Description
Ready to impress your guests or treat your family to something unforgettable? This Tender Brisket with Homemade Barbecue Sauce is the ultimate combination of smoky, juicy, and flavorful meat paired with a sweet and tangy sauce made from scratch. Whether you’re looking for a dinner idea, a crowd-pleasing meal, or a special weekend recipe, this dish is a home run. It’s perfect for easy dinners, BBQ parties, or meal prep. With a bit of patience and the right technique, you’ll have brisket so tender, it practically melts in your mouth.
Ingredients
4 to 5 pounds beef brisket
2 tablespoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons smoked paprika
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon mustard powder
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup ketchup
0.5 cup apple cider vinegar
0.25 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons molasses
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
0.5 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
Instructions
1. Mix all dry rub ingredients in a bowl. Rub olive oil over the brisket, then coat evenly with the spice mix on all sides.
2. Wrap the brisket in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
3. Preheat oven to 300°F or smoker to 225°F. Prepare your roasting pan or smoker setup.
4. Place brisket on a rack in a roasting pan (or directly on smoker grates) and cook low and slow—about 1 hour per pound.
5. When internal temperature hits 165°F, remove brisket and wrap tightly in foil or butcher paper. Return to heat.
6. Continue cooking until internal temperature reaches 195–205°F.
7. Remove from heat and let the wrapped brisket rest for 30 to 60 minutes.
8. While it rests, combine all barbecue sauce ingredients in a saucepan. Simmer for 15–20 minutes until thickened.
9. Unwrap and slice the brisket against the grain.
10. Serve hot with barbecue sauce drizzled over the top or on the side.
Notes
Let the brisket rest before slicing—it makes all the difference in tenderness.
Always slice against the grain to avoid chewy meat.
Add broth or juices during reheating to keep brisket moist.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6–8 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Oven or Smoker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 oz cooked brisket with sauce
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 39g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: brisket, barbecue, smoked meat, BBQ dinner, oven brisket, homemade BBQ sauce, dinner ideas, crowd pleaser, meat recipes