They say that anything worth having is worth waiting for. The process of smoking a brisket is pretty simple, but if you really want that melt-in-your-mouth beef (and trust us, you do), the key is to take your time and not rush it. Slow-smoked brisket is rich and full of flavor all by itself, so we like staying true to the classic Texas style of simple salt and pepper seasoning. If you've never smoked a brisket before, brace yourself, because that bad boy is going to be cooking for a long while. If you're an early riser, you can get up with the sun, smoke all day, and have a brisket dinner. As an alternative, we like to smoke it overnight, then give it a long rest so it's ready just in time for lunch. If you've never done an overnight smoke, we understand that it might sound a bit scary. But don't you worry, because MEATER will keep you updated at key moments in your cook so you don't have to stand out by the smoker in your bathrobe all night long! Brisket is filling enough that you might not even need to make a side dish. If you're feeling ambitious, balance out your beef with a lighter dish like salad, or some kind of carb like Texas toast or garlic bread (or garlic Texas toast!). Nothing beats a cold beer at a barbecue, and we recommend an IPA to cut through the fat of the brisket, or a stout to enhance the rich and smoky flavor of the meat.