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Flavorful Smoked Brisket Sliders Recipe with Easy Whiskey BBQ Sauce

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Tender smoked brisket packed into soft slider buns and topped with a sweet and smoky whiskey BBQ sauce, perfect for casual gatherings and game days.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–5 lbs beef brisket flat cut (lean with some marbling)
  • Kosher salt
  • Coarse black pepper, freshly cracked
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Wood chips for smoking (hickory or oak preferred)
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup whiskey (bourbon or rye)
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Black pepper to taste
  • Salt to taste
  • 12 small slider buns (Parker House style or brioche)
  • Pickles (optional)
  • Coleslaw (optional)
  • Unsalted butter (for toasting buns)

Instructions

  1. Trim excess fat from the brisket, leaving about 1/4-inch for moisture. Mix kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder in a bowl. Rub the seasoning evenly all over the brisket. Cover and refrigerate overnight or at least 4 hours.
  2. Preheat your smoker or charcoal grill for indirect heat at 225°F (107°C). Add soaked wood chips (hickory or oak) to the smoker box or directly on coals.
  3. Place the brisket fat-side up on the grate. Maintain 225°F (107°C) and add wood chips as needed. Smoke until internal temperature reaches 195-205°F (90-96°C), about 6-8 hours.
  4. Remove brisket, wrap tightly in foil, and let rest in a cooler or warm place for at least 1 hour.
  5. While the brisket rests, combine ketchup, whiskey, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a saucepan. Simmer gently over low heat, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 10-12 minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  6. Slice the brisket thinly against the grain.
  7. Spread softened butter on the cut sides of slider buns and toast on a hot skillet or grill until golden and slightly crisp.
  8. Assemble sliders by layering sliced brisket on toasted buns, drizzling generously with whiskey BBQ sauce, and adding pickles or coleslaw if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

Keep smoker temperature steady to avoid drying out meat. Patience is key for developing bark and tender brisket. Resting the brisket is crucial for juicy slices. Simmer BBQ sauce gently to preserve whiskey flavor. Toast buns to prevent sogginess and add crunch.

Nutrition

Keywords: smoked brisket sliders, whiskey BBQ sauce, smoked brisket, BBQ sliders, game day recipe, backyard barbecue, easy BBQ sauce

Find it online: https://bitefuljoy.com/flavorful-smoked-brisket-sliders-recipe-with-easy-whiskey-bbq-sauce/