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Coffee-Rubbed Brisket Recipe with Cherry Bourbon BBQ Sauce

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A flavorful brisket rubbed with coffee and spices, cooked low and slow, and served with a sweet and tangy cherry bourbon BBQ sauce. Perfect for special occasions and crowd-pleasing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons finely ground coffee (freshly ground if possible)
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly cracked
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 4 to 5 pounds beef brisket, trimmed of excess fat
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cherries, pitted
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Trim excess fat from the brisket, leaving about 1/4 inch for flavor and moisture.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine ground coffee, smoked paprika, brown sugar, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Stir well.
  3. Lightly coat the brisket with olive oil. Generously apply the coffee rub all over the brisket, pressing it into the meat. Let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  4. Preheat smoker or oven to 275°F (135°C). For smokers, use wood chips like hickory or oak. If using oven, place a rack in a roasting pan.
  5. Place brisket fat side up on the rack or smoker grate. Cook low and slow for 3 to 4 hours, or until internal temperature reaches 195°F to 205°F (90°C to 96°C).
  6. While brisket cooks, combine cherries, ketchup, bourbon, vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, and cinnamon in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 15-20 minutes until cherries are soft.
  7. Blend sauce until smooth, season with salt and pepper, and keep warm.
  8. Remove brisket and wrap tightly in foil or butcher’s paper. Let rest for at least 30 minutes.
  9. Slice brisket against the grain into thin pieces. Serve with cherry bourbon BBQ sauce.

Notes

If brisket dries out during cooking, spritz occasionally with apple cider vinegar or water. If sauce thickens too much, add a splash of water and reheat gently. Resting the brisket after cooking is essential for juicy slices. Slice against the grain for best texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: coffee rub, brisket, cherry bourbon BBQ sauce, smoked brisket, barbecue, slow cooked, easy brisket recipe

Find it online: https://cooksyla.com/coffee-rubbed-brisket-recipe-with-cherry-bourbon-bbq-sauce-easy-and-flavorful/