Brown Sugar and Beer-Brined Wings

Brown Sugar and Beer-Brined Wings

Brown Sugar and Beer-Brined Wings

15 mins
4 hrs
35 mins
12

Wings are typically top-of-mind when you think tailgating. Flexible in flavor and easy to share with friends, wings bring it at game time. Brown Sugar and Beer-Brined Wings are built with layers of beer brine to impart flavor and a dry rub to bring the heat. Add bright citrus flavor and earthy cumin with a layer of your favorite BBQ sauce for a winning tailgate dish.

Ingredients

For the Wings

  • 12 chicken wings, cut into drumettes and wingettes
  • 1 cup your favorite BBQ sauce

For the Brine

  • 1 12 ounce beer
  • 3 1/2 cups water
  • 1/4 kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried minced garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried onion flake
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
  • 1 bay leaf

For the Rub

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon turbinado sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile
  • 1/2 teaspoon ancho chile
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon peel, dried and minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon coriander
  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin

Directions

Step 1 Of 9
1
In a large bowl, mix together the beer, water, salt, brown sugar, garlic, onion, red pepper flakes, and bay leaf. Wisk until the salt and brown sugar are dissolved.
2
Place the wings into a gallon bag and pour the brine in. Seal the bag and refrigerate for 4 to 8 hours.
3
Preheat your grill to medium high heat, around 400°F, with two zones - one direct and the other indirect.
Hot Tip
For a charcoal grill, this will mean putting the coals on one side. For a gas grill, you will have burners turned on on one side and off on the other.
4
Take your wings out of the brine and discard the brine. Pat the wings as dry as possible.
5
In a bowl, mix together rub ingredients and throughly apply to wings.
6
Cook the wings over direct heat, 3 to 5 minutes per side.
7
Shift the wings to the indirect side of the grill and allow them to cook with the lid closed until they reach an internal temperature of 180-185°F. This should take about 20 more minutes.
8
Toss the wings in your BBQ sauce and return to the indirect side of the grill. This should be just long enough to cook the sauce, about 5 minutes.
9
Remove and serve.
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