Charcoal-Grilled Beef Brisket with Bourbon BBQ Glaze

By , Test Kitchen Director · 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

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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.

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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