Slow-Smoked Maple Bacon Brisket with Blueberry BBQ Glaze
A tender, slow-smoked brisket wrapped in maple bacon and glazed with a vibrant blueberry BBQ sauce featuring a hint of Jim Beam whiskey. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 380 minutes pairs brisket, strips maple bacon strips, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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 brisket
- 12 strips maple bacon strips
- 2 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 tbsp Jim Beam whiskey
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp bacon fat
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat smoker to 225°F. Combine 2 tbsp salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp paprika, and 1 tsp garlic powder in a bowl. Rub this spice mix evenly over the entire 4 lbs brisket.
- Step 2: Lay 12 strips of maple bacon side by side on a large sheet of parchment paper, slightly overlapping. Place the brisket on top and wrap it tightly with the bacon strips, securing with kitchen twine if needed.
- Step 3: Place the wrapped brisket in the smoker and cook at 225°F for about 6 hours, or until internal temperature reaches 195°F and meat is tender.
- Step 4: While the brisket smokes, combine 1 cup fresh blueberries, 1/4 cup maple syrup, 2 tbsp Jim Beam whiskey, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 1 tbsp bacon fat in a saucepan over medium heat. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and blueberries burst.
- Step 5: Remove brisket from smoker and let rest for 20 minutes. Slice against the grain and brush with the warm blueberry BBQ glaze before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Smoked Maple Bacon Brisket with Blueberry BBQ Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 380 minutes (20 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 Maple Bacon Brisket with Blueberry 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 brisket from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Smoked Maple Bacon Brisket with Blueberry 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 Maple Bacon Brisket with Blueberry BBQ 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 Maple Bacon Brisket with Blueberry 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.
