Can You Smoke A Frozen Brisket? (What You Need To Know)

Brisket is perhaps one of the most popular meats you can smoke and enjoy in burgers, sandwiches, and more. However, this is not the type of meat that you can smoke in a few hours. That is because you will have to plan the smoking of meat and prepare it right. 

Brisket can take an entire night in the smoker before you get tender and delicious meat. So if you want to smoke brisket and have some questions, you are in the right place. Here is what you need to know about smoking a frozen brisket. 

Can You Smoke A Frozen Brisket? (Answered)

Yes, you can technically smoke a frozen brisket, but we recommend against this. That is because such meat will present many problems to you, which include the following:

• It is more likely for the meat to turn out tough if it is frozen 
• The seasoning or rub you use will not easily stick, which means that the brisket will lack flavor
• It will take even longer for the brisket to cook properly if it is frozen 
• The bark will not turn out to be as good
• The process will cause you a lot of hassle as you smoke the frozen brisket

All these are real problems if you try to smoke a frozen brisket. This is why we recommend thawing the brisket before you smoke it. Doing this will ensure that you get perfectly smoked meat without any hassle. 

How To Thaw A Frozen Brisket?

Now that you know that smoking frozen brisket may not be ideal, it is time for you to learn how to thaw it. Here are the steps you can follow to thaw the frozen brisket in no time:

1. Use an airtight wrap or container to cover your brisket. 
2. Fill a container with cold water and place your brisket inside it. 
3. The water will warm the brisket up as you do this. 
4. Check the brisket every fifteen minutes to half an hour so you can switch the water, as it will get cold because of the temperature of the brisket. 
5. Keep doing this until the brisket is thawed. 

Using this method, you can also partially thaw your brisket if you don't want to completely let it thaw. That is because not everyone has the patience and time to let the brisket thaw completely before they want to smoke it. So, it depends on you what you want to do. 

Also Read: How To Cook Frozen Burgers On Traeger Grills?

Step-By-Step Guide To Smoke A Frozen Brisket

If you still want to smoke a frozen brisket, then you can follow a step-by-step guide to make this happen. Here are all the steps you can follow to smoke a frozen brisket without any issues: 

1. Partially Defrost Or Thaw The Brisket 

Many people opt for smoking frozen brisket because they don't have time. If this is the case with you, then we recommend that you at least partially thaw the brisket while your smoker is heating up. Even if it is partially thawed, it will make a significant difference in how the meat tastes.

On the other hand, you can also take out the brisket beforehand and let it thaw for a while. Once this happens, you can move on to the second step. 

2. Time To Add The Rub With A Binder 

You will need a binder for this process because it will provide you with the grip that you require to rub a frozen brisket. We recommend that you go for a simple binder for this process to guarantee less hassle, which includes olive oil or mustard. Make sure that you use a generous portion of the binder to apply it so that it can coat the brisket. 

We recommend using a lot of seasoning for frozen brisket because during the first few hours, your meat is in the smoker, and the moisture will take away a good portion of the seasoning. This is why it is crucial to use more seasoning than usual for the frozen brisket to ensure a flavorful brisket. 

3. Begin The Process Of Smoking Brisket

Now that your meat is ready, it is time to pop it in the smoker so that it can begin cooking. Keep in mind that you should not put the heat on high to fasten the cooking process. Doing this will make things worse, and your meat will easily be overcooked. 

This is why it is important to keep the temperature low and consistent so that it can defrost and then cook without any problems. Besides that, adding frozen brisket to the grill smoker will also lower the temperature because of the cold. So, you have to keep an eye on the temperature of the brisket. 

4. Wrap The Meat When You Like The Bark 

It takes a while for the bark to form on the brisket, and everyone has a unique preference for this. This is why when you are happy with the way the bark looks, we recommend that you wrap the brisket. Another rule of thumb is to wrap it when the internal temperature comes between 155 and 165F. 

Keep in mind that once you wrap the brisket and keep it back in the smoker, the process will remain the same as how you smoke the normal brisket. These are the four difficult steps you will have to pass through to smoke the frozen brisket. Then, it is easy, and your brisket will smoke without problems. 

5. Let The Brisket Rest, Then Serve 

Finally, when the temperature has reached between 195 and 205F, then it is time for you to take out the brisket. You can even check the brisket, as it should probe like butter. Take it out of the smoker and let it rest for as long as you would let the normal brisket rest. 

After that, it is time for you to slice the brisket with a sharp knife and serve it to your friends and family. For example, you can create brisket burgers, sandwiches, and much more. You can even serve brisket slices with other sides to complete the meal. 

Also Read: How Much Smoke Should Come Out Of A Smoker?

FAQs

How Do You Quickly Defrost A Brisket?

The fastest method to thaw a brisket is to use the cold water technique. It will allow a five-pound brisket to defrost in ten hours, while a ten-pound brisket will take double the time. Any other method will take even longer. 

How Long Should I Prepare Brisket Before Smoking?

If you are looking for the best results, then you should prepare the brisket at least one day before you want to use it. This will provide you with the best results that will give you juicy and tender meat in no time. 

Can I Slow Cook Frozen Brisket?

We don’t recommend using frozen brisket inside a slow cooker. It will take a long time, and the results might not be great. This is why it is always better to thaw the meat before you use it. 

Final Words 

That was everything you needed to know about cooking a frozen brisket. You can follow these guidelines to cook the brisket without any problems. However, defrosting it first is the best way to cook this meat.