Slow-Baked Brisket with Bourbon Mustard Barbecue Sauce
In these parts, everyone knows that “low and slow is the only way to go” when it comes to making barbecued brisket. Whether prepared in the oven, on the grill, or in an old-fashioned barbecue pit, it takes hours and a gentle heat to transform this tough cut into the tender, flavorful dish that shows up at shindigs throughout Texas—from UT tailgate parties, where on game days folks set up steel-drum barbecues in parking lots during the wee morning hours, to family get-together, ranch weddings, and backyard cookouts. My mom, who adored brisket, took it often to parties and family events, and I’ve recently resurrected the tradition. James De Wolf helped develop this recipe. I carted our brisket halfway across Texas—from Frederickburg’s five hours’ drive east to Long view—to share it with my family at our annual homecoming potluck.
Recipe information
Yield
serves 10 to 12, quite possibly with leftovers
Ingredients
Rub
Brisket
Bourbon Mustard Barbecue sauce
Spice Mix
Preparation
Step 1
TO MAKE THE DRY RUB: Combine the 1/2 cup brown sugar, spice mixture, and salt in a small bowl.
Step 2
TO MAKE THE BRISKET: Preheat the oven to 275°F. Using your fingers, evenly coat the brisket with dry rub. Combine the mustards, 1/4 cup bourbon, and cider in a small bowl. Spread the mustard paste evenly over the brisket. Set the brisket in a large roasting pan, fat side up. Tightly cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake until the meat is tender, at least 6 hours.
Step 3
TO MAKE THE BARBECUE SAUCE: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat and cook the onion until wilted, about 3 minutes; stir in the garlic and cook 1 minute more. Stir in the 1/4 cup mustard, the 1/2 cup brown sugar, beef stock, the 1/2 cup bourbon, ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and soy sauce and bring the mixture to a boil. Decrease the heat to medium-low and simmer until the sauce is slightly thickened, about 15 minutes.
Step 4
To serve, slice the brisket thinly across the grain and serve hot or at room temperature with barbecue sauce.
Spice Mix
Step 5
In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, cumin, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, dry mustard, coriander, paprika, cayenne, and thyme leaves. Measure out 1/4 cup and reserve the rest in an airtight container for future use.
do it early
Step 6
The brisket can be baked up to 2 days in advance, covered, and refrigerated until ready to serve. Reheat in a 275°F oven for 1 hour. The spice mixture will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for about 2 months.
tip
Step 7
Leftovers make great hot sandwiches. In a medium saucepan, heat thin slices of brisket over low heat with enough barbecue sauce to coat them generously. Serve on soft rolls, such as Honey Grain Rolls, page 104.
Step 8
Creole mustard, a Louisiana favorite, is made with crushed mustard seeds and often a touch of horseradish. If you can’t find it, substitute any whole grain Dijon-style mustard
