Cooking a 20 lb brisket typically takes around 10-12 hours at a low temperature of 225-250°F (107-121°C) to ensure tenderness and flavors are well-developed.
How long does it take to cook a 20 lb brisket?
Cooking a 20 lb brisket is a culinary endeavor that requires time, patience, and precision. The goal is to achieve a tender, flavorful brisket that is worth the wait. Let’s delve deeper into the process, exploring the optimal cooking time, temperature, and techniques.
Typically, it takes around 10-12 hours to cook a 20 lb brisket at a low temperature of 225-250°F (107-121°C). Slow cooking at a low temperature allows the collagen in the brisket to break down, resulting in a tender and succulent final product. This prolonged cooking time ensures that the flavors are well-developed and the meat is juicy.
A famous quote by renowned chef and television personality, Julia Child, perfectly captures the essence of slow cooking, “The best way to execute French cooking is to get good and loaded and whack the hell out of a chicken. Bon appétit.”
Now, let’s uncover some interesting facts about cooking a brisket:
-
Variations in cooking time: While the suggested cooking time is 10-12 hours, it’s important to note that individual factors such as the thickness of the brisket, the cooking equipment used, and personal preferences can influence the cooking time. It’s advisable to use a meat thermometer to gauge the doneness of the brisket accurately.
-
Importance of the stall: During the cooking process, you may encounter a phenomenon known as the “stall.” The stall refers to a period when the internal temperature of the brisket plateaus and may even decrease slightly. This occurs due to evaporative cooling as the meat sweats and moisture evaporates from the surface. It is a crucial part of the cooking process and helps in the development of a beautiful bark on the brisket.
-
Resting time: Once the brisket reaches the desired internal temperature of around 195-205°F (90-96°C), it is essential to let it rest before slicing. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute within the meat, resulting in a more moist and tender brisket. Aim for a resting time of at least one hour, loosely tenting the brisket with foil.
To present the cooking time and temperature information more visually, here is a table:
| Weight of Brisket | Cooking Time | Cooking Temperature |
| 20 lb | 10-12 hours | 225-250°F (107-121°C) |
In conclusion, cooking a 20 lb brisket requires hours of slow cooking at a low temperature, resulting in a tender and flavorful meat that is well worth the wait. Remember to embrace the process, savor the aroma, and enjoy the journey of creating a mouthwatering brisket. As Julia Child would say, “The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook.”
Video answer to your question
In this YouTube video, the YouTuber shares his process for smoking a 20-pound brisket on a pellet smoker. He explains that he starts by cooking the brisket fat side down to ensure even cooking. Once he achieves the desired bark, he wraps the brisket, flipping it upside down with the fat on top. He then demonstrates how to cut the brisket to separate the flat from the point. The final result is described as juicy, fatty, beautiful, and tender, leaving the YouTuber satisfied with his smoking outcome.
Other viewpoints exist
Brisket is done when it reaches 203° internally. Smoke a 10 lbs brisket for 6-9 hrs and then rest for at least 1 hour. Smoke a 15 lbs brisket for 10-12 hrs and then rest for at least 1 hour. Smoke a 20 lbs brisket for 12-16 hrs and then rest for at least 1 hour.
I am sure you will be interested in these topics as well
How long does it take to cook a 21 lb brisket?
Response to this: You’ll need to cook brisket at 250° for about 30-40 minutes per pound. Upping the temperature to 250°, from the established tried and true rule of smoking at 225°, has some shocking and actually delicious results! You see, when we smoke brisket at 225° F the timing is around 1-1.25 hours per lb.
How long to smoke a 20 lb brisket at 250?
Answer to this: How Long To Smoke A Brisket At 250?
| Weight Of Brisket In Pounds | Time It Takes To Smoke Brisket At 250 Degrees |
|---|---|
| 17 lb. Brisket | 17-25.5 Hours |
| 18 lb. Brisket | 18-27 Hours |
| 19 lb. Brisket | 19-28.5 Hours |
| 20 lb. Brisket | 20-30 Hours |
Is 20 pound brisket too big?
The answer is: Unless you are feeding a crowd, brisket can be too large. The average size of brisket is 15-18 pounds, and some can be up to 20 pounds. On average, you need one pound per person, so a whole packer of 15 lb is enough to feed 15 people.
How long to smoke a 20 lb brisket at 275?
The answer is: If you have a 20 pound brisket, it could take up to 18-20 hours to smoke at 275 degrees Fahrenheit. This includes trimming, injecting seasonings and more, so be prepared for a long smoking session! To ensure tenderness and juiciness, allow 30 minutes per pound of the cut.
How long does it take to smoke a brisket?
The answer is: To get a rough idea of how many hours to allow for preparing a brisket, we recommend following these guidelines. At 225 F, smoking a brisket takes about 1.5 to two hours per pound. At 250 F, it takes one to 1.5 hours per pound. At 300 F, it takes 30-45 minutes per pound.
What is the ideal temperature for smoking a brisket?
Answer will be: The brisket can range between 5-15 pounds. This means that the cooking time may vary considerably. Smoker temperature of 12-18lbs should be 225 degrees F and the smoking time would be between 10-12 hours. While the finishing temperature should be 200 degrees F.
How many hours per pound to smoke brisket?
In reply to that: When it comes to smoking brisket there is a general rule of thumb that everyone tends to defer to. And that unwritten law is this – it takes an hour per pound to smoke a brisket. That means that if your cut weighs two and a half pounds, it’ll take roughly two and half hours to smoke it from the moment that your smoker gets up to temperature.
How long does it take to smoke a brisket?
To get a rough idea of how many hours to allow for preparing a brisket, we recommend following these guidelines. At 225 F, smoking a brisket takes about 1.5 to two hours per pound. At 250 F, it takes one to 1.5 hours per pound. At 300 F, it takes 30-45 minutes per pound.
What is the ideal temperature for smoking a brisket?
As a response to this: The brisket can range between 5-15 pounds. This means that the cooking time may vary considerably. Smoker temperature of 12-18lbs should be 225 degrees F and the smoking time would be between 10-12 hours. While the finishing temperature should be 200 degrees F.
How many hours per pound to smoke brisket?
In reply to that: When it comes to smoking brisket there is a general rule of thumb that everyone tends to defer to. And that unwritten law is this – it takes an hour per pound to smoke a brisket. That means that if your cut weighs two and a half pounds, it’ll take roughly two and half hours to smoke it from the moment that your smoker gets up to temperature.