Sweet and Tangy Oven-Baked Beef Brisket

The Sweet and Tangy Beef Brisket is a true culinary masterpiece. It is a perfect blend of flavors and textures that evoke the comfort of home cooking while also presenting a touch of elegance fit for any dining table. This dish results from patience and finesse, starting with a carefully selected beef brisket cut known for its rich marbling and deep flavors. Trimmed of excess fat yet retaining just enough to melt into the meat during the cooking process, the brisket serves as the foundation for this dish’s complexity.

The brisket is first seasoned with generous amounts of salt and ground black pepper, ensuring the meat is infused with these fundamental flavors. After seasoning, the brisket is then combined with a carefully selected mix of ingredients that aim to enhance its natural taste. The sauce, made with a harmonious blend of tomato paste and beef broth, serves as the base for the dish. This sauce is made with brown sugar, which gives it a molasses-like sweetness, complementing the savory flavor of the meat. To balance out the richness, apple cider vinegar and soy sauce are added to create a tangy contrast. Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce are also included to add depth and umami. Additionally, paprika and cumin add warmth and a hint of smokiness to the sauce, creating an aromatic and flavor-packed concoction that perfectly pairs with brisket.

As the brisket is simmered at the gentle heat of 275°F, it becomes tender and succulent. The meat can easily be pulled apart with just a nudge of a fork. The low and slow cooking method allows the meat to absorb the nuances of the sauce, making the sweet tanginess a part of its very essence. However, the brilliance of this dish doesn’t end there. In a bold move, the brisket is removed from its liquid cocoon and roasted at 450°F until the exterior is caramelized, creating a delightful crust that contrasts with the tender interior.

As the brisket finishes, the sauce also transforms. It simmers on the stovetop, thickening into a smooth glaze that intensifies all the flavors surrounding the brisket. This reduction not only serves as a sauce but also makes a statement by emphasizing the rich narrative of the dish.

Serving the Sweet and Tangy Beef Brisket is an act of sharing a meal and an experience. When sliced against the grain, each piece becomes a mosaic of textures that ranges from the crispy edges to the melt-in-your-mouth center. Drizzled with the reduced sauce, the brisket glistens, inviting you to indulge in a bite that promises warmth, comfort, and a perfect balance of flavors.

This dish is more than just a recipe; it’s a journey through various tastes and textures, a testament to the beauty of slow cooking and the magic that occurs when ingredients come together under the right conditions.

It’s a celebration of the beef brisket, elevated from its humble beginnings to star status, surrounded by a cast of flavors that enhance but never overshadow. Sweet and Tangy Beef Brisket is more than just food; it’s a culinary adventure, a comfort, and a delight, all served on a single plate.

Sweet and Tangy Oven-Baked Beef Brisket

5 from 2 votes

Recipe by Kyle Taylor Course: MainsCuisine: New AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

3

hours 

30

minutes

Total time

4

hours 

Sweet and tangy beef brisket combines slow-cooked beef’s deep, rich flavors with a glossy, caramelized sauce that balances sweetness with a spicy kick.

Ingredients

• 3-4 pound 3-4 beef brisket, trimmed of excess fat

• to taste, salt and ground black pepper

• 1 large 1 onion, quartered

• 4 cloves of 4 garlic, smashed

• 1/2 cup 1/2 tomato paste

• 2 cups 2 beef broth

• 1/2 cup 1/2 brown sugar

• 1/4 cup 1/4 apple cider vinegar

• 1/4 cup 1/4 soy sauce

• 2 tablespoons 2 Dijon mustard

• 2 tablespoons 2 Worcestershire sauce

• 1 teaspoon 1 paprika

• 1 teaspoon 1 cumin

Directions

• Preheat the Oven:
  Begin by preheating your oven to 275°F (135°C). This lower temperature will allow the brisket to cook slowly, ensuring it becomes tender without drying out.
• Prepare the Sauce and Vegetables:
  Whisk together the tomato paste, beef broth, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, and cumin in a large bowl. Place the quartered onions and smashed garlic in the bottom of a roasting pan or a large oven-safe pot.
• Prepare the Brisket:
  Season the brisket all over with salt and ground black pepper. Place it in the pan with the sauce and vegetables.
• Slow Cook:
  Cover the pan tightly with foil. Cook in the preheated oven for about 3 hours, or until the brisket is nearly fork-tender. The exact time will depend on the size and thickness of your brisket.
• Remove Brisket:
  Once the brisket is tender, carefully remove it from the sauce and transfer it to a baking sheet.
• Finish the Brisket:
  Increase the oven temperature to 450°. Place the brisket in the oven, uncovered, for 30 minutes, or until the exterior is caramelized. Keep an eye on it to prevent over-browning.
• Reduce the Sauce:
  While the brisket finishes cooking, pour the sauce from the roasting pan into a saucepan. Bring it to a simmer over medium heat, and let it reduce until thickened to your liking, about 10 minutes. This concentrates the flavors and creates a richer, more robust sauce.
• Rest:
  After removing the brisket from the oven, let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This rest period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring each slice is moist and flavorful.
• Serve:
  Slice the brisket against the grain and serve it with the reduced sauce spooned over the top or on the side for dipping.

Combining sweet and tangy beef brisket with kimchi coleslaw elevates it to new heights, creating an unforgettable sandwich. Luscious slices of brisket, rich with a balance of sweetness and tang, find their perfect match in the spicy and crunchy kimchi coleslaw. The combination is nestled between the halves of a soft ciabatta roll, introducing a symphony of flavors and textures. The tender and flavorful brisket perfectly complements the coleslaw’s vibrant zest, making every bite a delightful experience. This sandwich showcases the brisket freshly and innovatively and adds a punch of Korean flair, transforming a classic dish into a modern and gourmet treat.