'BARBECUED' BRISKET

'Barbecued' Brisket image

Brisket simply cannot be grilled over direct heat no matter how careful you are; it absolutely requires long, slow cooking. In fact, it's difficult to grill (or broil) without some form of precooking, whether in aluminum foil (a venerable trick that makes sense) or in a barbecue pit. The slow braising phase of cooking the beef, in a ketchup-and-chile-based sauce, may take a while - it doesn't surprise me when brisket takes three hours or even longer to become really tender - but the final browning can take as little as 10 minutes and produces fork-tender brisket.

Provided by Mark Bittman

Categories barbecues, main course

Time 3h

Yield 8 or more servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

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Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil or vegetable oil, more as needed
1 whole beef brisket, about 5 pounds
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 or 2 large onions, chopped
2 cups ketchup
1/2 cup dry red wine or water
1/4 cup wine or rice vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire or soy sauce
1 tablespoon chile powder, or to taste
2 cloves garlic, minced or crushed

Steps:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Heat a large pot or Dutch oven that can later be covered over medium-high heat for 2 or 3 minutes. When it is hot, add oil, swirl it around, then add beef. Sear meat for about 5 minutes on each side, seasoning with salt and pepper; when nicely browned, remove from pot. Turn off heat under pot for a minute.
Add onion to pot and cook, stirring, over medium-low heat until softened, 5 to 10 minutes (if meat is very lean you might need to add a little oil). Add all remaining ingredients, stir, and cook for about a minute. Return meat to pot, nestling it in sauce.
Cover pan, put it in oven, and cook until meat is tender, at least 2 hours and probably closer to 3. When it is done, you can refrigerate it in its liquid for 1 to 2 days before proceeding.
Light a charcoal or gas grill or heat broiler; rack should be about 4 inches away from heat source. Drain meat and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill or broil on both sides until brown and crisp, just a few minutes. Meanwhile, skim cooking liquid of fat, warm gently, and use as sauce.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 905, UnsaturatedFat 32 grams, Carbohydrate 21 grams, Fat 67 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 52 grams, SaturatedFat 26 grams, Sodium 934 milligrams, Sugar 14 grams