(Quick and Easy Guide) How Long To Cook a 14 lb Brisket

So you’ve decided to have a barbeque and you’re preparing to cook up a beef brisket. But not just any brisket… it weighs in at 14 pounds! A raw brisket that starts off at 14 pounds can feed about 14 people, even after the size of the brisket reduces about half or a third after it’s trimmed and the fat is burned off. The sweet, smoky barbecue flavor of freshly picked beef and is sure to wow your guests.

Given the weight of the brisket, your cooking process is limited to either smoking it for 14 hours or longer, using an oven on as low as temperature possible for many hours – too much heat can make it tough – or a slow cooker so long as it holds at least 6 quarts in order to prevent spillover when cooking at its highest temperature setting. 

How Long To Cook A 14 lb Brisket

Here is a list of factors that can affect how long it will take to cook your brisket: the type of smoker you are using, the quality of your meat, and how much you are cooking at a time. 

The USDA Prime brisket has a lot of marbling, which means there is a lot of fat throughout. This makes it the perfect and best brisket. Not every grocery store carries this type of cut though.

 

A good rule of thumb for estimating cook time is 1 pound equals 1 hour at 250 degrees F (about 121 degrees C.). Season the whole packer brisket liberally with the seasoning rub before smoking. For 14 pounds, expect approximately 14 hours until the internal temperature reaches 190-200 degrees Fahrenheit. Set the smoker to 250 degrees F with your favorite wood chips or pellets.

After checking the temperature of the brisket with a meat thermometer, it is recommended to let it rest for about an hour and then cook until the internal temperature drops to 145 degrees F.

This will allow the juices in the brisket to redistribute and make sure that your end product is cooked evenly.

For the best results, slow cooking at a low temperature results in a more tender bite. This is because it allows you to make on-the-fly cooking duration changes if needed be, which is more forgiving than cooking at a higher temperature.

 

How Long To Cook A 14 lb Brisket – The Quick or Quicker Method

One way to shorten the cooking time is to bring the meat to room temperature before cooking. 

Another pro tip to cook a brisket quickly is by cooking it at a high temperature. This technique is often disputed in the BBQ community, but some people swear by it. To make the best-quality brisket using this method, you’ll need to use a quality meat thermometer. This will ensure that your meat isn’t overcooked and ends up being dry and crusty. 

Preheat your smoker to 350 degrees F. Place the beef in a foil packet and place it inside the smoker fat cap down. Brisket should be turned so that the fat side is facing up once internal temperature reaches 170 degrees F.

When the thermometer reads 203 degrees F, it is done. If the brisket is still too tough after being smoked, you can leave it in the smoker a little longer.

Many barbecue enthusiasts wait until the meat stalls before using this crutch method. This is the point in the cooking process when the internal temperature ceases to rise and instead remains relatively constant.  

Another way to speed up the cooking process is to transfer your brisket from the smoker to the oven.

These are some pro tips to shorten the entire process if you don’t have enough time.

 

How long does it take to smoke 14 lb brisket at 225?

The general rule of thumb is to smoke (or bake) the brisket for 225 degrees F. for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours per pound. A 14-pound brisket could take upwards of 28 hours to reach an ideal internal temperature of 190-200 degrees Fahrenheit. Smokers generally aim for 250 degrees, which translates to about an hour per pound.

 

How Long Does It Take to Grill a 14 lb Brisket?

You can save up to four hours cooking a brisket on the grill by following the right steps. A 14-pound brisket will take 9-10 hours on the grill if you follow the instructions correctly.

To prevent uneven charring by the grill’s hot fire, first place the brisket on a layer of aluminum foil. This will create a pot shape from tin foil and help to prevent the brisket from sticking to the grill.

 

Rubbed brisket beef on grill

 

Place a layer of tin foil over the top of the meat. Add water to the foil and seal it tightly around the meat. The water will trap moisture with the meat, resulting in a more tender bake.

 

How long to cook a 14 lb brisket in a roaster oven?

To cook a brisket, you need to follow a similar strategy as when cooking it on the grill. First, place the brisket in a covered roasting pan and add water into the bottom of the pan to trap moisture. Next, roast the brisket at a cooking temperature of 250 degrees Fahrenheit for one hour per pound. Check the internal temperature with the oven thermometer, and ensure it has reached 190-200 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Bake the brisket for an additional 45 minutes to an hour, until it reaches an internal temperature of 200-205 degrees. Brisket needs to rest after being cooked. Loosely tent it with foil and allow the brisket to rest for an additional 30 minutes before slicing.

The brisket shall be cut against the grain. Breaking up the muscle fibers evenly helps to make the meat much more tender in every slice.

 

How long does it take to cook a 13 lb brisket?

Season the brisket with dry rub before smoking. Plan about 8 hours at 225 degrees Fahrenheit for 13 or 12-pound brisket to reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. However, during the stall phase, the brisket will enter into a range between 145 degrees Fahrenheit and 165 degrees Fahrenheit where the liquid evaporating from the surface of the brisket will cool it while the grill is trying to cook it. This is called ‘the stall,’ and different smokers experience this phase differently. A good thermometer can help you determine when this phase begins for you. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the brisket. 

Next, smoke the brisket for another 5 to 8 hours by wrapping it in butcher paper. Then set it in a cooler and allow it to rest for a while. This allows the brisket to be more tender and juicy.

 

What is the best way to season a brisket?

Some popular methods for seasoning whole brisket include salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and cumin. Some people also like to add maple syrup or BBQ sauce before cooking which gives the brisket a nice flavor. 

 

How long should I smoke a 16 lb brisket?

The general rule of thumb is to plan on about an hour per pound. Smoke times for a 16-pound brisket cooked at 250 degrees Fahrenheit shall be about 16 hours. The entire process of trimming, injecting, seasoning, and cooking will take about 24 hours.

 

How long do you cook a brisket at 325 degrees?

Bake the brisket in an oven for about 8 hours at 325 degrees, surrounded by onions, garlic, and beef broth. Cooking beef brisket in the oven is a slow process that requires about an hour per pound. The internal temperature of the meat reaches 185 degrees when it’s done.

After cooking, let the beef sit, covered with aluminum foil for an hour so that the juices can settle and give it a more flavorful end result.

 

How much brisket do I need for one person? 

A good rule of thumb is that 1/2 pound of brisket will serve one person. However, this amount can vary depending on the size and thickness of the brisket, as well as what else you’re serving. If you have some hearty eaters and want to feed them more than just a single slice or chunk of meat, an extra couple pounds would be nice.

 

How long does it take to cook a 15 lb brisket at 350 degrees?

At 350 degrees Fahrenheit, your brisket will cook more quickly. However, you’re more likely to get a drier and less flavorful result.

Put the beef in a foil packet and place it inside the smoker fat side down. Smoke until the internal temperature reaches 170 degrees F.

If the thermometer reads 203 degrees Fahrenheit, it is time to remove the brisket from the smoker. If it is still too tough after being smoked, you can leave it in the smoker for a little longer. This method will have you eating in about half the time.

 

Is brisket done at 205?

Cooking the brisket to an internal temperature of 205 degrees Fahrenheit ensures that all the connective tissues, collagen, and fat within the meat are rendered down. 

You will have a higher success rate by letting the brisket reach a temperature of 205 degrees Fahrenheit before removing it from the grill or smoker. Make sure the probe can easily enter all parts of the brisket without any resistance. That is an effective method to know when to pull the brisket. Next, you can place it in a cooler and let it rest for up to an hour.

 

How long do you cook a brisket at 275 degrees?

If you want your beef brisket to be cooked evenly and come out succulent and juicy, it should cook at a rate of 30-45 minutes per pound at 275 degrees F. A brisket weighing 15 pounds at 275 degrees F. should cook in 7.5 to 11 hours.

 

Do you smoke a brisket fat side up or down?

Brisket should be rotated at least once during the cooking process to ensure even cooking. If you need the fat to shield the meat from the heat, cook it over indirect heat for most of its cooking time.

 

Should I rub mustard on brisket?

Adding mustard to your dry rub can give it a richer flavor. To flavor a brisket with a dry rub and mustard pairing, add the mustard first and then add the seasoning. This will help to ensure that the dry rub sticks to the mustard’s surface, which will then allow them to be more easily absorbed by the brisket. Additionally, vinegar in the mustard helps bring out flavors in ingredients.

 

Does brisket shrink when you cook it?

The brisket will shrink by about 30 to 40 percent during the smoking process. The natural moisture in meat evaporates due to the heat, causing the meat to shrink. 

 

Final Thoughts

Making a Texas-style smoked brisket is an investment of both time and money – but it’s actually quite simple, assuming you know the basics. It will take a long time, but it’s not as difficult as you might think. Just be sure to follow all the instructions carefully!

The brisket recipe is straightforward and you don’t need to make any adjustments.

A two-ingredient rub is the perfect starting point for a great Texas-style smoked brisket. Then smoke for hours and hours until it is perfect. This is something that your guests will love and not be able to get enough of. It is also very flavorful, so you will be able to enjoy every bite.

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