Smoky Texas-Style Smoked Brisket with Bold Barbecue Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-19 · Updated 2026-06-19

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

This slow-smoked beef brisket is infused with deep smoky flavors and served with a tangy, bold Texas-style barbecue sauce that balances spice and sweetness. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 465 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.

Prep: 45 min Cook: 420 min Serves 8 American cuisine 550 cal/serving

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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 tbsp smoked paprika
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup ketchup
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp yellow mustard
1 tsp chili powder
1 tbsp hot sauce
2 cups hickory wood chips

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Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the brisket by trimming excess fat, then rub evenly with 2 tbsp kosher salt, 2 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, and 1 tbsp smoked paprika. Let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Step 2: Soak 2 cups hickory wood chips in water for 30 minutes, then preheat your smoker to 225°F. Place the brisket fat side up on the smoker grate.
Step 3: Smoke the brisket for about 6-7 hours, maintaining 225°F, until the internal temperature reaches 195°F and the meat is tender with a smoky crust.
Step 4: Meanwhile, prepare the barbecue sauce by whisking together 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 tbsp yellow mustard, 1 tsp chili powder, and 1 tbsp hot sauce in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes until thickened and fragrant.
Step 5: Remove the brisket and let it rest covered for 30 minutes. Slice against the grain into 1/4-inch thick slices and serve with the warm barbecue sauce drizzled on top.