How to Smoke a Brisket on a Pellet Grill

If you’re wondering how to smoke a brisket on a pellet grill, we’ve got your answer! In this recipe we’ll show you how to smoke a tender, juicy and delicious brisket.

5 from 67 votes

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Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 7 30

Total Time: 7 40

Servings

Calories: 1070kcal

Author: Laura Lynch

Equipment

Smoker

Ingredients

6 pound whole brisket trimmed
1 1/2 tablespoons Kosher salt
1 1/2 tablespoons ground black pepper
1 1/2 tablespoons garlic powder
Smoky Bourbon BBQ Sauce optional

Instructions

Mix the seasonings in a bowl. Season the brisket using all of the seasoning mix. Wrap the brisket and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight if possible.
When ready to cook, start the grill on smoke with the lid open for 5 minutes for the fire to establish. Set the Traeger temperature to 225°F. Preheat with the lid closed for 10-15 minutes.
Unwrap the brisket and place it, fat-side down, on the grill. Insert a meat thermometer probe into the thickest part.
Close the lid and cook for about 5 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
Remove the brisket and wrap it in butcher paper or tin foil to form a packet around the meat. Place it back on the grill at 225°F until the internal temperature reaches 203°F, about 2 1/2 hours. Remove from the grill and rest, still wrapped, for at least 30 minutes to 2 hours before slicing.
Serve with smoky Bourbon BBQ sauce.

Notes

The fattier the piece of brisket you buy, the juicier the meat will be. Err on the side of fatty for a super fall-apart, amazing brisket.
Smaller briskets will need less time to cook, but you still need to cook it to the same internal temp, so be sure to use a meat probe.
Using butcher paper will allow the smoke to reach the meat, while tin foil doesn’t do that as well, so use butcher paper if you can.

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