Sous Vide Brisket

Fall-apart tender, juicy sous vide brisket, finished with a proper bark on the grill, smoker or in the oven.

Source
Recipe Info
Servings: 10
Prep: 10m
Cook: 36h
Total: 39h 10m
Ingredients
  • 1 beef brisket (1.8-2.7kg)
  • 60g coarse ground black pepper
  • 70g kosher salt
  • 2 tsp pink curing salt (optional)
  • 1/4 tsp liquid smoke (optional — if finishing in the oven)
Instructions
  1. Set the sous vide to 68°C.
  2. Combine the pepper, salt and pink salt (if using) in a small bowl. Sprinkle the brisket with two-thirds of the mixture and rub to coat. Reserve the remaining spice mixture for finishing.
  3. Add the brisket to a vacuum bag with the liquid smoke, if finishing in the oven (not needed if finishing on the smoker or grill). Cut the brisket into 2-3 pieces if needed to fit the bag. Seal.
  4. Place the bag(s) in the water bath, making sure not to block the intake or output of the sous vide, and cook for 24-36 hours.
  5. Remove the brisket from the water bath and place in a bowl of ice water for 30-45 minutes until it reaches room temperature. (At this point it can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.)
  6. Remove the brisket from the bag and pat very dry with paper towels, then season with the remaining spice mixture.
  7. To finish on the grill: cook fat cap up over indirect heat at about 107°C for 3 hours. Rest for 30 minutes, then slice against the grain and serve.
  8. To finish on a smoker: preheat to 107°C, add the brisket fat cap up and cook for 3 hours. Rest for 30 minutes, then slice against the grain and serve.
  9. To finish in the oven: preheat to 135°C fan (150°C conventional), add the brisket fat cap up and cook for 2-2.5 hours. Rest for 30 minutes, then slice against the grain and serve.