Smoked Maple-Glazed Brisket with Applewood
Tender brisket slow-smoked over applewood chips and finished with a sweet maple glaze for a rich, smoky flavor. This american-inspired bbq & smoked 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 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.
Ingredients
- 4 lbs beef brisket
- 2 tbsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 2 cups applewood chips
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Step 1: Combine 2 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tbsp garlic powder, and 1 tbsp onion powder in a bowl and rub evenly over the entire 4 lb beef brisket. Let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Preheat your smoker to 225°F and add 2 cups of soaked applewood chips to generate smoke. Place the brisket fat side up on the grate and smoke for 5 hours until a deep mahogany crust forms.
- Step 3: Mix 1/4 cup pure maple syrup with 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar and brush the glaze over the brisket. Continue smoking for another 1-2 hours until the internal temperature reaches 200°F and the meat is tender.
- Step 4: Remove the brisket from the smoker, wrap tightly in foil, and let rest for 30 minutes before slicing against the grain into 1/4-inch slices to serve.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smoked Maple-Glazed Brisket with Applewood take to make?
Total time is about 460 minutes (40 min prep + 420 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 Smoked Maple-Glazed Brisket with Applewood?
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 Smoked Maple-Glazed Brisket with Applewood?
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 Smoked Maple-Glazed Brisket with Applewood 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 Smoked Maple-Glazed Brisket with Applewood?
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.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
