Inspired by the flavors of birria, this large-format brisket is braised with guajillo, pasilla and ancho chiles and fragrant spices such as cumin, oregano, clove and cinnamon. The resulting tender meat has a deep, rich chile flavor with a hint of heat and sweetness from brown sugar and slow-cooked onions. It’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser for any Jewish holiday meal served with mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes or rice to soak up all the delicious sauce. As a bonus, leftover meat can be shredded and added back to the sauce for birria-inspired tacos the next day.
NEW: You can now switch to Cook Mode to keep your screen awake.
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Bring 4 cups water to a boil. Toast the guajillo, ancho and pasilla chiles in the skillet, in batches if needed, until just softened, 1 to 2 minutes per batch. Place in a large heatproof bowl and pour over the boiling water. Soak until softened, about 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, add the garlic and quartered onion to the skillet and char on all sides, about 5 minutes. Peel the garlic cloves. Transfer the onion pieces and garlic to a blender. Drain the chiles and add them to the blender, then add the vinegar, brown sugar, cumin, oregano, cinnamon, cloves, 2 cups of the beef broth and 2 teaspoons salt. Blend on high (preferably in a high-speed blender) until smooth and thick. Set aside.
Season the brisket with 1 teaspoon salt and several grinds of pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large oval Dutch oven over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the brisket and brown well on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove to a baking sheet. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Stir the chile paste into the onions. Cook until the paste reduces slightly and darkens a shade or two, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, bay leaves and remaining 2 cups beef broth. Bring to a simmer and add the brisket (it should be almost covered by sauce; if not, add a little water). Cover, transfer to the oven and cook until the brisket is almost tender, about 2 hours. Uncover and continue to cook until the brisket is tender but not falling apart and the sauce is thick and flavorful, 35 to 45 minutes more.
Remove the brisket to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes. Season the sauce with salt, if needed. Thinly slice the brisket against the grain and return to the sauce for serving.
Tools You May Need
Copyright 2024 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved.
Tools You May Need
Price and stock may change after publish date, and we may make money off
these links.
Subscribe to our Recipe of the Day newsletter to get Food Network's best ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert delivered to your inbox daily.
By entering your email address, you agree to our Terms of Use
and acknowledge the Privacy Policy.
Food Network and
its affiliates
may use your email address to provide updates, ads, and offers.
To withdraw your consent or learn more about your rights, see the
Privacy Policy.