Boyfriend Brisket Recipe

Recipe From Paleohacks

Roast beef is one of the most popular dishes in the United States. Its simplicity in preparation and cooking makes it a permanent fixture in family meals. Usual beef cuts include prime rib and tenderloin,1 but what if you want to challenge your cooking skill by using a different beef cut, such as brisket? It’s one of the least tender cuts, but can be delicious when prepared correctly. In Italian cuisine, bollito misto uses this cut. Vietnamese cuisine, on the other hand, uses brisket for pho.2

This recipe from Paleohacks is perfect for introducing you to the world of brisket. It’s great for gatherings, such as birthdays, parties or holiday dinners. The scrumptiousness of the beef will leave everyone’s belly happy, knowing that they tasted something amazing from something they didn’t expect.

Boyfriend Brisket Ingredients

Boyfriend Beef Brisket Recipe

Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 4 hours and 10 minutes Serving Size: 8

Ingredients

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 cup beef stock
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary

Procedure

  1. Boyfriend Brisket Step1
    Allow the beef to set out at room temperature for 30 minutes. Place the brisket (fat side up) on a cutting board and score 1-inch lines across and along the fat in a grid-like pattern.
  2. Boyfriend Brisket Step2
    Heat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and place the sliced onions in the bottom of a large oven-safe roasting pan.
  3. Boyfriend Brisket Step3
    Pour the beef stock on top. Combine the dried seasonings and sprinkle them evenly over the fatty side of the beef. Use your fingers to press the seasoning onto the beef. Place the beef on top of the onions and add the rosemary sprigs to the pan.
  4. Boyfriend Brisket Step5
    Cover and roast in the oven for four hours, flipping halfway through. Flip the roast once more with the fatty side facing up. Remove the rosemary and turn the oven to broil. Broil uncovered until the top of the beef is browned, about five to seven minutes.
  5. Boyfriend Brisket Step4
    Remove the beef from the oven and rest covered at room temperature for 15 minutes. Slice into thin slices against the grain of the meat. Serve warm alongside onions. Add several spoonsful of drippings from the pan on top and enjoy!

Expand Your Horizons With Grass Fed Beef Brisket

Brisket is a cut of beef that comes from the breast part under the first five ribs. Usually sold boneless and in large chunks, it is broken down further into two categories, depending on your needs:3

  • Point cut — Less expensive, but has more fat and is actually more flavorful.4
  • Flat cut — Minimal fat and more meat, but generally more expensive.5

When purchasing brisket, make sure it comes from grass fed cows. This type of meat is superior to grain fed cows because it is higher in nutrients such as conjugated linoleic acid, and minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium. It also has a better ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids. The risk of getting foodborne disease is lower, too, because grass fed cows are raised in clean living environments.

After the beef is done cooking, it is important to let it rest at room temperature. Leaving it alone locks in the juices better, resulting in a moist, better-tasting meal.

Onions Boost the Taste of the Beef While Adding Nutrients

Onions and roast meat have gone well together since time immemorial. For this particular recipe, white onion is used because it has a sharper taste that pairs well with the beef. It’s also more tender when eaten.6 Onion is also healthy for you, with research showing that it may help improve immune function,7 lower the risk of cancer,8 fight bacteria and boost the cardiovascular system.9

Onion contains inulin, a type of fiber classified as a prebiotic, which is a substance that provides nourishment for your gut microbiome. Inulin mixes with water, and then ferments in your digestive system so your probiotics can consume it.10 In a supporting study published in 2013, inulin positively changed the gut flora in obese women. This resulted in modest changes in their metabolism, which may help them reach their weight loss goals.11

Herbs and Spices Deepen Flavor and Aroma

Herbs and spices play an important role in adding flavor and aroma to roasted meats. Without them, you would be just eating plain, unseasoned meat, which would be very unappetizing. With the right combination of seasonings, any dish becomes very delicious and exciting to eat. This recipe contains the right blend to whet your appetite:

  • Cumin — A powder made by grinding cumin seeds, this namesake ingredient is known for its earthy and warm flavor that adds considerable texture to spiced blends and dishes, such as chili, barbecue sauce, curry powder and garam masala.12
  • Paprika — This red spice comes in different flavors, such as sweet, spicy and warm (or a combination of any of the mentioned). Whichever paprika variant you pick will affect the outcome of your brisket, so choose wisely.13
  • Oregano — Culinary varieties of oregano are known for their aroma and pungent taste.14 These qualities make oregano popular in grilled meat dishes, making it an obvious addition for this recipe.15
  • Rosemary — An evergreen shrub known for its piney scent and intense camphor,16 rosemary goes well with oregano.

Aside from improving the overall flavor of the meat, seasonings may benefit your health as well. Cumin, for example, may help you lose weight better. In one study that involved overweight and obese women, cumin helped reduce serum levels of cholesterol and triglyceride. Weight, body mass index and waist circumference decreased as well.17 Oregano, on the other hand, has antioxidant, antibacterial and cytotoxic properties.18 Rosemary has antioxidant activities as well, according to a 2014 study.19

Try Something New With This Brisket Recipe

If you haven’t tried cooking beef brisket, this recipe will get you started on the right path. The unfamiliarity can open up new flavors you haven’t experienced before. Just make sure that you use grass fed beef to maximize the flavor and nutrients you’re getting in this dish. The same goes for the other ingredients — they must come from high-quality organic producers.

About the Blog

Paleohacks is one of the largest Paleo communities on the web. They offer everything Paleo, from a Q&A forum where users get their top health questions answered, to a community blog featuring daily recipes, workouts and wellness content. You can also tune in to their podcast, where they bring in the top experts in the Paleo world to share the latest, cutting-edge health information.

+ Sources and References