Description
Ready for the ultimate comfort food experience? This Slow Cooker Brisket with Balsamic Gravy takes a tough cut of beef and transforms it into something tender, juicy, and dripping in rich, tangy-sweet gravy. Whether you’re looking for an easy dinner idea to impress guests or a hearty option for weeknight family meals, this recipe nails it every time. It’s an easy recipe that’s full of slow-cooked flavor, perfect for anyone hunting for dinner ideas or classic food ideas with a twist.
This dish brings together a balance of deep umami from the beef, sharp brightness from balsamic vinegar, and caramel-like sweetness from brown sugar. It’s a melt-in-your-mouth kind of meal you’ll want on repeat, especially when you’re in need of something warm and satisfying.
Ingredients
3 to 4 pounds beef brisket, trimmed
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 large onions, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup beef broth
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Salt, to taste
2 tablespoons cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (for slurry)
Instructions
- Sear the Brisket: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high. Sear brisket until browned on all sides.
- Mix the Sauce: Combine broth, vinegar, sugar, Worcestershire, mustard, tomato paste, rosemary, pepper, and salt in a bowl. Stir well.
- Assemble in Slow Cooker: Place onions and garlic at the bottom. Add brisket and pour sauce over top.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover and cook on low for 8–10 hours or high for 4–5 hours, until fork-tender.
- Make Gravy: Remove brisket. Skim fat. Simmer cooking liquid and stir in cornstarch slurry to thicken.
- Serve: Slice brisket against the grain and top with balsamic gravy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8–10 hours (low) or 4–5 hours (high)
- Category: Dinner