Slow-Cooker Brisket and Onions

(from 226-2tone’s recipe box)

Serves 8

The leaner flat-cut brisket is the better choice for this recipe. The thicker point cut is much fattier-a good thing on the grill, where the excess fat can drip away, but a disadvantage in a slow cooker, where the fat can make the sauce greasy. If you end up with an especially thick piece of brisket, extend the cooking time to 11 hours.

Source: Cook's Country October/November 2006 (from RecipeThing user Bethany)

Categories: Meat

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 3 large onion (about 2 pounds), halved and sliced 1/2-inch thick
  • 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
  • Salt
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 3/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar (plus 1 teaspoon)
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 beef brisket (5-pound) flat-cut, trimmed of excess fat
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 3 bay leaves

Directions

  1. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Cook onions, brown sugar, and 1-4 teaspoon salt until onions are golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and flour and cook until darkened, about 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in broth and cook until sauce thickens, about 4 minutes. Off heat, stir in 2 tablespoons vinegar and transfer mixture to bowl.

  2. Combine 1 teaspoon salt, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne in bowl. Using fork, prick brisket all over. Rub spice mixture over brisket and wrap tightly in plastic. Cover bowl with onion mixture with plastic wrap. Refrigerate brisket and bowl with onion mixture overnight.

  3. The next morning, add half of onion mixture to slow-cooker insert. Add thyme and bay leaves and place brisket, fat side up, on top. (Don’t be alarmed if the edges of the brisket sit above the liquid in the slow-cooker insert. As the brisket cooks, it will shrink and the edges will become submerged in the liquid.)

  4. Spread remaining onion mixture over brisket. Set slow cooker to low, cover, and cook until brisket is fork-tender, 9 to 10 hours (or cook on high for 5 to 6 hours). Turn cooker off and allow brisket to rest for 30 minutes.

  5. Transfer brisket to cutting board, cut across grain into 1_2-inch slices, and transfer to serving platter. Tent with foil. Pour sauce into large skillet, discard herbs, and simmer over high heat until slightly thickened, 8 to 10 minutes. Skim fat, add remaining vinegar, then pour half of sauce over brisket. Serve with remaining sauce on side.

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