Prepping a Brisket With Aaron Franklin

Prepping a Brisket With Aaron Franklin

​In this video, Aaron Franklin, ​​a Texas barbecue legend, will show you how to ​choose a good brisket and then trim and season ​it for the smoker.

I enjoyed this video and ​am sharing ​a few of the highlights ​for you here:​


​How to Choose a Good Brisket

  • ​Brisket is a tough, potentially unsavory cut of meat. Look for ​a brisket with ​a lot of marbling in the point,​ and a thick flat​.

​How to Trim a Brisket

  • ​Use a narrow, curved boning knife for trimming the brisket. ​(We carry these in our store.)
  • ​If you trim too much fat off, the brisket will be ​dry. If you don't trim enough, it will be too fatty. ​A 1/4" fat cap is usually about right, but it depends on your smoker and how hot you cook it.
  • ​A brisket is ​a lot easier and safer to trim when it's cold.
  • ​Trim down the fat cap, remove the deckle and the small membrane next to the deckle. Square up the thinnest part of the flat to shape it nicely. ​Cut off some of the thick vein of fat between the point and the flat muscles.
  • ​Remove the silver skin if you are only doing one or two briskets; ​don't spend too much time with this.

How to Season a Brisket

  • ​A lot of people ​use complex rubs for brisket, but Aaron uses equal parts of kosher salt and black ground pepper. ​The grains of salt sink to the bottom, so you might need to keep mixing it as you're dispensing it.
  • "If you had a shaker, it'd be pretty neat." —Aaron Franklin
  • ​Sprinkle an even layer over the entire surface of the brisket on both sides. Aaron says you don't want to overpower the flavor of the meat; be conservative with the rub.
  • ​​Let it warm up for about an hour before you put it on the smoker. Aaron thinks it helps the brisket cook more evenly.

​"​The biggest mistake people make is putting too much rub on this stuff... you ​want the flavor of the meat to shine through." —Aaron Franklin


Hungry for more of Aaron Franklin? ​Check out this 20+ minute video of him cooking brisket on an offset smoker: https://video.klru.tv/video/bbq-franklin-episode-1-brisket/

Now go cook a great brisket!

D​id you know we carry Wagyu briskets, smokers, accessories, and everything else you need to cook outdoors?​ Call us at (717) 355-0779 or visit us at 140 W Main Street in New Holland, PA to check out our full line of barbecue ​equipment and supplies or for help planning a successful barbecue party.

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Meadow Creek Barbecue Supply is a specialty BBQ equipment and supply store in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

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140 W Main St in New Holland
Phone: 717-355-0779

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