closed, for 15 minutes. Place brisket on the grill grate fat side down, and cook for approximately 6 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 160℉.

Should brisket be fat side up or down? ›

To set things straight, we're here to put an end to the confusion, so you can get back to the grill with confidence. For brisket cooked to flavorful perfection, fat-side-down is the way to go. This is the only way to achieve a brisket that is perfectly moist with a perfect bark on both sides.

What temperature is brisket most tender at? ›

The brisket is at its most tender when it reaches an internal temperature of around 195 to 205°F (90 to 96°C). However, the exact temperature for peak tenderness can vary based on factors like the cooking method, the grade of the meat, and personal preference.

How do you make brisket more flavorful? ›

Common go-to rubs include seasonings like garlic, herbs, and spices. Just be sure to take it easy on the rub so that your brisket doesn't come out too salty. If you plan to mop or baste your brisket while smoking, be sure to coordinate the flavors properly with your rub. Marinating is another option for smoked brisket.

What should I spray my brisket with to keep it moist? ›

Classic ingredients include beef broth, water, apple juice, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Avoid spices that could clog the spray nozzle. Start spraying the brisket 3-4 hours into cooking, every 30 minutes, until it's time to wrap the brisket.

How to prep brisket the night before? ›

To season your brisket for smoking and for Brisket Burnt Ends, simply rub generously with kosher salt, black pepper, and optional garlic powder. Place the seasoned brisket into the fridge and allow it to dry brine overnight. Now, it's time to cook!

How to get a great bark on brisket? ›

You're going to have to be cooking low and slow to build an awesome bark on your brisket, ribs or pork shoulder. Cooking at high temperatures is going to really make it hard, if not impossible to build a good layer of bark. Keep your grill around 225-degrees or lower for best results.

What is the best flavor for brisket? ›

Oak, for instance, graces the meat with a balanced, smoky nuance. Meanwhile, fruit woods, such as apple and cherry, can imbue a mild sweetness to the meat as the wood burns. The bold signatures of hickory and pecan wood can imbue the beef brisket with their strong flavor and smokiness.

Should you rub brisket covered or uncovered? ›

To use, liberally sprinkle the rub over the entire surface of the meat, coating all sides. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or, ideally, overnight.

Do you rub both sides of brisket? ›

Brisket may seem intimidating, but it doesn't need to be. Follow this "beginners" recipe by seasoning the brisket on both sides, "mopping the sauce," and smoking it fat-side-down.

What is the magic number for brisket? ›

Brisket 203 magic temp - Pitmaster Club.

What is the danger zone for brisket? ›

While smoking meat, you should pay special attention to the temperature danger zone because there is a higher chance of bacteria growth in the meat. Therefore, you need to find the optimum temperature for meat. As mentioned above, the temperature danger zone is 46°F -140°F (8°C-60°C).

Should I pull brisket at 200 or 203? ›

Brisket can be done in a range of 200-210°F (93-99°C), but as a general rule, it's safe to bet on 203°F (95°C). Brisket should be tender but not so tender it's falling apart.

How long should a brisket sit before serving? ›

The sweet spot for resting brisket is 2-3 hours. At the 2-hour mark, the juices are really settled and your brisket will be moist and delicious. If you only have an hour or you don't have a reliable way to keep it warm, resting for an hour is still good. It'll just be a little better if you go the full 3 hours.

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