Smoked Corned Beef Brisket (Easy Pellet Smoker Recipe)

Facebook Pinterest X

A favorite on St. Patrick’s Day (or any time of year), this smoked corned beef is a new way to prepare an old classic. Salty, savory, and smoky flavors combine on your pellet smoker to produce the best corned beef dinner you’ve ever had!

The sliced Smoked Corned Beef on a cutting board.

The finished Smoked Corn Beef on a cutting board before it is sliced.

Table of Contents

Smoked Corned Beef Recipe Tips

I’m sharing my top tips to help you make a brisket with rich flavor, tender texture, and perfect tenderness.

Pat the brisket dry. Dry the meat with paper towels to help the dry rub stick better and create a better crust during smoking.
Let the dry rub sit on the meat before smoking. Doing this gives the flavors time to start penetrating the meat.
Use a good meat thermometer. When smoking meat, temperature is more important than timing. Temperature is more important than time when smoking meat. You want the meat to reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Use a mild wood for smoking. Oak, pecan, hickory, or signature wood pellets are my favorites with this recipe.
Allow the brisket to rest before slicing. This helps make the beef extra juicy.

Ingredients & Estimated Cost:

Recipe Cost: $24.23

Per Serving: $4.03

Here is everything you need to make this recipe, along with a few substitution recommendations.

Corned beef brisket (3 to 5 pounds – $22.00): You can use a smaller brisket if cooking for fewer people, but you will need to adjust the cooking time.
Beef stock(1 cup – $0.70): Use water with a bouillon cube as an alternative.
Ground Black Pepper (2 tablespoons – $0.40): Use freshly ground pepper or coarse black pepper.
Garlic Powder: (2 tablespoons – $0.50): You can use 3-4 minced garlic cloves as a substitute.
Paprika: (1 tablespoon – $0.20): Smoked Paprika will also work well.
Ground Coriander Seed (1 tablespoon – $0.25): Cumin can be used as a substitute.
Onion Powder (1 teaspoon – $0.08): Alternatively, finely minced dried onion flakes can be used.
Ground Mustard Seed (1 teaspoon – $0.10): Substitute 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard if needed.

The recipe cost is calculated based on the amounts needed and may vary due to fluctuating grocery costs.

How To Smoke Corned Beef

Season the brisket with the dry rub, smoke on the smoker grill, smoke it in a pan with beef stock, rest, slice, and serve. Let me show you how.

Rinse and pat dry the brisket.
Combine the spices for your rub together in a small bowl.
Season all sides of the brisket.
Place the brisket on the smoker’s grates and smoke until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
Place the brisket in an aluminum pan and add beef stock to the bottom. Cover with foil and smoke until the internal temperature reaches 205-210 degrees F.
Remove the brisket from the smoker and let the corned beef rest for 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

a collage showing how to make smoked corned beef by smoking it on the grill grates, putting it in a pan with broth, and slicing for serving.

Smoked Corned Beef Brisket FAQs

Do I need to rinse corned beef before cooking it?

Yes, this removes excess salt, so the final taste is not too salty.

Why is my smoked corned beef tough?

If the beef’s internal temperature is not at least 205°F, the meat can be tough.

How do I slice corned beef correctly?

Slice against the grain to shorten the muscle fibers, resulting in tender meat.

What to serve with Smoked Corned Beef?

Serve these Mashed Potatoes, Cooked Carrots, Roasted Potatoes, or Caesar Salad for a complete meal.

What are some ways to use smoked corned beef?

Surprisingly, Corned beef is a meat you can get creative with. Besides eating it by itself as a very, very satisfying meal, you can also use it:
● to make the best sandwiches
● As a part of corned beef hash
● In quesadillas or tacos
● Stuffed in egg rolls
● Stuffed in chicken

Like it? Save for later!

Pin For Later