Braised Brisket with Tomatoes & Onions

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Tamari, sherry, dried mushrooms and Worcestershire sauce add intense umami flavor to this saucy brisket. Read more about this recipe.

Braised Brisket with Tomatoes & Onions
Photo: Eric Wolfinger
Active Time:
40 mins
Total Time:
5 hrs
Servings:
10

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces dried mushrooms, such as porcini and/or shiitake

  • 2 cups boiling water

  • 1 (3 pound) flat-cut brisket (see Tip)

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 2 large onions, thinly sliced

  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled

  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste

  • 1 cup dry sherry, divided

  • 1 (28 ounce) can no-salt-added whole peeled tomatoes, crushed

  • 6 sprigs fresh thyme

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 1 (750 milliliter) bottle full-bodied red wine, such as cabernet sauvignon

  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (see Tip)

  • 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium tamari or soy sauce (see Tip)

  • ½ cup chopped fresh parsley

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

  2. Place mushrooms in a small bowl and cover with boiling water. Let soak for 30 minutes. Reserve the soaking liquid and chop the mushrooms.

  3. Meanwhile, trim all but 1/2-inch layer of fat from brisket. Season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large ovenproof pot over medium-high heat. Beginning with the fat-side down, sear the brisket, flipping occasionally, until browned all over, about 10 minutes total. Transfer to a plate.

  4. Reduce heat to medium. Add onions and garlic and cook, stirring often, until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add the mushrooms and reserved soaking liquid, stirring to scrape up any browned bits. Cook for 1 minute. Add 1/2 cup sherry, tomatoes, thyme and bay leaf and simmer for 2 minutes.

  5. Return the brisket, fat-side up, and any accumulated juices to the pot. Pour in wine. Cover the pot and transfer to the oven. Bake for 3 hours.

  6. Uncover and continue baking until the brisket is fork-tender and the sauce has thickened, 40 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes more.

  7. Transfer the brisket to a clean cutting board. Discard the thyme and bay leaf and skim fat from the surface. Stir vinegar, Worcestershire, tamari (or soy sauce) and the remaining 1/2 cup sherry into the sauce; cook over medium heat until slightly reduced, about 10 minutes. Slice the brisket against the grain and return it to the sauce. Serve sprinkled with parsley.

Tips

Derived from the cow's pectoral muscle, brisket is a large cut of meat, weighing up to 20 pounds. But most supermarkets sell it in smaller pieces. You'll often find it portioned in one of two ways: the leaner first-cut, also referred to as flat-cut, is better for braising.

To make this recipe kosher, substitute more tamari or soy sauce for the Worcestershire sauce.

People with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should use soy sauces that are labeled "gluten-free," as soy sauce may contain wheat or other gluten-containing ingredients.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

333 Calories
8g Fat
13g Carbs
32g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 10
Serving Size 3 oz. brisket & 1/2 cup sauce
Calories 333
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 13g 5%
Dietary Fiber 3g 11%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 32g 64%
Total Fat 8g 10%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 88mg 29%
Vitamin A 656IU 13%
Sodium 423mg 18%
Potassium 840mg 18%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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