Ingredients
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Check off ingredients as you prep.
- 4-5 lb beef brisket flat, trimmed
- 4 tbsp Salted Perfection Santa Maria Select Blend
- 2 tbsp olive oil (as a binder)
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar (for spritzing)
- 1 cup water (for spritzing)
Step by step
- Fire up your smoker to 225°F. If you can get your hands on red oak wood, use it—that's the authentic coastal flavor profile.
- Trim the hard fat cap on the brisket down to about a quarter-inch. You want protection, not a rubber tire.
- Coat the brisket lightly with olive oil, then hit it hard with the Salted Perfection Santa Maria Select Blend. Pat the seasoning into the meat so it sticks; don't just sprinkle it.
- Place the brisket in the smoker, fat side up. Close the lid and let the smoke do the work.
- Mix the vinegar and water in a spray bottle. After the first 3 hours, give the meat a quick spritz every hour to keep the surface moist without washing off your bark.
- When the internal temperature hits the 'stall' around 165°F, you can wrap it tight in butcher paper to push through, or leave it naked for a crunchier bark.
- Pull the meat when it hits an internal temp of 203°F and the probe slides in like it's going into room-temperature butter.
- Rest the brisket for at least one hour before slicing. This is non-negotiable.
- Slice against the grain in pencil-thick slices. DUNZO!
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A little more about this recipe
Timing
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
Yield & storage
Original yield
Storage
Wrap leftovers tight and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
From Tony’s kitchen
We're taking a heavy hitter cut of beef and giving it a lighter, West Coast attitude. Instead of the usual heavy sugar rubs, we're using the Santa Maria blend to bring a savory, garlic-forward punch with a hint of citrus that cuts right through the rich fat. It's low, slow, and cleaner than your standard BBQ joint fare.
Nutrition • per serving
Ingredient notes
Ingredients & allergen check
Major-allergen signals: None recognized automatically.
- Beef brisket flat, trimmed
- Salted Perfection Santa Maria Select Blend
- olive oil (as a binder)
- apple cider vinegar
- water
Santa Maria blend: Sea salt, Garlic, Black pepper, Grapefruit, Paprika, Onion, Rosemary, Mustard, and Spices
Check every package label. Brands, substitutions, shared equipment, and cross-contact can change allergen exposure.
