Slow-Smoked Beef Brisket with Maple-Bacon Glaze

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender beef brisket smoked low and slow, finished with a sweet and smoky maple-bacon glaze for a rich, savory flavor. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 375 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 480 calories and feeds 8, 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: 15 min Cook: 360 min Serves 8 American cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rub 4 lbs beef brisket evenly with 2 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tbsp garlic powder, and 1 tbsp onion powder; cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to absorb the spices.
  2. Step 2: Preheat your smoker to 225°F and add 2 cups of soaked apple wood chips for a mild, sweet smoke flavor.
  3. Step 3: Place the brisket fat side up on the smoker grate and smoke for about 6 hours, maintaining a steady 225°F temperature.
  4. Step 4: While smoking, cook 6 slices of bacon in a pan until crisp, then chop finely and mix with 1/4 cup pure maple syrup and 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar to create the glaze.
  5. Step 5: During the last hour of smoking, brush the maple-bacon glaze over the brisket every 15 minutes until a sticky, caramelized surface forms.
  6. Step 6: Remove brisket from smoker when internal temperature reaches 195°F; tent with foil and rest for 30 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Smoked Beef Brisket with Maple-Bacon Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 375 minutes (15 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 Slow-Smoked Beef Brisket with Maple-Bacon 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 Slow-Smoked Beef Brisket with Maple-Bacon 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 Maple-Bacon Glaze for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 Maple-Bacon 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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