This show-stopping cranberry holiday beef brisket is a true culinary delight. Its unique flavor profile, featuring notes of garlic, onion, Guinness, and aromatic herbs, makes it an ideal centerpiece for any festive gathering, whether celebrating Jewish holidays or simply enjoying a special occasion with loved ones. The combination of tender beef, sweet cranberries, and savory flavors creates a dish that’s equally impressive on Christmas Day as it is on any ordinary Tuesday. With its impressive presentation and bold flavor, this Christmas brisket recipe is sure to impress even the most discerning palates.
How to Make Holiday Brisket
Make this incredible brisket recipe your go-to holiday main course. To ensure its tenderness, bring it to room temperature by leaving it on the counter for 30 minutes before cooking. Rub the meat with oil and season it generously with kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried rosemary, and thyme, coating both the fat side and lean side evenly.Next, dice half an onion and slice the other half. Heat some olive oil in a pan, then sauté the onions, shallot, and garlic until they’re soft. Add cranberry sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and Guinness, cooking for a few more minutes. If you’re looking for alternative holiday beef recipes, consider trying our Holiday Beef Wellington or Cranberry Cream Cheese Stuffed Flank Steak.Preheat your oven and transfer half of the pan mixture to a large roasting pan. Add the onions, then place the brisket on top with the fat side facing down. Pour the remaining sauce over the brisket and surround it with potatoes and fresh cranberries. Garnish with rosemary and thyme for added flavor.Cover the dish with foil and roast in the oven for four hours or until the brisket is tender and the vegetables are fully cooked. Slice it with a sharp knife, serve with your favorite side dishes, and savor the delightful seasonal flavors in every bite. Use a wooden spoon to scrape the tasty brown bits from the pan bottom and stir them into the sauce.The best part? This dish requires minimal attention during its four-hour cooking time, making it perfect for Christmas or dinner parties when you have other tasks to attend to. It’s an ideal choice for brisket enthusiasts seeking a change of pace from turkey or ham.
How Can I Make This in a Crock Pot?
Brisket’s unique characteristic is its abundance of connective tissue, which demands a deliberate and prolonged cooking approach to achieve tender results rather than toughness. This inherent property makes it an ideal candidate for low-and-slow cooking methods like slow cookers or crockpots, as the meat can simmer at a leisurely pace, yielding an exceptional culinary experience.While a brisket with cranberry sauce cooked in a crockpot will typically require around nine hours of slow cooking, the actual time may vary depending on the specific shape and thickness of the meat. It’s possible that it might be ready in eight hours or take as long as ten, but the end result will be well worth the wait.Fortunately, the deliberate nature of this recipe is well-suited to both oven-roasting and slow-cooking methods, ensuring a consistently outstanding outcome regardless of your chosen approach.
What Do You Serve with a Christmas Brisket Recipe?
As the holiday season approaches, it’s time to think outside the box when it comes to traditional Christmas dishes. While turkey and ham are always popular choices, beef brisket offers a delicious alternative that can be just as satisfying. And with this cranberry holiday beef brisket recipe, you’ll have all the makings of a memorable meal without needing to add much extra. The dish already incorporates potatoes and onions, so why not take it up a notch by pairing it with some tasty side dishes? Consider adding some crispy bacon-wrapped green beans or smoky asparagus to round out the meal. And if you’re looking for a show-stopper for Thanksgiving dinner, this cranberry beef brisket is sure to be a hit with your guests.
Cranberry Holiday Beef Brisket FAQs
When it comes to storing leftover brisket, there’s no need to worry about it going to waste. Simply keep the leftovers in the roasting pan or transfer them to containers if you’re short on refrigerator space. This family favorite can be reheated in portions using the microwave or a warm oven. It’s best to consume this Christmas brisket recipe within two to three days, but it can also be frozen for up to three months.As for variations on this beef brisket recipe, there are plenty of ways to mix things up. Consider adding some sautéed mushrooms to give it an earthy twist, or swap the Guinness for your favorite dark beer – Irish Stout or Murphy’s work well too. If you prefer not to use alcohol, mushroom stock or soy sauce can also be used to great effect in your Christmas brisket recipe. The possibilities are endless and can help keep this dish fresh even after it’s initially served.
Cranberry Holiday Beef Brisket Recipe
Cranberry Holiday Beef Brisket
Bella Bucchiotti’s cranberry holiday beef brisket is a true showstopper. This mouthwatering dish is perfect for any festive occasion, whether it’s a Jewish holiday or simply a cold winter’s night. The combination of tender brisket and tart cranberries is a match made in heaven. And the best part? It’s incredibly easy to prepare. Simply set aside 15 minutes for prep time, then let the magic happen over the course of four hours and 30 minutes. This recipe yields six generous servings, making it an ideal choice for holiday gatherings or everyday meals.
Instructions
As the time approaches to cook the brisket, take it out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes prior to cooking. To create a flavorful rub, combine salt, pepper, dried thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl or ramekin. Rub this mixture all over the brisket, making sure to coat it generously with olive oil as well. Allow the brisket to sit for another 30 minutes, allowing the seasonings to penetrate the meat. Meanwhile, prepare the onions by slicing one half into thin strips and dicing the other half. Heat a saucepan over medium heat and add enough olive oil to coat the bottom. Once hot, add the diced onion, shallot, and garlic cloves. Cook for 5 minutes before adding cranberry, Worcestershire, and Guinness to the pan. Stir to combine and let cook for an additional 10 minutes. Preheat the oven to a moderate temperature of 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Pour half of the saucepan contents into the roasting pan, followed by the sliced onions and the brisket fat side down on top. Finish by pouring the remaining sauce over the top of the brisket. To add some crunch and visual appeal, surround the brisket with potatoes, dried cranberries, and fresh thyme and rosemary sprigs. Cover the dish with foil before placing it in the oven on the center rack. Bake for 4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld together. Finally, slice the brisket and serve it with the potatoes and sauce.