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Easy Braised Beef Brisket (How to Cook Tender Brisket in the Oven)

4.70 from 33 votes

Tender braised beef brisket recipe. Everyone will love this cozy and comforting food, especially on chilly nights. Every bite is packed with wonderful flavors.

Braised Beef Brisket

Braised beef brisket is a tasty one-pot meal that is a traditional food for different groups of people.

My husband grew up eating brisket as a Hanukkah food tradition. My good friend grew up in the South where Texas braised beef brisket was a game day food on Saturday barbeques. I don't have any such traditions, I'm just a lover of succulent and tender meat dishes!

Also, check out this mouth-watering Instant Pot Pulled Beef Brisket recipe.

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About This Braised Beef Brisket Recipe:

This braised beef brisket recipe uses a basic spice blend that you can find in your pantry but offers big flavors. It is easy to prepare, an easy beef recipe that anyone can make at home.

How to Cook Beef Brisket in the Oven

The Best Way to Cook Brisket

The brisket is a tough cut of beef. It's a versatile cut and one of the least expensive cuts of beef you can buy.

For maximum tenderness, you want to cook the brisket at a low temperature for a long time, such as slow cooked in a slow cooker or braised in the oven.

Slow Cooked Brisket

The slow cooking process allows the connective tissue to break down and gelatinize into rich and tender meat.

Don't let the long cooking time stop you from making this delicious braised beef recipe. It's worth it! This recipe doesn't require a lot of your attention. Just let your oven do the work. You only need to come back 2-3 times to check the tenderness and baste the beef with the sauce.

Hannukah Brisket

Braised Beef Brisket Ingredients

Here's a list of ingredients that you'll need to make this recipe:

  • Beef Brisket: The main star of the dish, brisket is a cut of beef that benefits from slow cooking, becoming tender and flavorful.
  • Thyme: A fragrant herb that adds earthy and subtle citrus notes to the dish, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
  • Paprika: This spice contributes a rich and smoky flavor, giving the brisket a depth of taste and a hint of warmth.
  • All-purpose flour: Used for coating the brisket before searing, the flour helps create a golden-brown crust, sealing in juices and adding a textural element.
  • Tomato Paste: Adds a concentrated tomato flavor, providing a savory and slightly sweet undertone to the braising liquid.
  • Yellow Onion: A fundamental ingredient for flavor base, the onion imparts a sweet and savory taste, complementing the richness of the brisket.
  • Garlic: Enhances the overall savory profile, adding depth and complexity to the dish.
  • Carrots: These add sweetness and a touch of earthiness to the braising liquid, as well as contributing to the overall texture.
  • Salt: Essential for seasoning, salt enhances the natural flavors of the ingredients and helps balance the dish.
  • Black Pepper: Adds a bit of heat and a peppery kick, elevating the overall taste experience.

In this recipe, I used a 3-pound beef brisket. You can double this recipe by using twice the amount of meat, vegetables, and spice rub. The only thing that you won't need to alter is the amount of tomato paste.

Braised Beef Brisket

How many briskets per Person

A good rule of thumb is about ½ pound of uncooked meat per person plus extra two pounds for leftovers.

How to Prepare Beef Brisket for Cooking

No matter which cooking method you use, you need to do the following steps for flavorful and irresistibly tender meat every time.

Dry Rub

Step 1. Pat the brisket dry

Pat the brisket dry with paper towels. Moisture causes steam, which prevents a good browning.

Seasoned Brisket

Step 2. Let the seasoned brisket sit at room temperature

Lightly season with the simple homemade dry rub and flour. In this recipe, I used a combination of thyme, paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper as a spice blend.

Let the seasoned brisket sit at room temperature, uncovered, about 1 hour before cooking.

Brown Brisket

Step 3. Brown the brisket

Add a small amount of oil in a large skillet or roasting pan. Sear the seasoned brisket over moderately high heat for about 4-5 minutes per side.

Browned Brisket

How to Cook Braised Beef Brisket in The Oven

Step 1. Prepare the Beef Brisket, as mentioned above.

Cook onions

Step 2. Cook sliced onions and tomato paste

  • Cook sliced onions over moderate heat, stirring occasionally until the onions are softened and golden browned for about 10-12 minutes.
  • Add tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes to caramelize the sugars, making the paste smoother and developing its flavors even further.
  • Gently scrape off the burnt bits from the bottom of your pan. Add 1-2 tablespoon of water or broth to loosen up the brown bits if needed.

Step 3. Add garlic, carrots, and brown brisket

  • Scatter the garlic and carrots around the edges of the pot. Place the brisket, fatty side up, and any accumulated juices on top of the onions.
  • No broth is needed.
Slow Cooked Beef and vegetables

Step 4. Cook at 350°F

  • Cover the roasting pan very tightly with aluminum foil or use a lid if you are using a Dutch oven. Cook the brisket for 1½ hours in the oven at 350°F.

Step 5. Cook at 325°F

  • Lower the temperature to 325°F. Baste the meat with some of its juices, cover with aluminum foil, and cook for 2 hours or until the meat is tender.
  • Check once or twice during cooking to make sure that the liquid is not drying up. If the sauce appears dry, feel free to add about ¼ of beef or chicken broth into the pot.
Braised Beef Brisket

What to Serve with Brisket

How to Store Leftover Cooked Brisket

First, let the cooked brisket cool to room temperature. After that, store the leftover in an airtight container then put it in the fridge for up to 4 days or 3 months in the freezer.

Slow Cooked Beef

How to Reheat Frozen Leftover Cooked Brisket

Simply defrost in the fridge for 24 hours. Reheat in the oven at 300°F, covered, for 30 minutes or longer or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

I hope you'll enjoy this recipe and share it with friends! If you try it and don’t mind, please leave me a comment and/or give this recipe a rating. Be sure to subscribe to receive weekly recipes and follow me on Pinterest.

📖 Recipe

Braised Beef Brisket

Braised Beef Brisket

Rika
Tender braised beef brisket recipe. Everyone will love this cozy and comforting food, especially on chilly nights. Every bite is packed with wonderful flavors.
4.70 from 33 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 438 kcal

Equipment

  • a roasting pan or braiser

Ingredients
 

Dry Rub:

For Braising:

  • 2 extra large onions, (sliced)
  • 6 garlic cloves, (peeled)
  • 3-4 large carrots, (cut in half)
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions
 

  • Pat the brisket dry with paper towels. Mix the dry rub and spread over the meat. Let it sit at room temperature, uncovered, for an 1 hour.
  • Pre-heat the oven to 350°F.
  • Heat oil in a roasting pan or dutch oven. Sear the brisket over moderately high heat for 4-5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
  • Add onions and a small pinch of salt to the pan, cook until golden brown for 10 minutes over moderate heat. Add tomato paste, cook for 1 minute. Turn off the heat.
    Be sure to scrape the bottom of the pot to remove any residue or brown spots to prevent burning. Add 1-2 tablespoon of broth or water to loosen it up if needed.
  • Scatter the garlic and carrots around the edges of the pot. Place the brisket, fatty side up, and any accumulated juices on top of the onions.
  • Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil or a lid if you're using a braiser. Cook brisket for 1½ hours.
  • Lower the temperature to 325°F. Baste the meat with some of its juices, covered, cook for 2 hours or longer until the meat is tender.
    Check once or twice during cooking to make sure that the meat juice is not drying up and to remove tender carrots from the pot. Add ¼ cup of beef/chicken broth if necessary.
  • Let it rest for 20 minutes. Skim the fat off, slice the brisket and transfer to a platter. Serve with the pan juices and vegetables.

Notes

Liquid: Be sure to use a dutch oven that is not too small or too big, just enough to hold the content comfortably. If you want a bit more juice, feel free to add a small amount of liquid (¼ cup of broth) to the pot.
Important: Don't forget to always cover the roasting pan with aluminum foil or a lid if you are using a braiser.
You can double this recipe by using twice the amount of meat, vegetables, and spice rub. The only thing that you won't need to alter is the amount of tomato paste.
 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 438kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 49gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 141mgSodium: 851mgPotassium: 1023mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 6429IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 5mg
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Comments

    4.70 from 33 votes (27 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Jess says

    5 stars
    I love the dry rub for this brisket. So easy!

    • Rika says

      Thanks, Jess!

  2. Jessica Formicola says

    5 stars
    I love a good brisket, and this one looks incredible! I can't wait to try it, thanks for sharing!

  3. Dannii says

    5 stars
    This looks perfectly cooked and so tender. I can't wait to try it.

  4. Jacqueline Meldrum says

    5 stars
    I like the flavours you's used in the rub and along side it.

    • Rika says

      Thanks, Jacqueline. It's a simple rub that offers a big flavor.

  5. Naiby says

    5 stars
    I'm all for cozy and comforting food. I love meals you can prepare quickly and let sit in the oven while you do other things. And most of all, get a savory meal.

    • Rika says

      I agree, it's a long process but requires very little attention.

  6. Tina says

    Not really braising as you have nowhere near enough liquid to braise it in! Braising should have liquid 1/2-3/4 of the meat submerged in it. You just have more of a basic pot roast.

    • Rika says

      Hi Tina,

      Thanks for sharing your feedback. You can add a small amount of liquid if you like especially if you're using a bigger pot. In this particular case, I found that the meat juice was sufficient enough to add moisture to the mixture.

      Best,

      Rika

  7. Rachel says

    Question - I need oven space, so I wanted to make this recipe in my crock pot. Do I have to change anything like the cook time to cook it in the crock pot on low vs the oven?

    • Rika says

      Sorry for the late reply, Rachel! I just saw your comment in my spam folder.
      Absolutely, you can cook the beef brisket in a slow cooker on low for 8-10 hours. If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask!

      Best,

      Rika

  8. Janelle says

    How would you cook this in a crockpot?

    • Rika says

      Hi Janelle,

      You can cook the beef brisket in a slow cooker on low for 8-10 hours. If you've got any more questions, just let me know—I'm here to help!

      Best,

      Rika

  9. Robin Michels says

    1 star
    The meat was tough.

    • Rika says

      Hi Robin,

      I apologize for the toughness of the meat. To remedy this, I recommend cooking it for a slightly longer duration. It's important to note that the cooking time can vary based on the type of pan or oven used in the recipe. Therefore, please adjust the cooking time as necessary until the meat reaches the desired tenderness that suits your preference.

      Best,

      Rika

  10. lisa says

    can i cook this on the grill

    • Rika says

      Hi Lisa,

      Yes, you can braise this on the grill. Braising on the grill is somewhat similar to braising in the oven. Sear the meat, then follow steps #4 to #6, but add 1/2 cup of broth to the mixture. Cover the dish with a lid or tin foil and place it on the grill. Close the lid and cook for 1-1/2 hours on medium-low heat (250°F - 300°F). Open the lid/foil and pour more liquid into the mixture, then continue cooking for an additional 1-1/2 hours or until the brisket has reached an internal temperature of 200°F. Replenish the liquid as needed.

      Let me know if you have any other questions.

      Best,

      Rika

      • N.c says

        Can this be done in slow cooker?

        • Rika says

          Hi N.C

          Yes, you can cook this beef brisket in a slow cooker on low for 8-10 hours. Feel free to ask if you have any other questions.

          Best,

          Rika