Slow-Smoked Beef Brisket with Kentucky Bourbon BBQ Glaze

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

Tender, slow-smoked beef brisket glazed with a rich Kentucky bourbon BBQ sauce that infuses deep caramelized flavors. This american-inspired bbq & smoked 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.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 720 min Serves 10 American cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Smoked Beef Brisket with Kentucky Bourbon BBQ Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 745 minutes (25 min prep + 720 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 Slow-Smoked Beef Brisket with Kentucky 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 (5 lbs) from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Smoked Beef Brisket with Kentucky 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 Slow-Smoked Beef Brisket with Kentucky 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 Slow-Smoked Beef Brisket with Kentucky 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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