Oven-Barbecued Beef Brisket (Serves 6-8)

Ingredients

Brisket:

• 1 (3-5 pound) brisket, fat trimmed to about ¼ inch thick
• Salt, to taste
• Ground black pepper, to taste

Brisket Rub:
• 1 packed Tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste (optional)

Barbecue Sauce
• 2 Tablespoons butter (or rendered brisket fat)
• 1 cup finely chopped onion (about ½ of a large onion)
• 2 – 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• ⅓ cup packed dark brown sugar
• ½ cup ketchup
• 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced (about 1 Tablespoon)
• ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup bourbon
• Reserved brisket juices, skimmed of fat

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 275F and place an oven rack in the middle of the oven.

2. Season the brisket with salt and black pepper.

3. Prepare the brisket rub: In a small bowl, mix the spice rub ingredients together until they’re well combined.

4. Rub the spice mixture all over the brisket, making sure to get the spices in all the nooks and crannies.

5.  Make a double-layered aluminum foil pouch for the brisket: Place two layers of foil down on the counter, place the brisket (fat side up) on the foil, and pull the edge of the foil up around the brisket. The pouch needs to be sealed well so that all the moisture is kept in. Let the spice rub sink in for 3-24 hours, or cook immediately.

6. Place the foil pouch on a baking sheet or baking dish and cook for 3-5 hours, depending on the size of the brisket.

7. Turn the oven off and allow the brisket to rest until it’s cool enough to handle.

8. Pour the juices from the brisket into a large measuring cup or bowl. Skim two tablespoons of fat from the juices (for the sauce). Keep the brisket wrapped in the foil, and return it to the warm oven while you make your BBQ sauce.

9. Heat a medium-sized saucepan over a medium heat. Add the onion and cook until it has softened – 4-5 minutes. Add the garlic, and cook until it’s fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, chipotle pepper, apple cider vinegar, and bourbon, and mix to combine. Bring to a simmer, and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the ingredients are dissolved. Add the reserved brisket juices and simmer until it has reached your desired consistency, around 15 minutes.

10. Remove the brisket from the oven and open the pouch. Turn the oven to broil. Brush the brisket with a healthy layer of sauce and broil, uncovered, until the top is lightly browned and the fat has started to crisp. Allow the brisket to cool a bit before slicing. Slice against the grain into ¼-inch slices, and serve with extra BBQ sauce.

Source: tiphero