Slow-Smoked Beef Brisket with Kentucky Bourbon BBQ Glaze

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-14 · Updated 2026-06-14

Tender, slow-smoked beef brisket glazed with a rich Kentucky bourbon BBQ sauce that infuses deep caramelized flavors. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 745 minutes, pairs beef brisket (5 lbs), kosher salt, coarse black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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.

Ingredients

• 1 beef brisket (5 lbs)
• 3 tbsp kosher salt
• 2 tbsp coarse black pepper
• 2 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1/2 cup bourbon
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup wood chips for smoking (oak or hickory)

The instant-read thermometer we’d check this beef with → Best Instant-Read Thermometers for 2026: Fast, Accurate Picks Under $100

Instructions

1. Step 1: Mix 3 tbsp kosher salt, 2 tbsp coarse black pepper, 2 tbsp garlic powder, and 1 tbsp onion powder in a bowl. Rub this dry seasoning evenly over the entire 5 lbs beef brisket.
2. Step 2: Preheat your smoker to 225°F and add 1 cup oak or hickory wood chips for smoke. Place the brisket fat side up on the smoker rack and smoke for 10-12 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 200°F and the meat is tender.
3. Step 3: Meanwhile, in a saucepan combine 1/2 cup bourbon, 1 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp chili powder, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
4. Step 4: During the last 30 minutes of smoking, brush the bourbon BBQ glaze generously over the brisket every 10 minutes to build a sticky coating.
5. Step 5: Remove the brisket from the smoker and let it rest for 30 minutes before slicing against the grain and serving with remaining glaze.