How to Smoke Beef Brisket
Beef · Low & slow smoking · Updated 2026-08-11
The low-and-slow king. Smoke until probe-tender around 203°F, then rest long.
How long to smoke Beef Brisket
Smoke at 225°F for roughly 75 minutes per pound, until the internal temperature reaches 203°F. Then rest 60 minutes.
| Weight | Smoker temp | Estimated time |
|---|---|---|
| 6 lb | 225°F | 7 hrs 30 min |
| 12 lb | 225°F | 15 hrs |
| 18 lb | 225°F | 22 hrs 30 min |
Smoking times vary with weather, your smoker and the stall — always cook to temperature, not the clock.
Calculate exact time → Temperature chart
Time is a planning range
Estimated window: weather, starting temperature, thickness, airflow, wrapping and lid opening can shift the cook by 20% or more.
Start checking early: begin probing before the calculated finish and stop by temperature and texture, not by the clock.
Safety vs ideal texture
| Safety context | Confirm the food-specific safe minimum separately from a tenderness target. |
|---|---|
| Recipe target | 203°F |
| Why they may differ | This high finish temperature is mainly a tenderness target for collagen-rich meat, not the minimum temperature at which the meat first becomes safe. |
| Rest | 60 minutes before slicing or pulling |
What changes the cook time?
- Thickness and shape matter more than weight alone for many cuts.
- Cold, wind and repeated lid opening extend the cook.
- Wrapping speeds the cook but softens bark.
- Thermometers should be checked in more than one spot and away from bone.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to smoke beef brisket?
At 225°F, plan 75 minutes per pound — about 15 hrs for a 12 lb beef brisket at 225°F. Cook until it reaches 203°F internal.
What temperature do you smoke beef brisket at?
A smoker temperature of 225°F works well, pulling the meat at an internal temp of 203°F.
What internal temp for beef brisket?
Target 203°F internal for beef brisket.