Want BBQ brisket without a smoker? This guide shows you how to cook brisket in the oven so it turns out smoky, tender, and fall-apart juicy every time.
It’s a simple 2-ingredient oven brisket recipe: just brisket and liquid smoke. Bake it low and slow, then slice and reheat with your favorite sauce—perfect for sandwiches, dinner, or feeding a crowd.
This brisket is so simple, anyone can make it—and make it great.
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Featured Comment by Dave:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Thank you for this recipe. I have done 3 so far, and thanks to your simple thorough instructions, they have all been perfect. And it’s so easy!"
🧡 Why You’ll Love This Oven Brisket
- Works with any cut or crowd. Flat, point, or whole—easy to scale up or down.
- Just two ingredients. Brisket and good-quality liquid smoke—skip the cheap stuff.
- Fall-apart tender every time. Low-and-slow baking does all the work.
- BBQ flavor without a smoker. Smoky results, no grill or rubs required.
- Beginner-proof—even from frozen. No trimming, no fuss—just bake and slice.
🐄 Ingredients
- Beef Brisket – Any size or cut
Use flat, point, or whole brisket. Flat cuts are leaner and slice cleaner. Points are thicker and more marbled. No need to trim the fat—you’ll scrape it off after baking. - Liquid Smoke – Good quality matters
Wright’s is the only brand I use or recommend. Skip the cheaper ones—they taste artificial. This gives you smoky BBQ flavor without a smoker. Optional, but highly recommended. - Barbecue Sauce – Your favorite kind
For serving after slicing. Use what you love—Kansas City-style, Memphis, sweet, spicy, or homemade. I reheat brisket with sauce for max flavor.
👨🍳 Quick Overview: How to Cook Brisket in the Oven (BBQ-Style)
1. Coat with Liquid Smoke
Pat the brisket dry and coat all sides with good-quality liquid smoke.
2. Seal tight and bake
Place in a large pan, cover tightly with foil (seal all edges), and bake at 300°F—no need to preheat.
Bake until fork-tender and at least 195°F (200°–205°F preferred), about 1 hour per pound.
✅ Pro Tip: Add 1–2 hours if starting with a frozen brisket.
3. Scrape off the fat and cool
Scrape off the fat cap while still hot. If cooking a whole or flat brisket, separate the layers. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours before slicing. Discard the liquid.
4. Cut across the grain
Cut cross-grain into ⅛ to ¼ inch slices. Or chop if you prefer.
5. Reheat and serve
Coat with BBQ sauce and reheat, covered, at 375°F for about 25 minutes.
👇 Scroll down for the printable recipe card and complete step-by-step photo instructions—or keep reading for tips, veggie options, and serving ideas.
⏰ How Long to Cook Brisket in the Oven
Brisket needs low and slow heat to break down tough connective tissue. The cooking time isn’t exact—it depends on the cut, thickness, and even your oven. A good rule of thumb is about 1 hour per pound at 300°F.
- Thicker briskets (flat, point, or whole) will take longer.
- Whole briskets can run 8 to 10+ hours.
- Frozen briskets may need 1 to 2 extra hours.
👉 Don’t cook by time alone—these numbers are just a starting point. temperature and tenderness.
🌡️ When Is Brisket Done?
TTime only gets you close. Brisket is actually done when it passes two tests:
- Internal temperature: 200°–205°F in the thickest part
- Tenderness: A fork or probe slides in and out with little resistance
If the meat still feels tight or “wiggles,” it needs more time.
✅ Always check with a meat thermometer
✅ Better a little over than a little under✅ Always use a meat thermometer
✅ A little over is better than a little under
❓ FAQs
Plan on ½ pound per person, or more if you want leftovers.
Sandwiches usually hold about ¼ pound, but even light eaters tend to go back for seconds.
Feeding teenage boys? Just go ahead and plan for a pound each.
Liquid smoke is made by condensing wood smoke into liquid form—yep, real smoke. Most store-bought BBQ sauces have it. I only use Wright’s brand; the others taste fake. Look near the Worcestershire sauce in the grocery store.
Bake brisket at 300°F in a tightly sealed pan. That’s hot enough to keep things moving but still low and slow for tenderness—about 1 hour per pound.
You can use 250°F or even 225°F, but it will take a lot longer. No matter what temp you choose, brisket is done only when it hits 200°–205°F and feels fork-tender.
Nope. In this closed-bake method, leave the fat cap on. It’s easy to scrape off after cooking—do it while it’s still hot. That’s also the best time to separate the flat and point if needed.
Yes. With this sealed-pan oven method, you can start from frozen—just add 1 to 2 extra hours of bake time. But always go by tenderness and internal temperature (200°–205°F), not just the clock. Scrape the fat while it’s hot, chill to slice cleanly, then reheat with sauce.
Brisket comes from the lower chest of the cow and includes two muscles:
•Flat (first cut) – A single, lean muscle that’s great for slicing and easy to portion.
•Point (second cut) – Thicker and more marbled. It usually includes part of the flat underneath, separated by a layer of fat—so it often looks like two layers.
You’ll find:
•Whole brisket (packer) – Includes both muscles, 8 to 12+ pounds
•Flats only – Leaner, slices neatly but may be chopped.
•Points – Richer and fattier, best for chopping, but can be sliced if cooked tender enough
Buy Choice or Prime grade for best results.
📍 Diagram courtesy of Texas A&M, used according to published permission. 101 Cooking for Two is not endorsed by the State of Texas or its agencies.
🔪 How to Cut a Brisket
For clean slices, let the brisket cool first—refrigerate for at least 3 hours. Cutting it warm may cause it to fall apart.
If you cooked a whole or flat brisket, separate the flat and point first. Trim any fat between the layers.
Then, slice across the grain—about 90° from the direction the muscle fibers run. Aim for ⅛ to ¼ inch thick.
Prefer chopped brisket? I still recommend slicing first—it keeps the fibers short and avoids long, stringy pieces.
🍽️ Serving BBQ Brisket
Brisket sandwich ideas:
- Use sandwich bread, buns, or soft white bread
- To be a "correct" brisket sandwich in our family, it must be a triple-decker on white Wonder Bread and have Gates BBQ sauce from Kansas City. (Sauce is linked in The Cooking for Two Shop.) Or try Memphis-Style BBQ Sauce.
Other ways to serve it:
- Piled on mac and cheese
- Tucked into wraps or quesadillas
- Chopped into baked beans or hash
Favorite side dishes:
- Baked beans
- Coleslaw
- Potato salad
- French fries or Cheesy Potatoes with Real Potatoes
✅ Side note: My wife has declared many times that her favorite meal is this brisket, Gate's sauce, and her cheesy potatoes... just sayin'.
❄️ Leftover Brisket Storage
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days
- Freeze for up to 4 months—wrap tightly to prevent freezer burn
- Reheat gently with sauce to keep it moist
Grilled Brisket
Cook smoked Grilled Brisket low-and-slow on your backyard gas grill—moist and tender meat with crusty bark and a smokey taste. Make classic BBQ brisket without a smoker.
🔥 Other Classic BBQ Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re into low-and-slow BBQ without a smoker, here are more beginner-friendly recipes that deliver big flavor with simple steps:
- Boston butt in the oven – Fall-apart tender pulled pork with a flavorful bark—no grill or smoker needed.
- Oven Baked Baby Back Ribs – Easy, foil-wrapped ribs that come out tender and saucy every time.
- Pork Butt on Gas Grill – Real smoke flavor on a gas grill with pork shoulder.
- Grilled Baby Back Ribs – Quick-seared then low-and-slow grilled ribs with great bark and bite.
📖The Recipe Card
How to Cook Brisket in the Oven (Smoky, Tender BBQ)
Ingredients
- 4 pounds Beef Brisket - any size will do
- 3-4 tablespoons liquid smoke
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Turn on the oven to 300°F—no need to preheat.
- Pat the brisket dry. Place in a pan fat-side up and coat all sides with 3–4 tablespoons of good-quality liquid smoke.
- Cover tightly with aluminum foil sealed on all edges.
- Bake until *fork-tender* and at least 195°F (200°–205°F preferred). Plan on about 1 hour per pound.
- Scrape off the fat cap while the meat is still hot. If using a whole or point brisket, separate the two layers. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours before slicing. Discard the liquid.
- Slice across the grain into slices that are ⅛ to ¼ inch thick. Or chop if you prefer. To chop, it is best to still slice, then chop the slices.
- Transfer back to a pan, coat with BBQ sauce, and reheat—covered—at 375°F for about 25 minutes.
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips:
- Never undercook brisket. A little too long is better than a little short.
- Always use a good-quality liquid smoke. I only buy Wright’s. If you skip it, find a different recipe.
- Cooking time varies by size and thickness, but typically runs about 1 hour per pound. Add more time for thick points or whole briskets.
- Frozen briskets work fine, but add 1–2 extra hours.
- Don’t go by time alone—always check internal temperature. Aim for 200°–205°F; 195°F is the bare minimum.
- Scrape off the fat after cooking, before cooling.
- Slice cold for cleaner cuts. Hot brisket tends to fall apart.
- Always cut across the grain.
- Chopped is fine, but always slice first to avoid long muscle strands.
- Reheat with sauce, covered in foil, for best moisture.
- Good refrigerated for 3-4 days and frozen for 3-4 months.
Your Own Private Notes
To adjust the recipe size:
You can adjust the number of servings above; however, only the amount in the ingredient list is adjusted, not the instructions.
Nutrition Estimate (may vary)
Editor Note: Originally Published: April 9, 2011. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation. Please enjoy one of our favorite recipes.
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Edwina says
Hello, I was wondering if I fixed the beef brisket in a glass roasting dish if it would turn out like the cast iron? Thank you
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says
Hi Edwina,
Welcome to the blog. Any pan that can be sealed tightly with foil will work. I don't usually use cast iron for this. I prefer a full-size cake pan or a roaster, similar to the one used for a turkey.
Hope that helps.
Dan
Dave Wheeler says
Thank you for this recipe. I have done 3 so far and thanks to your simple thorough instructions they have all been perfect. And it’s so easy! Did pork butt in oven and it was great too. I look forwards to trying some more of your recipes.
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says
Hi Dave,
Welcome to the blog and thanks for the note.
I use both of those recipes almost monthly—to the point that I never look at them even for the rubs.
Dan
Theresa Grant says
I made this tonight, and it was outstanding! I think I may have overcooked it slightly, but temp was 205 and 210, depending on where I took the temperature. I refrigerated it for 4 hours before cutting, but it just fell apart, so I guess chopped it is. What do you think I did wrong? I had a 13 pound whole brisket, and it was done after about 12 hours at 300 degrees. It did have a ton of fat on it, so maybe that is why? Anyway, not complaining, but would like more slices next time.
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says
Hi Theresa,
Welcome to the blog.
Glad it worked well for you. I think your assumption that you were a bit overcooked is probably correct or it wasn't fully cooled before cutting. I think drop your target range by 5 degrees will probably do it and be sure it is cool all the way through before cutting and use a freshly sharpened knife. I don't think the fat had anything to do with it.
Thanks for the note and rating.
Dan
Adam says
Hi,
I was just wondering why you don't season your brisket with either salt or pepper before cooking.
Hope do you prevent the meat from tasting bland? Thanks.
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says
Hi Adam,
It is not bland but just tastes very beefy-brisket. But this should be served with sauce for other flavors. Do you have to use sauce? No, my wife frequently just does a pile on a plate.
Rubs and surface spicing stay on the surface generally (so doest the liquid smoke). If cooked in a dry environment, they will form a crust if there are sugars in the rub and don't really go into the meat to any real extent.
If you feel better, definitely add them in.
Dan
Stephen Riddle says
Hi Dan,
I would like to do this recipe In my slow cooker. Can I send if so can you provide some guidence on time and temp ?
Thanks again for all your great recipes.
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says
Hi Stephen,
Welcome to the blog.
I have never done this is a slow cooker. I suspect it could be done similar to a pork butt. See https://www.101cookingfortwo.com/crock-pot-pulled-pork-butt-right-way/
A couple of things to point out. That recipe uses the crock pot as a mini-oven. Every time the lid is open, it will take a long time for the temperature to recover. And you are cooking to a final internal temperature, never by time due to variations in thickness and the meat.
An old rule of thumb about oven recipes going to crock pat at "4 to 1" meaning 4 hours in a crock pot to one hour in the oven. I don't think you should use that rule. Go by internal temperature, please.
Dan
Susan Kennedy says
Dr Dan
I learned this recipe when I lived in Texas in late 70s to mid 80s. But with a couple differences: first, I poked fork holes in the top side fat before putting on whole bottle of liquid smoke. Then it was put in oven at lowest possible setting and cooked overnight (roughly 8 hours). In morning, removed from oven and placed in fridge until dinner time. I then sliced it thinly and added heated barbecue sauce. Absolutely the best recipe from Texas, almost as good as Texas dump cakes!
Susan from Chicago