Happy {almost} Holidays!
I can just feel all of your little foodie minds churning and thinking, what am I going to cook this holiday season? Well, I have an idea for you, my friends — Bourbon Braised Brisket!
It’s a time to gather around the table with the ones you love, sharing and feasting– filling your hearts and bellies. It’s a time to celebrate and have fun, and it’s a time to reflect on the year and be grateful. The most wonderful time of the year!
Here is an absolutely OUT OF THIS WORLD fantastic brisket recipe to gather around the table. This Bourbon Braised Brisket is browned, then braised in the oven in a lovely bourbon-infused sauce. The result? Fork tender brisket and the most magical and flavorful sauce (that comes out perfectly reduced without having to go back onto the stove!) You won’t even believe how good the sauce is.
Why add bourbon to this recipe? Well, TX Whiskey Bourbon is bold with notes of maple and brown sugar that when cooked down, it really enhances the flavor of the sauce and gives it a fantastic flavor that you’ve never had in a Holiday Brisket before!
Seriously, it’s just incredible and a dish that everyone at the table will gobble up. The other great thing about it is that it really will pair well with any side dish! Try with this big holiday salad, and my Texas-Style Mac and Cheese!
SHOP THE POST.
Bourbon Braised Brisket

Ingredients
- ~4 lb beef brisket, untrimmed/flat-cut
- 4 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tsp ground mustard powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 1/2 cup TX Whiskey Bourbon
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos (soy sauce works as well)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
- In a bowl, mix salt, pepper, ground mustard, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder and cayenne to create your rub.
- Using paper towels, pat dry brisket. Cut brisket in half, to create two large pieces about 2 lbs each. Using your hands, evenly coat both sides of brisket with your rub mixture.
- Heat a heavy-bottomed and oven-safe pot, or dutch oven, over medium-high heat with avocado oil. Add brisket and sear on both sides until golden-brown crust forms, about 4-5 minutes per side. You may need to do this in two batches.
- While brisket is searing, in a medium-sized bowl combine the bourbon, ketchup, coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, garlic, sugar, dijon mustard and beef broth. Whisk until well-combined and set aside until beef is done searing.
- Set browned brisket aside and turn off the heat. Pour sauce into a dutch oven, breaking up any brown bits at bottom of the pan. Nestle brisket into the sauce.
- Top with sliced onion and cover with a lid. Transfer into the pre-heated oven and bake until brisket is cooked through, about 3-3.5 hours. The meat should be fork-tender when ready.
- Slice and serve the brisket on a large platter. Drizzle a little of the sauce from the pot over the brisket, and serve the sauce in a bowl on the side for guests to add more as desired!
19 Comments
Bailey
June 20, 2022 at 12:21 amI had never cooked a brisket before, and I knew Alex would have an amazing recipe. This was SO delicious, turned out perfect!!
Maureen
February 10, 2022 at 12:42 amChilly times in SE Florida, any excuse to cook a brisket. First time I used this recipe, so easy! Sauce was amazing! I tried but couldn’t find the TX bourbon with a hint of brown sugar and maple . . . But the Makers Mark 46 certainly did the trick. I will make this again!
Craig
November 28, 2021 at 11:00 pmDear lord, this recipe is insanely good! I’m rather speechless. I cook A LOT. This is top 5 all time dare I say!?!? I only had a rare, aged bourbon. Subbed more beef stock and a healthy pour of some backyard made maple syrup (I live in NH) instead. Just WOW.
Lindsey
November 25, 2021 at 3:22 amWe didn’t have any bourbon, so we substituted the bourbon with chicken broth. The brisket was super tender and the sauce was soooo delicious! You are our ‘baseline’ / go-to whenever we want to try something new.
Lindsey
November 25, 2021 at 3:23 am^ original commenter, missed giving this one five stars!
Alex
November 25, 2021 at 12:44 pmThank you Lindsey!! and thanks for rating too!!
Angel
November 6, 2021 at 9:40 pmCan this be prepared in a crockpot? If so, how long does it need to cook and what recipe modifications if any?
Lisa
January 12, 2022 at 10:20 pmIncredible. Followed the recipe to the letter and it was BEYOND mouthwatering.
Restaurant Worthy!
September 22, 2021 at 12:42 amThis was DELICIOUS! Whole family raved about it. Said it was restaurant worthy! Daughter dais she could drink the sauce! Will definitely be making again and no one needs to know how easy it was. Thank you!
Jennifer Young
April 3, 2021 at 12:30 pmThis is the best brisket I’ve ever had! I made it for a group of friends and family to celebrate Easter! Everyone raved about it!
Alex
April 5, 2021 at 1:10 pmso happy you enjoyed it!
Stephanie
April 1, 2021 at 5:38 pmIs there another cut of beef I could use for this recipe? None of my local grocers will sell me 4 lbs of brisket- only to whole thing. Could I use a chick roast instead? Thanks in advance 😊
Alex
April 1, 2021 at 7:20 pmChuck roast would be a good alternative!
Alyssa
February 16, 2021 at 3:11 amIs there a suitable sub for the whiskey?
Janine
February 12, 2021 at 3:27 pmLoved the flavor…next time I will double the sauce!
Jennifer
December 15, 2020 at 11:51 pmThis is so delicious, I’ve made it several times and it’s perfect every time. My son request it at least once a month and we can make sliders for days after. The sauce in unbelievable, all of Alex’s sauces are spot on. This will be a family recipe for years to come.
Mallaree
November 17, 2020 at 7:06 pmI made this for a family party and everyone absolutely LOVED it.
Alex
November 18, 2020 at 12:09 amhappy you enjoyed!!
Mallaree Niner
October 11, 2022 at 3:27 amComing back to comment again how much we LOOOOOVE this brisket!!!