Brisket is one of those tough cuts of meat that is preferably cooked in smokers. Here are some tips to cook a brisket in the oven.
Unlike certain other cuts of beef, briskets are tough, with lots of connective tissues. It is obtained from the lower chest part of the cow; and was believed to be a poor cut of beef, for a very long time. Now, it is very popular as one of the delicious and popular beef cuts. However, a brisket needs to be cooked properly, so as to make it tender as well as flavorful.
Cooking Brisket in the Oven
You may buy briskets as flat cuts that have lesser fat, or as point cuts with more fat. Whole briskets with fat cap is mostly preferred, and this type is called ‘packer’s cut’. While tender cuts of beef are preferred for quick cooking methods; tougher ones, like briskets, need to be cooked for longer periods, that too over low heat. This slow cooking method is necessary to break down the tissues in the meat, so as to make it tender and flavorful. Smoking over low heat on a barbecue smoker for a long duration, is the best method to cook briskets. It is also possible to cook a brisket in the oven. Here are some simple methods.
Easy Beef Brisket
Ingredients
- Trimmed beef brisket – 4 pounds
- Beef stock – 1½ cups
- Chili powder – 2 tbsp.
- Salt – 2 tbsp.
- Dry mustard – 2 tsp.
- Garlic powder – 1 tbsp.
- Onion powder – 1 tbsp.
- Sugar – 1 tbsp.
- Ground black pepper powder – 1 tbsp.
- Crushed bay leaf – 1
How to Prepare
Make a dry rub by combining chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed bay leaf, salt, sugar, dry mustard, and pepper powder. Apply the rub all over the brisket and keep it aside. Take a roasting pan and place the brisket in it. Roast the brisket for around an hour, in the oven that is preheated to 350° F. Once done, take out the pan and add the beef stock. You may also add a small amount of water, till the pan has at least half an inch of fluid in it. Cover the pan securely with the lid and cook for another three hours. This time, the temperature should be lowered to 300° F. So, in this case, the total cooking time is four hours. However, if the meat is not tender, you may continue cooking for some more time. The meat can be checked with a fork to see if it is done.
Spicy Oven-baked Brisket
Ingredients
- Untrimmed beef brisket – 4 pounds
- Apple cider vinegar – ¼ cup
- Worcestershire sauce – 1/8 cup
- Soy sauce – ¼ cup
- Liquid smoke – ¼ cup
- Black coffee – ¼ cup
- Crushed garlic cloves – 5
- Large onion – 1 (cut into slivers)
- Cayenne – 2 tsp.
- Ground black pepper – 2 tbsp.
- Salt – 2 tbsp.
- Sliced Jalapenos (fresh) – 4
How to Prepare
Make a dry rub by mixing cayenne, black pepper, garlic, and salt. Apply it all over the brisket and keep aside. Take a large roasting pan and spread half of the sliced jalapenos and slivered onion on its bottom. Add apple cider vinegar, black coffee, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and liquid smoke. Place the brisket in the pan, with its fat side up. The remaining jalapeno slices can be placed over the brisket, before covering the pan with foil. You have to bake the brisket for around four to five hours, in the oven that is preheated to 250° F. After the first four hours, check the doneness. If the meat has turned tender, you can remove it from the oven and serve. Otherwise, let the brisket cook in the oven, for another hour.
In short, briskets can be properly cooked in the oven, if you know the right method. So, try these recipes and enjoy delicious, oven-baked briskets.