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Slow Cooked Beef Brisket with Rich Garlic Onion Gravy Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 84 reviews

This slow-cooked beef brisket recipe delivers tender, soul-warming perfection with a rich and flavorful gravy. The brisket is seasoned with a robust blend of spices, seared to develop a deep crust, and then slow-cooked alongside caramelized onions and garlic for hours until fork-tender. Perfect for a comforting family meal or special occasion, the brisket is sliced thin and served with a glossy, savory gravy.

Ingredients

Scale

Brisket and Seasoning

  • 4–5 lb (1.8–2.3 kg) beef brisket, fat cap trimmed to about 1/4 inch
  • 2 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp dried thyme

Cooking Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 6 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 1 1/2 cups low-sodium beef broth (use gluten-free if needed)
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (use gluten-free if needed)
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Optional: 1/2 tsp liquid smoke or 1 tsp espresso powder for depth

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Brisket: Pat the brisket dry with paper towels and trim the fat cap to about 1/4 inch thickness. In a small bowl, mix together kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin, chili powder, and dried thyme. Rub this spice blend evenly over the entire surface of the brisket to ensure deep flavor penetration.
  2. Sear the Brisket: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Carefully add the brisket and sear it for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until it develops a deep brown crust. This step locks in juices and intensifies flavor. Once seared, transfer the brisket to a slow cooker or a Dutch oven if you plan to use the oven method.
  3. Sauté Onions and Garlic: In the same skillet, add the thinly sliced yellow onions and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the brisket searing. Add the smashed garlic cloves and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 1 minute to marry the flavors.
  4. Slow Cook or Bake: Pour the onion and broth mixture over the brisket and add bay leaves. For slow cooking, cover and cook on Low for 8 to 10 hours or on High for 5 to 6 hours until the brisket is fork-tender. Alternatively, if using the oven, cover the Dutch oven tightly with a lid or foil and bake at 300°F (150°C) for 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours until tender.
  5. Rest and Strain: Remove the brisket from the cooking vessel and tent with foil on a cutting board. Let it rest for 20 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Meanwhile, strain the cooking liquid through a fine mesh sieve, discarding the bay leaves and solids to separate a smooth sauce.
  6. Reduce Sauce and Serve: Pour the strained cooking liquid into a saucepan and simmer over medium heat for 8 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally until reduced to a glossy, flavorful gravy. Slice the brisket against the grain into 1/4-inch thick slices or shred if preferred. Serve warm with the rich gravy and caramelized onions.

Notes

  • Trimming the fat cap to about 1/4 inch helps prevent the brisket from becoming too greasy while retaining moisture.
  • For deeper smoky flavor, add 1/2 tsp liquid smoke or 1 tsp espresso powder to the seasoning mix.
  • If using a Dutch oven, make sure it is tightly covered to keep the brisket moist during baking.
  • Resting the brisket after cooking is essential for tender, juicy slices.
  • Leftover brisket can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
  • Use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce and beef broth to make this recipe gluten-free.

Keywords: slow cooked beef brisket, tender brisket recipe, easy beef brisket, comfort food, slow cooker brisket, oven baked brisket

Find it online: https://thehungrymason.com/slow-cooked-beef-brisket-with-rich-garlic-onion-gravy-recipe/