Smoked Brisket Tacos Pickled Onion (Print Version)

Smoked brisket in warm tortillas topped with tangy pickled red onion, cilantro and a squeeze of lime.

# What You'll Need:

→ Brisket

01 - 1.5 lbs (700 g) beef brisket
02 - 1 tbsp kosher salt
03 - 1 tbsp black pepper
04 - 2 tsp smoked paprika
05 - 1 tsp garlic powder
06 - 1 tsp onion powder
07 - 1 tbsp brown sugar
08 - 1–2 cups beef broth (for keeping brisket moist during smoking)

→ Pickled Red Onion

09 - 1 large red onion, thinly sliced
10 - 1 cup apple cider vinegar
11 - 1/2 cup water
12 - 2 tbsp sugar
13 - 1 tsp salt

→ Tacos and Garnishes

14 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas
15 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
16 - 2 limes, cut into wedges
17 - Optional: crumbled queso fresco, sliced jalapeños, avocado slices

# Directions:

01 - In a small bowl, combine kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and brown sugar. Rub this mixture all over the brisket.
02 - Preheat your smoker to 225°F (110°C). Place the brisket in the smoker, fat side up. Smoke for about 6 hours, spritzing occasionally with beef broth to keep moist. Brisket is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 195–203°F (90–95°C) and is fork-tender.
03 - Remove brisket from the smoker. Wrap in foil and let rest 30 minutes. Slice thinly against the grain.
04 - While brisket is cooking, place red onion slices in a heatproof jar. In a small saucepan, bring vinegar, water, sugar, and salt to a simmer. Pour hot liquid over the onions. Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate at least 1 hour (overnight for best flavor).
05 - Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or directly over a flame. Fill each with slices of brisket. Top with pickled red onion, fresh cilantro, and any additional desired garnishes. Squeeze with lime juice before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The pickled red onion adds a tangy, crisp pop that makes every bite jump.
  • Smoked brisket is juicy and deeply flavored, and easy to slice or shred for taco night glories.
02 -
  • Don’t rush the resting step—slice too soon, and all the brisket’s glorious juices will run out onto the board instead of staying in your taco.
  • I once skipped spritzing with broth and paid in dry brisket; keeping it hydrated makes a world of difference.
03 -
  • Be patient—some days it’s done at 6 hours, others it’ll want more. Trust your fork more than your clock.
  • If pickling onions ahead, use a mix of red and white slices for fun color and layered sharpness.
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