Food Network's Chef Zimmern Shares His Secrets To Perfect Brisket Just In Time For Summer

Just in time for summer cookouts and backyard BBQs, Food Network star Chef Andrew Zimmern is dishing out his expert tips for mastering one of the season’s most mouthwatering staples... Brisket.

Known for his bold flavors and culinary know-how, Andrew Zimmern is taking the guesswork out of low-and-slow cooking, revealing the secrets to achieving that tender, smoky perfection every grillmaster dreams of.

For those looking to bring brisket magic home this summer, Zimmern dropped some expert BBQ tips.

“Brisket is something that wants to be put to sleep,” he told The Blast exclusively. “It wants to nap. It wants to hang out with you for a long, long time.”

For an oven-roasted version, Zimmern recommends starting with a sear, then adding a small amount of liquid, just enough to keep things moist. After smothering the brisket in onions and bringing it to a simmer, he puts it in a 225°F oven for six to seven hours.

“It’s not barbecue, that’s roasted brisket,” he clarified. “But it’s still delicious.”

When using a smoker, the process is longer and more layered.

“I’ll let it go for 12 hours in an indirect smoker before I wrap it and take it away from the smoke,” Zimmern said when talking about his new partnership with Casey's General Stores. “Then I keep it on low heat, altogether about 19 hours. Brisket just wants time. You have to be patient.”

That kind of care and patience, Zimmern says, is what makes Casey’s brisket, and the entire pizza, so successful.

“I’m a huge fan of good road food,” he added. “Casey’s BBQ Brisket Pizza? That’s great road food done right.”

When you think of the best pizza in the Midwest, your first thought might not be a gas station. But according to Emmy-winning chef and TV host Andrew Zimmern, it should be.

Zimmern, who’s traveled the globe tasting the world’s most unique and delicious dishes, recently told The Blast that Casey’s BBQ Brisket Pizza is hands-down his favorite pizza in the region, and it just so happens to be found inside a convenience store.

Back by popular demand for a limited time, Casey’s BBQ Brisket Pizza is a smoky, savory showstopper.

Built on a base of Casey’s made-from-scratch dough or crispy thin crust, the pizza is layered with Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce, 100% real mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, and piled high with slow-smoked beef brisket that’s dry-rubbed and smoked for up to 16 hours. Jalapeños and red onions bring a touch of heat and crunch, while a creamy ranch drizzle ties it all together.

Zimmern, a self-proclaimed road food aficionado, said he's no stranger to gas station eats, and in fact, that's part of the appeal.

“Oftentimes I roll into a town at 10 o’clock at night and there’s nowhere to get a meal but the local gas station,” he said. “That’s where I’ve had some of the best food. Casey’s is one of those places that surprises you in the best way.”

When it comes to what to serve alongside brisket, Zimmern says you can’t beat the classics, but don’t skimp on acidity.

“You can’t do it without coleslaw and potato salad,” he said, recommending his own recipes on andrewzimmern.com. “I’ve certainly done enough research on that myself.”

But it’s the pickles that truly balance out the richness of brisket. “You want as many things that are acidic and cut through that fat so you can kind of keep going,” he said. “Really good pickles are so important.”

Zimmern encourages people to go beyond traditional cucumber pickles, “We put kimchi out on the table… It’s naturally fermented, it’s spicy, it’s very tart. That’s probably the ultimate pickle.”

Among his go-to variations? A Chinese-style cucumber kimchi and a Japanese version made with scallions. “They’re just wonderful compliments, especially with the potato salad,” he added.

Andrew Zimmern is an Emmy and four-time James Beard Award-winning chef, TV host, writer, and advocate for global culinary exploration.

Best known as the creator, executive producer, and host of the acclaimed "Bizarre Foods" franchise, Zimmern has also led shows like "Driven by Food," "What’s Eating America" on MSNBC, the Emmy-nominated "Family Dinner," and "Wild Game Kitchen" and "Field to Fire" on the Outdoor Channel.

He also earned an Emmy for "The Zimmern List."

Throughout his career, Zimmern has used food as a lens to promote cultural understanding, acceptance, and connection across the globe, so it's safe to say that you can trust Zimmern when cooking your BBQ brisket this summer.