Grilled Texas-Style Smoked Brisket with Spicy Barbecue Glaze

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender smoked brisket slices glazed with a spicy Texas-style barbecue sauce, perfect for an authentic Southern barbecue experience. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 380 minutes, pairs beef brisket, kosher salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, 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: 20 min Cook: 360 min Serves 6 American cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Combine 2 tablespoons kosher salt, 2 tablespoons black pepper, 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon chili powder, and 1 teaspoon smoked paprika in a bowl to make a dry rub. Rub all over the 3 pounds beef brisket evenly.
  2. Step 2: Preheat your smoker or grill to 225°F. Place the brisket fat side up in the smoker and smoke for about 6 hours or until internal temperature reaches 195°F, maintaining a steady temperature.
  3. Step 3: While smoking, mix 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon hot sauce, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon honey in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until thickened and glossy, about 10 minutes.
  4. Step 4: After the brisket reaches temperature, remove it and let it rest covered with foil for 30 minutes.
  5. Step 5: Slice the brisket against the grain into 1/4-inch thick slices and brush generously with the spicy barbecue glaze. Serve immediately with extra sauce on the side.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Texas-Style Smoked Brisket with Spicy Barbecue Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 380 minutes (20 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 Grilled Texas-Style Smoked Brisket with Spicy Barbecue 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 Grilled Texas-Style Smoked Brisket with Spicy Barbecue 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 Grilled Texas-Style Smoked Brisket with Spicy Barbecue Glaze for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Grilled Texas-Style Smoked Brisket with Spicy Barbecue 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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