Charcoal-Grilled Beef Brisket with Bourbon BBQ Glaze

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Slow-grilled beef brisket finished with a rich bourbon-infused barbecue glaze inspired by Louisville’s whiskey heritage. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 435 minutes pairs beef brisket, kosher salt, ground black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 10, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 75 min Cook: 360 min Serves 10 American cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Mix 2 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp ground black pepper, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, and 1 tbsp smoked paprika in a bowl. Rub evenly over all sides of the 5 lbs beef brisket. Let rest at room temperature for 1 hour.
  2. Step 2: Preheat charcoal grill to maintain a steady temperature of 250°F using indirect heat. Place brisket fat side up on cooler side of the grill, cover, and cook for about 5-6 hours until internal temperature reaches 195°F, adding charcoal as needed.
  3. Step 3: While brisket cooks, combine 1/2 cup bourbon, 1 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 3 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp hot sauce, and 2 tbsp olive oil in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes until thickened and glossy.
  4. Step 4: During the last hour of grilling, baste the brisket every 20 minutes with the bourbon BBQ glaze to build a sticky, flavorful crust.
  5. Step 5: Remove brisket from grill and tent with foil. Rest for 30 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain and serving with remaining bourbon glaze.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Charcoal-Grilled Beef Brisket with Bourbon BBQ Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 435 minutes (75 min prep + 360 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Charcoal-Grilled Beef Brisket with Bourbon BBQ Glaze?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep beef brisket from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Charcoal-Grilled Beef Brisket with Bourbon BBQ Glaze?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Charcoal-Grilled Beef Brisket with Bourbon BBQ Glaze for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 10 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 10). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Charcoal-Grilled Beef Brisket with Bourbon BBQ Glaze?

American bbq & smoked like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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