Dry Rub for Brisket - What is it?
Feb 08, 2025
“What is a dry rub for brisket”, you ask? Well, that question is answered differently in different parts of the country. Let’s discuss a couple of different styles.
Texas Style Brisket Rub
Texas style brisket rub is probably one of the most popular dry brisket rubs. It is also one of the easiest to use as it only requires two ingredients: salt and pepper.
This beef brisket seasoning creates an amazing bark because of the pepper that is used. In BBQ, pepper creates bark.
Some pitmasters do not mix the salt and pepper together. They apply the pepper first and then the salt second. This ensures the most amount of pepper will stick to the brisket and form the most bark.
If you are a fan of bark, this is your dry rub for brisket.
Sweet Brisket Rub
Another type of brisket rub is a brisket rub with brown sugar. These rubs include brown sugar, white sugar, or both.
There is some controversy over using sugar with beef. Some pitmasters believe that sugar bases rubs should only be used with pork, chicken, or turkey.
This is subjective and ultimately comes down to the individual pitmaster’s palate.
Can you put too Much Seasoning on a Brisket?
It is possible to add too much dry rub on a brisket. However, you have to keep in mind that the brisket rub is only on the exterior of the meat.
A full packer brisket can weigh between ten and sixteen pounds. When the brisket is sliced or cubed, each slice will only have a small amount of brisket rub seasoning.
How Long Should Beef Brisket Seasoning stay on a Brisket?
A dry rub should sit on a brisket for at least 12 hours. This will allow for dry brining to take place. Again opinions differ as some pitmasters will season their brisket and straight to the pit.
Dry Brining
Dry brining is the process of allowing the salt in your brisket rub seasoning to penetrate the meat.
The salt draws moisture out of the meat. This moisture is water, and it mixes with the salt to form a brine. With enough time the meat will absorb the brine deep into the muscle fibers.
The brisket will have so much more flavor, and your family will thank you!
In Conclusion
A dry rub for brisket is a combination of only salt and pepper. It can also be a brisket rub with brown sugar, where sugar and other spices are added.
Regardless if you use the Texas style or a sweet rub, it is a true pitmaster essential for bark formation.
We have an amazing beef brisket seasoning that takes all the guesswork out of seasoning a brisket. It is Butcher BBQ Steak and Brisket Rub!
Take our advice and grab a bottle. Fire up that smoker and let’s get cooking!
Side note...Are you interested in smoking a brisket? We have another blog post that can help - "How to Smoke a Brisket"
