Tried two different brisket rubs side by side on my offset smoker

I smoked two identical briskets from the same butcher, one with just salt and pepper and the other with a complex 12-ingredient rub. The simple one had a better bark and cleaner beef flavor. What's your go-to rub for a central Texas style brisket?

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3 Comments

angelapalmer5mo ago

Cleaner beef flavor" is why I stick with just coarse salt and pepper.

3

noahhall5mo ago

My third brisket proved @angelapalmer right, salt and pepper only.

2

webb.linda5mo ago

That comment about "cleaner beef flavor" really stuck with me too. I did my first brisket with a fancy rub I bought at the store, and it was fine but something was off. The second time I went with just coarse salt and pepper, and the difference was night and day. You can actually taste the meat instead of a bunch of spices fighting each other. Now I won't do it any other way, it lets the smoke do its job and the beef speak for itself.

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