Oven-braised Beef Brisket with Onions and Carrots

This tender oven-braised brisket is seared, then slowly cooked with onions, carrots, garlic, tomato paste, and beef stock until sliceable and deeply savory. It is a classic no-smoker brisket for a comforting dinner, with a glossy pan sauce spooned over the meat.
Prep: 25 min · Cook: 225 min · Total: 250 min · Serves: 6
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 2 cups low-sodium beef stock
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 whole bay leaves
- 3 medium carrots (cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 3 lb beef brisket flat (trimmed to 1/4-inch fat cap)
- 5 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 2 stalks celery stalks (sliced)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 large yellow onions (thinly sliced)
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 tbsp brown sugar (packed)
- 1 tsp black pepper (freshly ground)
Instructions
- Place a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C) for at least 15 minutes while you prepare the brisket.
- Pat the 3 lb beef brisket flat dry with paper towels on a rimmed baking sheet, then season all sides evenly with 2 tsp kosher salt and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper; keep the raw beef separate from ready-to-eat foods and wash your hands, board, and utensils after handling it.
- Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a 6-quart Dutch oven over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers, about 2 minutes.
- Add the brisket fat-side down to the Dutch oven and sear without moving until a deep brown crust forms, 5-6 minutes; turn with tongs and sear the second side for 5-6 minutes, then transfer the brisket to a clean plate.
- Reduce the heat to medium, add the 2 large thinly sliced yellow onions to the same Dutch oven, and cook with a wooden spoon until softened and lightly golden at the edges, 8-10 minutes.
- Add the 3 medium carrots and 2 sliced celery stalks to the Dutch oven and cook over medium heat until the vegetables begin to soften, about 4 minutes.
- Stir in the 5 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp tomato paste, then cook over medium heat until the garlic is fragrant and the tomato paste darkens slightly, 1-2 minutes.
- Pour in 1 cup dry red wine and scrape the bottom of the Dutch oven with a wooden spoon over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes, until the wine is reduced by about half and the browned bits are dissolved.
- Stir in 2 cups low-sodium beef stock, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 bay leaves, 4 fresh thyme sprigs, and 1 tbsp packed brown sugar, then bring the liquid to a steady simmer over medium-high heat, about 3 minutes.
- Return the brisket and any accumulated juices to the Dutch oven fat-side up, nestling it into the vegetables so the liquid comes about halfway up the meat; cover the pot tightly with its lid.
- Transfer the covered Dutch oven to the 325°F (163°C) oven and braise for 3 hours, turning the brisket over once halfway through, until a fork slides into the thickest part with little resistance and an instant-read thermometer registers at least 200°F (93°C) for tender slicing.
- Move the brisket to a cutting board, tent loosely with foil, and rest for 20 minutes so the juices redistribute while the vegetables and sauce remain in the covered Dutch oven off the heat.
- Remove and discard the bay leaves and thyme stems, then skim excess fat from the surface of the pan sauce with a spoon; if a thicker sauce is desired, simmer it uncovered in the Dutch oven over medium heat for 8-10 minutes until glossy and slightly reduced.
- Slice the rested brisket across the grain into 1/4-inch slices with a sharp carving knife, arrange it on a warm platter with the onions and carrots, and spoon the hot pan sauce over the top before serving.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 563
- Protein: 47 g
- Fat: 34 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 1005 mg
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