Slow-Smoked Brisket with Maple Bourbon BBQ Glaze

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-20 · Updated 2026-06-20

Tender slow-smoked beef brisket glazed with a sweet and smoky maple bourbon barbecue sauce, perfect for a flavorful Green Bay-inspired cookout. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 460 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 550 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.

Ingredients

• 4 lbs beef brisket
• 2 tbsp kosher salt
• 2 tbsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 cups apple wood chips
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey
• 1 cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp mustard powder
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp black pepper (for sauce)

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Instructions

1. 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 smoked paprika in a bowl and rub evenly over all sides of the 4 lbs beef brisket. Let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
2. Step 2: Preheat your smoker to 225°F and add 2 cups of soaked apple wood chips for smoke. Place the brisket fat side up on the rack and smoke for about 6 hours, maintaining temperature and replenishing wood chips as needed.
3. Step 3: Meanwhile, in a saucepan over medium heat, whisk together 1/2 cup maple syrup, 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey, 1 cup ketchup, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp mustard powder, 1 tsp chili powder, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer gently for 15 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
4. Step 4: After 6 hours, brush the brisket generously with the maple bourbon BBQ glaze and continue smoking for another 1 hour to set the glaze.
5. Step 5: Remove the brisket from the smoker, tent with foil, and let rest for 30 minutes before slicing against the grain and serving with extra glaze on the side.