Recipe

Oven Brisket

A velvety, rich oven brisket with a glossy onion gravy, crisp edges, and tender slices that actually hold together. Holiday-worthy, weeknight-manageable with a little planning.

By Matt Campbell

•

4.8

A sliced oven-braised beef brisket on a platter with glossy onion gravy, surrounded by braised carrots and fresh herbs on a holiday table

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If you have ever wanted brisket that feels restaurant fancy but cooks like a calm, cozy home project, this is the one. We are going full oven braise: a good sear, a ridiculous amount of onions, a splash of something acidic to keep it bright, and low heat until the brisket turns into that velvety, sliceable dream. Not shreddy pot roast. Not dry holiday disappointment. Actual tender slices with juicy edges you will “taste-test” directly from the cutting board.

This recipe is written for real life. Ingredients are easy to find, the method is forgiving, and the sauce is built right in the pan. Bonus: brisket is one of those rare meats that tastes even better after a night in the fridge, which makes it perfect for festive meals when you would rather hang out than babysit the oven.

A raw beef brisket flat on a cutting board being seasoned with salt and pepper next to sliced onions and garlic

Why It Works

Velvety texture, not stringy: Low, steady heat plus a tight braise gives you tender slices that still have structure.
Rich, glossy gravy: The onions melt into the braising liquid, then get blended into a sauce that clings to every bite.
Bright flavor in a “cozy” dish: Tomato paste and a splash of vinegar balance the fat so the brisket tastes rich, not heavy.
Make-ahead friendly: Chilling overnight lets you skim fat easily and slice cleanly. It also deepens the flavor.

Pairs Well With

Buttery mashed potatoes or garlic mashed cauliflower
Braised carrots and parsnips with honey and thyme
Egg noodles or a wide, cozy pasta for extra sauce traction
Simple arugula salad with lemon and shaved Parmesan

A serving of sliced brisket over mashed potatoes with onion gravy and a side of braised carrots

Storage Tips

Refrigerate

Store brisket sliced and submerged in sauce in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Keeping it in sauce is the difference between juicy leftovers and sad, dry slices.

Freeze

Freeze brisket with plenty of gravy in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

Reheat (best method)

Put brisket and sauce in a covered baking dish and warm at 300°F until hot, about 20 to 35 minutes depending on thickness. Add a splash of beef broth if the sauce tightened up in the fridge.

Quick reheat (small portions)

Microwave gently at 50 to 70% power, stirring the sauce between bursts. This keeps the meat tender instead of overcooking the edges.

Common Questions

What cut of brisket should I buy?

For this recipe as written (timing, pot size, seasoning), buy a 4 to 6 lb brisket flat or a similarly sized point. A whole packer brisket (flat + point) is usually 10 to 14+ lbs, so it will not fit most Dutch ovens and it will take longer.

If you do find a packer and want to use it: use a very large roaster, plan on a longer cook, and scale the seasoning and braising liquid up to match the weight. Cook until tender, not by the clock.

Flat slices neatly but can dry out if overcooked, so keep it well-braised and do not rush the rest. Point is fattier and more forgiving.

Do I really need to sear it?

You do not have to, but you should. Searing builds deep flavor fast and gives you those crisp edges that make brisket feel festive.

Why does my brisket turn out tough even after hours?

Usually it is not “undercooked,” it is not cooked long enough for the connective tissue to fully break down. Keep braising until a fork slides in with little resistance. If it feels tight, give it another 30 to 45 minutes and check again.

How do I slice brisket so it is tender?

Slice against the grain. The grain direction can change between flat and point, so look closely. If slices seem chewy, you probably cut with the grain.

Can I make this ahead for a holiday?

Yes, and it is honestly the move. Cook it a day early, chill, skim fat, slice cold, then rewarm in sauce in the oven. Less stress, better brisket.

My sauce tastes flat. What fixes it?

Add one of these, a little at a time: salt, a splash of vinegar, a pinch of sugar, or an extra spoon of tomato paste sautéed briefly in the pot before you blend. Taste as you go. You are in charge here.

Matt Campbell

I have always had a huge passion for the culinary arts, people, working as a team, and so on. I wanted to pursue my love for cooking initially at Virginia Commonwealth University with a culinary arts degree; however, I instead decided to apply myself and acquire more practical skills. My end goal is to eventually open my own restaurant or similar establishment.

Kitchen Essentials

Large Dutch oven (6 to 8 quarts) or a deep roasting pan with tight foil cover
Oven-safe thermometer (optional but helpful)
Large cutting board with a juice groove
Sharp slicing knife
Blender or immersion blender for the velvety onion gravy
Tongs for turning the brisket

I love brisket because it is a team sport without the chaos. You do the important stuff up front: season hard, sear, build a sauce that smells like you know what you are doing. Then the oven takes over and you get to be a person again. The first time I nailed that “sliceable but tender” texture, I remember cutting into it and thinking, wait, why did I ever stress-cook meat on purpose? Now it is my go-to when I want the table to feel festive without turning the kitchen into a meltdown zone.

Oven Brisket

(4.8 Reviews)

Prep Time 25 minutes

Cook Time 4 hours 15 minutes

Total Time 4 hours 40 minutes (plus resting)

Servings 8 to 10

Ingredients

1 brisket (4 to 6 lb), brisket flat or a similar-size point
2 1/2 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
1 1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
2 tbsp neutral oil (avocado, canola)
3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
6 cloves garlic, smashed and roughly chopped
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 cup beef broth
1/2 cup dry red wine (or more broth)
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or red wine vinegar)
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 bay leaves
2 to 3 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp cold water (optional, for thickening)

Optional festive add-ins:

3 to 4 carrots, cut into big chunks
2 celery ribs, cut into big chunks

Instructions

Heat the oven: Set to 300°F. Position a rack in the lower middle of the oven.
Season the brisket: Pat dry. Mix salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Season all over, including the sides. Let it sit while you slice the onions. If you have 30 extra minutes, let it hang out uncovered in the fridge for a drier surface and better sear.
Sear for flavor: Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add oil. Sear brisket 4 to 6 minutes per side until deeply browned. If it sticks, it is not ready yet. Let it release. Transfer brisket to a plate.
Build the onion base: Lower heat to medium. Add onions with a pinch of salt. Cook 10 to 12 minutes, stirring, until softened and taking on golden edges. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
Toast the tomato paste: Stir in tomato paste and cook 2 minutes, scraping the bottom. You want it to darken slightly. That is the deep, rich part.
Deglaze and braise: Pour in wine and scrape up every browned bit. Add beef broth, vinegar, Worcestershire, brown sugar, bay leaves, thyme, and Dijon. Stir. Nestle brisket back in, fat-side up. Add carrots and celery now if using, tucking them around the meat.
Cover tight: Put the lid on. If your lid is not snug, lay a sheet of foil over the pot first, then add the lid. You want a tight seal.
Braise: Transfer to oven and cook for 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours. Start checking around 3 1/2 hours. It is done when a fork slides in with very little resistance. If it still feels tight, keep going and check every 30 minutes.
Rest (do not skip): Move brisket to a cutting board and tent loosely with foil. Rest 20 to 30 minutes.
Make it velvety: If you added carrots and celery, fish them out now and set aside. Remove bay leaves and thyme stems. Blend the onions and braising liquid until smooth using an immersion blender or a countertop blender (vent the lid, blend carefully). Taste and adjust salt and vinegar as needed.
Optional gravy thickening: If you want a thicker sauce, simmer the blended gravy on the stovetop. Stir in cornstarch slurry (cornstarch + cold water) and cook 1 to 2 minutes until glossy.
Slice against the grain: Find the grain lines and slice thinly. If the grain changes direction between sections, rotate the brisket as you slice.
Serve like you mean it: Spoon sauce over the slices. Add the braised carrots and celery on the side (or pile them right onto the platter). Save extra gravy for seconds, because there will be seconds.

Sliced brisket being cut against the grain on a wooden cutting board with onion gravy nearby

Make-ahead (recommended for holidays)

Cook brisket fully, cool, and refrigerate overnight in its sauce. The next day, skim excess fat, slice cold, then rewarm slices in sauce in a covered dish at 300°F until hot.

Nutrition information is estimated.

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