Tender beef brisket slow-cooked until pull-apart soft, then caramelized with a savory‑sweet glaze—perfect for sandwiches, tacos, or hearty platters.
Author:Beth
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:3 hours 30 minutes
Total Time:3 hours 50 minutes (plus resting)
Yield:8 servings 1x
Category:Main Course
Method:Braise & Broil
Cuisine:American BBQ
Diet:Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
3–4 lb beef brisket
1 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup beef broth
½ cup barbecue sauce
⅓ cup brown sugar
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp chili powder
Salt & black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Season brisket generously with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear brisket on both sides until browned, about 4–5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
Add onion to pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute more.
Stir in beef broth, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon, and chili powder. Bring to a simmer.
Return brisket to pot, cover, reduce heat to low, and braise for 3–4 hours until fork-tender.
Remove brisket and shred using two forks. Return shredded meat to the pot and stir to coat in sauce.
Optional: spread meat on a baking sheet and broil for 3–5 minutes to caramelize edges, then toss and broil briefly again for extra char.
Serve hot in sandwiches, tacos, or over mashed potatoes.
Notes
Braising low and slow yields the most tender brisket.
Broiling steps add caramelized texture—don’t skip if you want crispy edges.
Adjust sweetness and heat by varying brown sugar and chili powder.
Leftovers freeze well in sauce for up to 3 months.
Great served with slaw or pickled onions for contrast.