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Looking for the best brisket recipe? Our Honey BBQ Brisket delivers mouthwatering flavor and fork-tender results every time. This crowd-pleasing main course pairs beautifully with classic sides like southern cornbread and grilled vegetables. Whether you're hosting a summer barbecue or craving smoky goodness on a cool autumn evening, this brisket recipe will become your go-to grilling favorite.
Baked Brie with Honey and Pears would make the perfect appetizer to this brisket
The Secret to Amazing Honey Beef Brisket
What makes truly exceptional BBQ beef brisket? The sauce! Our homemade Honey BBQ Sauce creates the perfect flavor foundation for this tender, juicy brisket. Unlike store-bought alternatives often loaded with corn syrup, our sauce features natural Eastern Shore Honey for rich sweetness that caramelizes beautifully on the grill. This signature sauce transforms an ordinary brisket into a mouthwatering masterpiece.
How to Make Honey BBQ Beef Brisket
Ingredients
- Beef brisket
- Homemade Honey BBQ Sauce
The homemade BBQ sauce contains a variety of seasonings (including onion powder for a savory base note), apple cider vinegar, mustard (feel free to use dijon mustard), ketchup, coconut sugar (instead of brown sugar), and, of course, raw honey! The other secret ingredient is Worcestershire sauce - we like it better than using soy sauce. Barbecue sauce is easy to make - just grab the sauce ingredients and mix them all together. Plus, it's easy to customize it to your own personal preferences.
Instructions
- Prep the brisket: Rinse the beef brisket thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels.
- Marinate: Place the brisket meat in a large baking dish and generously coat with Honey BBQ sauce. Cover the dish and refrigerate for 3-4 hours to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
- Prepare for grilling: Remove brisket from refrigerator and let stand at room temperature for one hour. Meanwhile, set up your grill for indirect cooking by placing a drip pan under one side of the cooking surface and heating the burners on the opposite side to 250°F.
- Start grilling: Position the brisket on the grill above the drip pan. Baste with any remaining BBQ sauce.
- Low and slow cooking: Let the brisket cook for approximately 5 hours (or until internal temperature reaches 195°F), flipping halfway through at the 3-hour mark.
- Rest before serving: When finished, carefully remove the brisket from the grill and wrap in aluminum foil. Allow to rest for 20 minutes to lock in juices.
- Slice and serve: Cut the brisket thinly against the grain and serve with additional sauce if desired.
Pro Tips for Perfect Brisket Recipe
For truly exceptional results, remember these key points when preparing your honey brisket:
- Indirect heat is crucial: Always cook your brisket on the side opposite your active burners. This slow-cooking method ensures juicy, tender meat instead of a charred exterior.
- Temperature control matters: Keep your grill at a steady 250°F for optimal results. A gas grill offers better temperature control than charcoal for this recipe.
- Fat trimming technique: Trim the fat cap to approximately ¼-inch thickness – enough to provide flavor while preventing excessive grease.
- Know when it's done: The brisket is perfectly cooked when fork-tender. Do not eat brisket rare. An internal temperature of 195°F indicates ideal doneness. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature.
- Resting is non-negotiable: The 20-minute rest period allows juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring every slice is moist and flavorful.
Make this brisket apart of your Father's Day dinner plans. If he likes cooking, incorporate it into Dad's things to do for Father's Day.
Choosing the Perfect Brisket Cut
The best beef brisket starts with selecting the right cut of meat. Look for a brisket with:
- Good marbling throughout (thin streaks of fat within the meat)
- A uniform, thick fat cap
- Vibrant red color indicating freshness
- Well-trimmed edges without excessive connective tissue
The brisket cut comes from the lower chest of the cow and consists of two parts: the leaner "flat" and the fattier "point." Either works wonderfully with our honey BBQ sauce recipe, though the point offers slightly more flavor due to its higher fat content.
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Serving Suggestions
Complete your brisket meal with these perfect pairings:
- Classic southern cornbread
- Creamy coleslaw
- Grilled mushrooms and zucchini
- Garlic mashed potatoes
- Fresh green salad with tangy vinaigrette
- Sautéed sliced onions
For casual gatherings, consider serving your sliced brisket on brioche buns with pickles and extra sauce for delicious sandwiches that will disappear quickly!
Recipe Variations
While our honey brisket recipe is perfect as written, don't be afraid to add your personal touch:
- Enhance the sauce with smoked paprika for deeper smoky notes
- Add garlic powder for savory intensity
- Incorporate brown sugar for additional sweetness
- Try using this recipe for a smoked brisket instead
- Try mixing in sliced jalapeños, chili powder, or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick
- Experiment with different types of honey for subtle flavor changes
- Want to use a slow cooker? We have the very best recipe for a Slow Cooker BBQ Brisket
BBQ Sauce will Never Be the Same
Our Honey BBQ Brisket recipe delivers restaurant-quality results right in your backyard. The combination of tender, slow-grilled beef and sweet, tangy honey BBQ sauce creates an unforgettable dish perfect for any occasion. Whether you're a grilling novice or seasoned pitmaster, this recipe offers foolproof instructions for creating the ultimate brisket experience. Happy grilling!
Check Out These Other Beef Recipes
- Honey-Glazed Corned Beef
- Beef with Honey Garlic Sauce
- Dutch Oven Goulash
- Classic Pot Roast
- Honey-Glazed Meatloaf
