Slow-Smoked Beef Brisket with Maple-Chipotle Glaze
Tender slow-smoked beef brisket infused with smoky flavors and finished with a sweet and spicy maple-chipotle glaze. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 585 minutes turns beef brisket, kosher salt, black pepper into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 8, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. 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
- 5 lbs beef brisket
- 2 tbsp kosher salt
- 2 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tsp chipotle powder
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- handful wood chips (hickory or oak)
Instructions
- Step 1: Combine 2 tbsp kosher salt, 2 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, and 1 tsp chipotle powder in a bowl. Rub this spice mix evenly over the entire surface of the 5 lbs beef brisket, pressing it in firmly. Let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Prepare your smoker by preheating to 225°F and adding a handful of hickory or oak wood chips for smoke. Place the brisket fat side up on the smoker rack and smoke for about 6 hours, maintaining a steady 225°F, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Step 3: Meanwhile, whisk together 1/3 cup maple syrup, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 2 tbsp olive oil to create the glaze.
- Step 4: After the brisket reaches 165°F, brush the maple-chipotle glaze generously over the meat. Wrap the brisket tightly in foil and return it to the smoker.
- Step 5: Continue smoking for another 3 hours or until the internal temperature hits 203°F and the meat is tender to the touch. Remove from smoker and let rest wrapped for at least 30 minutes before slicing across the grain.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Smoked Beef Brisket with Maple-Chipotle Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 585 minutes (45 min prep + 540 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-Chipotle Glaze?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Smoked Beef Brisket with Maple-Chipotle 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-Chipotle 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-Chipotle 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.