Grilled Brisket With Slow-Cooked Taste

By
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches is a grilling and barbecue expert. He has written two cookbooks.
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Updated on 09/28/21
Grilled brisket
Jason Poole/Getty Images
Prep: 30 mins
Cook: 5 hrs
Total: 5 hrs 30 mins
Servings: 6 to 8 servings

Brisket is simultaneously one of the easiest and most difficult cuts of meat to cook on a barbecue. It is the easiest because all you really need is a piece of brisket (seasoning and sauces are optional); it is challenging since brisket is one of the toughest cuts of meat, and if not cooked properly, which means low and slow, then it will be inedible.

Low and slow cooking is most often done in a smoker and sometimes on a charcoal grill. Many barbecue enthusiasts believe that you cannot cook a brisket on a gas grill, but there are methods that make this possible.

If you do not own a smoker or are not up to smoking a full-sized brisket, this slow-grilled brisket recipe is a great alternative. It calls for using your grill's rotisserie attachment, but if you do not have one you can cook the brisket in a shallow foil pan on the grill.

Ingredients

  • 1 (5-pound) brisket

  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder

  • 2 tablespoons onion powder

  • 2 tablespoons whole black peppercorns

  • 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper, use less or omit if preferred

  • 2 tablespoons paprika

For the Basting Sauce:

  • 4 ounces (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter

  • 1 large onion, chopped

  • 6 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 cup water

  • 1/3 cup cider vinegar

  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar

  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 teaspoon chili powder

  • Salt, to taste

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • 7 ounces beer

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Trim excess fat from brisket.

  3. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne, and paprika.

  4. Place on the rotisserie and put on a preheated grill. Prop the lid a little and let cook.

  5. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce. Melt butter in a saucepan and sauté onion and garlic for about 5 minutes.

  6. Add water, cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, and a little salt and pepper to taste. Let simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Add beer.

  7. Baste over brisket about every 30 minutes. Cook brisket over low heat for about 4 to 5 hours.

  8. Remove brisket from grill and slice thinly.

  9. Serve with your favorite sides and enjoy!

Tips

  • Grill in a pan: If you do not have a rotisserie attachment, you can cook the brisket in a heat-proof pan on top of the grill grates, keeping the heat low. Close the lid and baste the meat as usual.
  • Get a crust on the meat: After seasoning with the rub, but before putting the brisket in the pan, place the brisket directly on the grill over low heat until the exterior develops a nice outer crust, turning and flipping as needed.
  • Fat trimming: If using the rotisserie, make sure your brisket is trimmed of most fat so as to not cause flare-ups. If you are using the pan method, leave a bit more fat left on the meat to help the meat retain its moisture.

Recipe Variations

  • Rub variations: Dry meat seasoning combinations are endless. You can add brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, and so much more.
  • Basting sauce variations: Remember to baste the brisket with the sauce frequently and keep your grill temperature low. There are numerous possible substitutions and additions for basting sauce: olive oil, beef stock, dry mustard, Tabasco, lemon juice, and bourbon whiskey, just for starters.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
984 Calories
64g Fat
12g Carbs
84g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 to 8
Amount per serving
Calories 984
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 64g 82%
Saturated Fat 28g 140%
Cholesterol 331mg 110%
Sodium 296mg 13%
Total Carbohydrate 12g 5%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 84g
Vitamin C 3mg 16%
Calcium 86mg 7%
Iron 8mg 44%
Potassium 866mg 18%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)