Grilled Texas-Style Brisket with Smoky Barbecue Sauce

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-02 · Updated 2026-07-02

Tender smoked brisket seasoned with a robust Texas dry rub and finished with a smoky homemade barbecue sauce. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 380 minutes blends beef brisket, paprika, brown sugar into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. 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.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs beef brisket
• 2 tbsp paprika
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tbsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

1. Step 1: Combine 2 tbsp paprika, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, and 1 tsp cayenne pepper in a bowl to create a dry rub. Rub evenly over the entire 3 lb beef brisket, massaging the spices into the meat; cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
2. Step 2: Preheat your grill to a low heat setting around 225°F for indirect cooking. Remove the brisket from the fridge and let it come to room temperature for 30 minutes.
3. Step 3: Place the brisket on the grill grates away from direct heat. Smoke or cook indirectly for 5-6 hours until internal temperature reaches 195°F, maintaining grill temperature at 225°F.
4. Step 4: While the brisket cooks, prepare the barbecue sauce by whisking together 1 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 2 tbsp honey, and 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens and deepens in flavor.
5. Step 5: Once the brisket reaches 195°F, remove it from the grill and let it rest covered loosely with foil for 30 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.
6. Step 6: Serve sliced brisket drizzled with 1/2 cup of the smoky barbecue sauce, alongside your choice of classic sides.