Black Bark Beef Brisket Pizza Recipe
I absolutely love this recipe because it’s a mouthwatering fusion of smoky, savory brisket and gooey, melted cheese all wrapped up on a crispy, barbecue-sauced crust—it’s basically a BBQ feast on a pizza! Plus, the kick from the pickled jalapeños and the zesty hint of red onions makes every bite an adventure that my taste buds can’t get enough of.
I have a passion for crafting one-of-a-kind pizza recipes, and my Black Bark Beef Brisket Pizza is one succulent surprise after another. It starts with a pound of smoked beef brisket, and a barbecue sauce, in my opinion, that’s most certainly not for the meek.
Poured onto a pre-made crust, it gets the jiggle treatment, so the sauce can sink down to where it really needs to be, and the beef brisket can loosely mound with mozzarella, sharp cheddar, and ambitious red onion and jalapeño toppings.
Ingredients
Smoked Beef Brisket:
With a protein content worthy of the name, and an abundance of smoky flavor that could only be derived from an animal; chicken, in this case, and a dose of ranch seasoning that makes everything taste better, these add-ins bring your Insta-pot to a new level of game-day deliciousness.
Pizza Crust:
Serves as a base for toppings, supplies the carbohydrates, and brings the crispy texture.
Barbecue Sauce:
Imparts sweetness and tartness; sharpens flavors with seasoning.
Mozzarella Cheese:
Melty and creamy, it delivers calcium and has a subtle flavor.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese:
Adds a piquant zest, loaded with proteins and fats.
Red Onion:
Provides sweetness, adds a little crunch, and contains antioxidants.
Pickled Jalapeños:
A spicy punch, an acidic counterpoint, heaping helpings of heat and zest.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 pound smoked beef brisket, chopped
- 1 pre-made pizza crust (12-inch)
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup pickled jalapeños, sliced
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon cornmeal (optional, for dusting)
Instructions
1. Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) to preheat. Prepare a baking sheet or pizza stone, if you’d like, by sprinkling it with enough cornmeal to cover the surface. The cornmeal will work as a nonstick agent.
2. In a small dish, combine olive oil, black pepper, and garlic powder. Use this mixture to baste the pre-made pizza crust evenly on all sides.
3. Distribute the barbecue sauce uniformly over the crust, maintaining a small border around the edges.
4. Evenly layer half of the mozzarella and cheddar cheese over the barbecue sauce.
5. Chopped smoked beef brisket should be evenly distributed over the cheese layer.
6. Finish the brisket with the leftover mozzarella and cheddar cheese.
7. Evenly distribute the paper-thin red onions and the jalapeño pickles across the pizza.
8. Put the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
9. Take the pizza out of the oven and allow it to cool for a minute or two to let the cheese set.
10. If desired, freshly chopped cilantro can be used to garnish. The food can be sliced and served hot.
Equipment Needed
1. Oven
2. Baking sheet or pizza stone
3. Small dish
4. Pastry brush (for basting)
5. Spoon or spatula (for spreading sauce)
6. Knife (for chopping ingredients)
7. Cutting board
8. Cheese grater (if cheese is not pre-shredded)
9. Measuring cups and spoons
10. Pizza cutter or knife (for slicing pizza)
FAQ
- Can I make the brisket at home instead of buying smoked beef brisket?Certainly! If you have the right equipment, you can smoke your own beef brisket at home. Just make sure you’re cooking it low and slow until it’s tender enough to slice and use as a smoky topping for the pizza.
- What’s the best way to store leftover pizza?An airtight container in the refrigerator is where you store leftover pizza if you want it to maintain a quality, refrigerated texture. Up to 3 days is the time you can keep it there before it will have a different texture. It will taste and feel better if you heat it in the oven rather than in any other reheating apparatus.
- Is there a substitute for pickled jalapeños if I don’t like spicy food?The jalapeños can be omitted or replaced with sweet bell peppers for a milder flavor.
- Can I use a different type of cheese?Certainly! You may use other cheeses, such as Monterey Jack or Gouda, for different flavor profiles.
- Do I need to use the cornmeal for dusting?Adding cornmeal is not required, but it does help keep the pizza from adhering to the pizza stone or the baking sheet while imparting a hint of texture.
- What if I don’t have a pre-made pizza crust?From scratch or store-bought, there are many different kinds of pizza dough you can use:
—Make your own from scratch.
—Use a different store-bought dough, such as naan or flatbread.
- Can I make this pizza on a grill?Indeed, the pizza can be cooked on the grill. To do so, heat the grill to a medium-high temperature and set the crust directly onto the grates. Execute the same sequence of actions as for oven baking, modifying the times somewhat if needed.
Substitutions and Variations
1 pound smoked beef brisket, chopped: Replace with smoked pulled pork or rotisserie chicken.
1 store-bought pizza crust (12 inches): A homemade pizza crust, or a pizza crust made with riced cauliflower, can be substituted; the latter is more of a low-carb option.
1/2 cup barbecue sauce: Mix tomato sauce and hot sauce for a spicier flavor to use in place of barbecue sauce.
One cup of mozzarella cheese, shredded: For a creamier texture, substitute provolone for the mozzarella.
1/4 cup sliced pickled jalapeños: Substitute fresh jalapeños or poblanos for a milder heat.
Pro Tips
1. Cheese Layering for Optimal Melt: When layering the mozzarella and cheddar cheese, place a small amount under the brisket and reserve most of it for the top layer. This helps the brisket stay moist while allowing the cheese to melt more evenly and form a delicious crust on top.
2. Customizing Spice Level: For those who enjoy a spicier kick, consider mixing a bit of the pickled jalapeño juice into the barbecue sauce before spreading it on the crust. This infuses the pizza with extra flavor without overwhelming heat.
3. Crispier Crust Tip: If you prefer a crisper crust, consider pre-baking the pizza crust for 3-5 minutes before adding any toppings. This technique can prevent the crust from getting soggy.
4. Smoky Flavor Enhancement: If you want to emphasize the smoky notes, sprinkle a little smoked paprika over the brisket before adding the top layer of cheese. It enhances the smokiness and adds depth to the flavor profile.
5. Cooling Time Trick: Allowing the pizza to rest for a few minutes after baking not only sets the cheese but also makes slicing easier and prevents the toppings from sliding off.
Black Bark Beef Brisket Pizza Recipe
My favorite Black Bark Beef Brisket Pizza Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Oven
2. Baking sheet or pizza stone
3. Small dish
4. Pastry brush (for basting)
5. Spoon or spatula (for spreading sauce)
6. Knife (for chopping ingredients)
7. Cutting board
8. Cheese grater (if cheese is not pre-shredded)
9. Measuring cups and spoons
10. Pizza cutter or knife (for slicing pizza)
Ingredients:
- 1 pound smoked beef brisket, chopped
- 1 pre-made pizza crust (12-inch)
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup pickled jalapeños, sliced
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon cornmeal (optional, for dusting)
Instructions:
1. Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) to preheat. Prepare a baking sheet or pizza stone, if you’d like, by sprinkling it with enough cornmeal to cover the surface. The cornmeal will work as a nonstick agent.
2. In a small dish, combine olive oil, black pepper, and garlic powder. Use this mixture to baste the pre-made pizza crust evenly on all sides.
3. Distribute the barbecue sauce uniformly over the crust, maintaining a small border around the edges.
4. Evenly layer half of the mozzarella and cheddar cheese over the barbecue sauce.
5. Chopped smoked beef brisket should be evenly distributed over the cheese layer.
6. Finish the brisket with the leftover mozzarella and cheddar cheese.
7. Evenly distribute the paper-thin red onions and the jalapeño pickles across the pizza.
8. Put the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
9. Take the pizza out of the oven and allow it to cool for a minute or two to let the cheese set.
10. If desired, freshly chopped cilantro can be used to garnish. The food can be sliced and served hot.