Slow-Cooked Savory Beef Brisket: A Home-Cooking Classic

Ingredients

  • 5-6 lbs beef brisket
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 onions, thinly sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Steps and instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
  2. Season the beef brisket on all sides with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe pot over medium-high heat.
  4. Add the brisket and sear on both sides until browned. Remove from the pot and set aside.
  5. In the same pot, add the onions and garlic. Sauté until the onions are translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
  6. Place the seared brisket back into the pot on top of the onions and garlic.
  7. In a separate bowl, mix together the beef broth, barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce, then pour the mixture over the brisket.
  8. Cover the pot and place it in the preheated oven. Cook for about 3-4 hours, or until the brisket is tender and can easily be pulled apart with a fork.
  9. Once the brisket is cooked, let it rest for about 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
  10. Enjoy your beef brisket with the sauce from the pot poured over the top.

Tools for making

  • Oven-safe pot - A large pot that can be used in the oven to cook the brisket.
  • Cutting board - A sturdy surface for slicing and preparing the brisket.
  • Chef's knife - A sharp knife for trimming and slicing the brisket.
  • Tongs - Used to flip and handle the brisket while searing and cooking.
  • Measuring spoons - For accurate measurement of salt, pepper, and other ingredients.
  • Mixing bowl - Used for combining the sauce ingredients.
  • Whisk - To mix the sauce ingredients together smoothly.
  • Fork - To check the tenderness of the brisket.
  • Serving platter - A dish or tray for presenting the sliced brisket.
  • Saucepan - If desired, for heating and reducing the sauce before serving.

Recipe variations

  • Smoked Brisket: Instead of cooking the brisket in the oven, you can smoke it on a barbecue grill or smoker for a smoky flavor.
  • Spicy Brisket: Add some heat to your brisket by incorporating spices like cayenne pepper, chili powder, or hot sauce to the barbecue sauce or dry rub.
  • Asian-inspired Brisket: Use soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and hoisin sauce to create an Asian-inspired marinade for the brisket.
  • Beer-Braised Brisket: Replace some or all of the beef broth with your favorite beer for a rich and flavorful twist.
  • Slow Cooker Brisket: Instead of using the oven, you can cook the brisket in a slow cooker on low heat for 8-10 hours, allowing it to become tender and juicy.
  • Vegetarian/Vegan Brisket Alternative: Substitute the beef brisket with a meat alternative like seitan or jackfruit, marinated and cooked in a similar sauce for a plant-based version.
  • Tex-Mex Brisket: Add Tex-Mex flavors by using spices like cumin, paprika, and chipotle powder. Serve the sliced brisket in tacos or burritos with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.
  • Mustard-Crusted Brisket: Create a tangy crust by spreading a layer of mustard over the brisket before adding the dry rub or marinade.
  • Hawaiian-style Brisket: Add a taste of the tropics by incorporating pineapple juice, soy sauce, and ginger into the marinade or sauce.

Recipe overview

This delicious and tender Beef Brisket recipe is sure to become a family favorite! Prepared with a simple blend of spices and slow-cooked in a savory mixture of beef broth, barbecue sauce, and apple cider vinegar, this brisket is full of flavor and melts in your mouth with every bite. You'll start by seasoning the beef and searing it to lock in the juices, then sautéing onions and garlic to build a rich base of flavor. The brisket is then slow-cooked in the oven with a tangy and sweet sauce that infuses every bit of the meat with incredible taste. After a few hours, the brisket becomes so tender that it can easily be pulled apart with a fork. The end result is a succulent, flavorful brisket that's perfect for any occasion, whether it's a family dinner or a festive holiday feast. Serve it with the sauce from the pot for an extra burst of flavor, and enjoy a meal that's truly comforting and satisfying. This recipe requires a bit of patience due to the slow cooking process, but the wait is well worth it when you taste the final product. Just follow the easy steps, and you'll have a scrumptious beef brisket that everyone will love.

Common questions

  1. How long does it take to cook the beef brisket? - The beef brisket needs to cook for about 3-4 hours in the oven at 325°F (165°C) until it is tender and easily pulled apart with a fork.
  2. Can I use a different cut of beef? - While beef brisket is preferred for this recipe due to its tenderness and flavor, you can try using other cuts such as chuck roast or bottom round roast if needed.
  3. Can I use a slow cooker instead of the oven? - Yes, you can use a slow cooker instead of the oven. Cook the brisket on low heat for 8-10 hours or on high heat for 4-6 hours, until tender.
  4. Can I make this recipe ahead of time? - Yes, you can make the beef brisket ahead of time. After cooking, let it cool, then refrigerate it in its cooking liquid. Reheat it in the oven or on the stovetop before serving.
  5. What sides go well with beef brisket? - Popular side dishes to serve with beef brisket include mashed potatoes, coleslaw, roasted vegetables, cornbread, or a fresh green salad.
  6. Can I freeze the leftover brisket? - Absolutely! You can freeze leftover brisket. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and place it in a freezer-safe container or bag. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Serving dishes and utensils

  • Cutting board - A sturdy surface for slicing and serving the brisket.
  • Chef's knife - A sharp knife for trimming and slicing the brisket.
  • Tongs - Used for flipping and handling the brisket while searing and cooking.
  • Oven-safe pot with lid - A large pot that can be used both on the stovetop and in the oven to cook the brisket.
  • Measuring spoons - For precise measurement of ingredients like salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.
  • Mixing bowl - Used for combining the beef broth, barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.
  • Serving platter - A large platter to present and serve the sliced brisket.
  • Saucepan - Optional, for heating and reducing the sauce if desired.
  • Fork - For checking the tenderness of the brisket while cooking.
  • Meat thermometer - Optional, for checking the internal temperature of the brisket to ensure it's cooked to your desired level of doneness.

Origin stories

Beef brisket as we know it today has its roots in Southern United States, particularly Texas, where it has been a staple of barbecue culture for generations. The tradition of slow-cooking tough cuts of meat like brisket over a low, smoky fire dates back to the cattle drives of the 1800s. It was during these drives that the cowboys discovered the secret of transforming a less desirable cut of beef into a tender, flavorful meal. To keep themselves fed on the trail, cowboys would often take along the less desirable cuts of meat, like brisket, which is a tough, stringy piece of meat that requires long, slow cooking to break down the tough fibers. They discovered that by slow-cooking the brisket over a low fire, the tough meat would become tender and flavorful, and thus, the tradition of Texas barbecue was born. Today, brisket is considered a quintessential piece of Southern barbecue and a true labor of love, often smoked for up to 18 hours to achieve the perfect balance of tenderness and flavor.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.