Slow-Smoked Wood-Fired Beef Brisket with Tangy BBQ Sauce

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

Tender beef brisket smoked low and slow over wood fire, paired with a tangy, slightly sweet barbecue sauce. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 405 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 450 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: 45 min Cook: 360 min Serves 8 American cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Trim the 4 lbs beef brisket of excess fat and pat dry. Combine 2 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp onion powder in a bowl; rub the mixture evenly all over the brisket. Let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Preheat your smoker to 225°F and add 2 cups applewood chips to create smoke. Place the brisket fat side up on the smoker grate and smoke for about 6 hours, maintaining 225°F, until the internal temperature reaches 195°F and the meat is tender.
  3. Step 3: While the brisket smokes, combine 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tbsp yellow mustard, and 1 tsp hot sauce in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens and develops a tangy aroma.
  4. Step 4: Remove the brisket from the smoker and let it rest covered loosely with foil for 30 minutes. Slice against the grain into 1/4-inch thick slices and serve with the warm tangy BBQ sauce spooned on top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Smoked Wood-Fired Beef Brisket with Tangy BBQ Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 405 minutes (45 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 Wood-Fired Beef Brisket with Tangy BBQ Sauce?

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 Wood-Fired Beef Brisket with Tangy BBQ Sauce?

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 Wood-Fired Beef Brisket with Tangy BBQ Sauce 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 Wood-Fired Beef Brisket with Tangy BBQ Sauce?

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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