Beef Brisket with Caramelized Onions

This article was written by Julia Westbrook from Fatty ‘Cue, as a guest writer.

Do you like smoking a beef brisket and want to do something very special this time to impress your family and friends?

How about smoking beef brisket with caramelized onions? Delicious, tender beef brisket with caramelized onions to send you and your family straight into a food coma! 

It is a hearty meal promising plenty of tasty leftovers for weeknight suppers. Plus, your house will be the best smelling one on the block. Typically a holiday classic, brisket is simple enough for a family meal and versatile for special occasions. 

If you don't leave all the fun to your butcher, begin by carving the point-cut marbling and fat cap on the flat-cut of your meat to preference. Pat dry and massage gently with seasoning. Refrigerate to marinate or skip ahead to slow cooking with your electric smoker. And follow along with the recipe.

No smoker?Use your oven. Place your beef on a bed of soft, golden brown onions with the garlic-broth Worcestershire sauce mix in a covered Dutch pan or baking dish covered tightly with aluminum foil and cook in the oven. Cook at 325°F/162°C for 3-4 hours until fork-tender. At the low heat in the slow cooker, the brisket will cook for about 6-7 hours.

Remove from the oven to cool, transfer the brisket to a cutting board. For a 1/8 – 1/4-inch thick presentation, a sharp knife is necessary to slice your brisket. It is much easier to cut against the grain. To identify the grain, observe the direction of the muscle and cut it in the opposite direction.  

I've saved the best of last - the secret to getting crispy briskets with crusty spots. After seasoning, sear it in hot oil in a stainless steel or cast-iron skillet for 3-5 minutes on both sides. When done, transfer the meat to your oven, slow cooker, or smoker. The aroma will excite your taste buds for the rich flavors topped with onions and touch of sauce made from Worcestershire and beef broth. Let's dig into this recipe. 

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: beef brisket, dinner
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 220 kcal

Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 5 hrs
Total Time: 5 hrs 30 mins

Velvety rich flavor, you'll be smiling and doing your happy dance around the dinner table. 

Ingredients

• 3-5 pounds beef brisket
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 4 yellow onions sliced
• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 tablespoons butter unsalted
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 6 carrots, peeled and halved (optional)

Instructions

1. Turn on your stove vent, if you have one.
2. Add onions to shimmering melted butter in a large sauté pan or skillet over medium heat and stir frequently.
3. Cook for 10 minutes until lightly caramelized. Remove the onions, add olive oil to the pan, and heat to medium-high.
4. Pat dry the brisket with a paper towel and generously season with salt and pepper.
5. Add the brisket to the pan and sear for 3-5 minutes, flip once, when a golden-brown crust forms.
6. Transfer the beef to your smoker. Close the door and cook for 3 hours, cover tightly in aluminum.
7. Cook for another 2-3 hours until very tender. Transfer to a baking dish to rest for at least 20 minutes.
8. While the brisket rests, add the lightly caramelized onions, garlic, oil, Worcestershire sauce, broth, salt, and black pepper to a skillet and stir for 10 minutes.
9. Slice or shred the brisket and serve with the onions, gravy, and your side of choice. Or refrigerate and reheat at 300°F/148°C in an oven at a later date.