Experience the magic of a recipe once featured in Martha Stewart’s magazine – this tender, flavorful Coffee Glazed Brisket is poised to become your family’s new favorite way to enjoy brisket! Prepare for an unforgettable culinary journey.
This remarkable Oven Brisket Recipe offers a profound sense of comfort and is absolutely perfect for those crisp, chilly evenings when you crave a hearty, soul-warming meal. Its incredible versatility means it can also be effortlessly prepared in your slow cooker, making it an ideal choice for busy weekdays or relaxed weekend gatherings.
Why You Must Make This Coffee Glazed Brisket
Embark on a culinary adventure with this Coffee Glazed Brisket, a recipe that promises not just a meal, but an experience. Here’s why it deserves a prime spot in your cooking repertoire:
- Unforgettable Flavor and Family Favorite: This particular recipe holds a special place, as it was the very first brisket I ever prepared, instantly captivating my family with its rich, deep flavors. The unique coffee glaze transforms this often-overlooked cut of beef into something truly extraordinary, making it a guaranteed hit at any dinner table.
- Effortless Slow Cooking Versatility: Whether you prefer the steady warmth of an oven or the convenience of a slow cooker, this brisket recipe adapts beautifully. The beauty of slow cooking is that most of the preparation is hands-off. After an initial sear, the oven or slow cooker takes over, doing the heavy lifting while you attend to other tasks, making it surprisingly simple for such an impressive dish.
- Aromatic Bliss That Fills Your Home: As this brisket slowly braises, it releases an incredibly tantalizing aroma that will gently waft through your entire house. The fragrant blend of savory beef, aromatic coffee, and sweet-tangy glaze creates an inviting atmosphere, signaling that a truly magnificent meal is on its way and building anticipation long before dinner is served.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: While elegant enough for a special holiday meal or a dinner party, its straightforward preparation makes it equally suitable for a comforting Sunday supper or a hearty weeknight dinner. It’s a dish that impresses without demanding hours of active kitchen time.
- Tender Perfection Every Time: The long, slow cooking process is key to breaking down the tough fibers of the brisket, resulting in incredibly tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef. Each slice is succulent and infused with the rich, complex flavors of the glaze, promising a consistently perfect texture.
Brisket, a cut of meat I hadn’t frequently enjoyed growing up, became a revelation after my friend Joanne’s Coffee Glazed Brisket recipe was featured in Martha Stewart’s Everyday Foods magazine. The moment I saw it, I knew I had to try it. Its sheer simplicity and incredibly delicious outcome have meant I’ve never felt the need to explore another brisket recipe since. This recipe truly sets the standard for how brisket should taste.
Traditionally, I’ve always prepared this best beef brisket recipe in a sturdy Dutch oven, letting it slow-cook to perfection in the oven. However, recognizing the demands of modern life, I decided to adapt it for a slow cooker or Crock-Pot. This adaptation has been a game-changer for those particularly busy days. Now, I can simply pop the brisket into the slow cooker in the morning, and by dinner time, I’m greeted not only with a stress-free meal but also with that absolutely amazing aroma wafting through the house. When served alongside creamy mashed potatoes, it transforms into a complete, hubby-approved entrée. I distinctly recall hearing “incredible” uttered at least once on the night I first served my enhanced, best brisket recipe.
Essential Ingredient Notes for Coffee Glazed Brisket
Crafting the perfect Coffee Glazed Brisket begins with understanding the role each ingredient plays in creating its signature flavor and texture. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need:
- Kitchen Staples:
- Kosher Salt: Essential for seasoning the brisket generously, drawing out moisture, and enhancing its natural flavors.
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Provides a pungent, aromatic warmth that complements the richness of the beef.
- Garlic: Minced garlic forms the aromatic foundation of the glaze, adding a savory depth that is indispensable.
- Canola Oil: Used for searing the brisket, it has a high smoke point, allowing for a beautiful brown crust without burning.
- Beef Brisket: Aim for a thin first cut, also known as the flat cut, weighing approximately 3 pounds. The flat cut is leaner and easier to slice uniformly, though a point cut offers more marbling and rich flavor if you prefer. Regardless of the cut, look for good marbling which indicates tenderness and flavor.
- Freshly Brewed Coffee: This is the secret star of the glaze! The coffee doesn’t make the brisket taste like a morning brew; instead, its acidity helps tenderize the meat, and its robust flavor adds incredible depth, a subtle bitterness that balances the sweetness of other glaze components, and a beautiful dark hue. If you’re not a regular coffee drinker, instant coffee brewed to strength works perfectly.
- Ketchup: I highly recommend using a quality brand like Heinz. Ketchup provides a tangy, slightly sweet, and tomato-rich base to the glaze, contributing to its luscious texture and balancing the overall flavor profile.
- Chili Sauce: Also from Heinz, if possible, chili sauce (not to be confused with hot chili oil or Sriracha) is a milder, sweeter, and tangier tomato-based sauce with a hint of spice. It adds another layer of complexity and a beautiful, vibrant color to the glaze.
- Honey: This natural sweetener contributes a delicate floral note and a beautiful gloss to the glaze. It balances the savory and acidic components, helping to create that irresistible sweet-savory profile.
- Worcestershire Sauce: A powerhouse of umami! This fermented condiment brings a savory, tangy, and slightly sweet depth that significantly boosts the overall richness of the brisket and glaze. It’s crucial for that hard-to-pin-down “beefy” flavor.
- Soy Sauce: Another excellent source of umami, soy sauce enhances the savory notes, adds a touch of salinity, and contributes to the glaze’s deep color. Use a good quality, regular soy sauce for the best results.
How to Make Tender Coffee Glazed Brisket
Creating this delicious Coffee Glazed Brisket is a straightforward process, whether you opt for the Dutch oven or slow cooker method. Follow these steps for a tender, flavorful meal:
- Prepare for Searing: Begin by heating the canola oil in a sturdy Dutch oven over medium-high heat. While the oil heats, generously season your beef brisket on all sides with Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Don’t be shy with the seasoning; it forms the foundation of the brisket’s flavor.
- Sear the Brisket: Carefully place the seasoned brisket into the hot Dutch oven, fat side down first if applicable. Allow it to sear undisturbed for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until a beautiful, deep golden-brown crust forms. Searing is a crucial step that locks in juices and develops rich, caramelized flavors on the surface of the meat.
- Ensure Even Browning: Flip the brisket and continue searing, making sure both sides are nicely browned. This deep color translates directly into a more intense flavor profile for your finished dish.
- Prepare and Add the Glaze: In a separate bowl, whisk together the freshly brewed coffee, ketchup, chili sauce, honey, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, and soy sauce until well combined. Once the brisket is seared, pour this luscious glaze mixture over the meat in the Dutch oven. The aromas will already begin to build at this stage!
- Slow Cook to Perfection (Dutch Oven Method): Cover the Dutch oven tightly with its lid. If using an oven, preheat it to 325°F (160°C). Transfer the covered Dutch oven to the preheated oven and cook until the brisket is incredibly tender, which typically takes about 2 ½ to 3 hours. For even cooking and flavor distribution, remember to flip the brisket halfway through the cooking time. The brisket is done when it shreds easily with a fork.
- Rest, Slice, and Serve: Once tender, remove the Dutch oven from the heat and allow the brisket to cool slightly for about 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a cutting board. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring a more succulent result. Slice the brisket against the grain into desired thickness. Place the sliced brisket back into the Dutch oven with the pan juices to absorb even more of that delicious coffee glaze. Serve warm with the accumulated sauce.
Beef Brisket in a Slow Cooker: For Ultimate Convenience
Life can be incredibly hectic, and we all have those super busy days when the thought of preparing a complicated dinner is simply overwhelming. This super simple slow cooker brisket offers a marvelous solution for even the most packed schedules. It’s the epitome of “set it and forget it” cooking, delivering impressive results with minimal effort.
The process couldn’t be easier: simply sear both sides of your beef brisket in a skillet (or directly in your slow cooker if it has a searing function). While the brisket sears, quickly mix up the delightful coffee glaze ingredients. Then, transfer the seared brisket to your slow cooker, pour the aromatic sauce over it, and set it to low. That’s it! Allow it to cook for approximately 8 hours, with just one simple flip of the brisket halfway through the cooking time to ensure even glaze distribution and tenderness. By dinner time, you’ll be rewarded with a tender, flavor-packed meal that smells absolutely divine, ready to be carved and enjoyed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Coffee Glazed Brisket
Brisket is a fascinating and flavorful cut of beef that comes from the breast or lower chest area of the cow, beneath the first five ribs. It’s a hardworking muscle, which means it contains a good amount of connective tissue and requires specific cooking methods to achieve tenderness. There are generally two main cuts: the flat cut (also known as the first cut or leaner cut), which is typically more expensive and has less fat, making it ideal for slicing; and the point cut (or second cut), which is fattier, more marbled, and incredibly flavorful, often used for shredded beef or pastrami. Both cuts require a long, slow cooking time to break down their tough fibers and become wonderfully tender.
Due to its inherent toughness as a working muscle, brisket absolutely thrives on long, slow cooking methods. These methods gently break down the collagen, transforming it into gelatin and resulting in that coveted melt-in-your-mouth texture. Common and effective ways to cook brisket include braising it in the oven (like this recipe), slow cooking it in a dedicated slow cooker or Crock-Pot, or smoking it with indirect heat on a grill or smoker. The key is low temperature and extended cooking duration.
When cooking brisket in an oven at a consistent temperature of 325°F (160°C), a 3-pound brisket will generally become fork-tender in approximately 2 ½ to 3 hours. The exact time can vary slightly depending on your oven’s calibration and the thickness of your specific brisket cut. Always check for tenderness by easily shredding a piece with a fork to confirm it’s done.
Absolutely! Brisket often tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld and deepen. Cook it completely, then let it cool before refrigerating. To reheat, slice it cold (which is easier) and gently warm the slices in the sauce on the stovetop over low heat or in the oven until heated through. This makes it an excellent option for entertaining.
Any regular brewed coffee will work wonderfully. You don’t need a fancy espresso blend; a standard drip coffee, or even instant coffee dissolved in hot water, is perfectly fine. The goal is to get that deep, robust coffee flavor, not necessarily a specific varietal. Decaffeinated coffee can also be used if preferred, with no noticeable difference in the final taste.
Perfect Serving Suggestions for Coffee Glazed Brisket
To complete your Coffee Glazed Brisket experience, pair it with complementary side dishes that enhance its rich flavors and tender texture. Here are some of our top recommendations:
- Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes: A luxurious, creamy side that is an absolute must. Their smooth texture and subtle tang provide a beautiful contrast to the savory brisket and rich sauce, soaking up every delicious drop.
- Angel Biscuits: Light, fluffy, and tender, these biscuits are perfect for soaking up the amazing brisket glaze, adding a delightful bready component to your meal.
- Oven Roasted Asparagus: A vibrant green vegetable with a slight snap. Roasting brings out its natural sweetness, offering a fresh, earthy counterpoint to the rich meat.
- Italian Sauteed Green Beans: Tender-crisp green beans with bursts of juicy grape tomatoes, offering a light and refreshing side that balances the meal.
- Honey Balsamic Roast Carrots: Sweet and savory roasted carrots that caramelize beautifully, adding a touch of sweetness and vibrant color.
- Simple Arugula Salad: A peppery, fresh salad with a light vinaigrette can cut through the richness of the brisket, providing a refreshing palate cleanser.
Other Delicious Beef Recipes You May Also Like
If you’re a fan of comforting and flavorful beef dishes, these recipes are sure to inspire your next meal. Explore a range of options from hearty tacos to rich braises:
- Beef Brisket Tacos | Slow Cooker: Transform leftover brisket or a fresh cut into incredibly flavorful tacos, perfect for a casual and fun meal.
- Braised Cola Brisket: A surprisingly delicious twist, using cola to tenderize and sweeten the brisket, creating a unique and deeply satisfying flavor profile.
- Oven Braised Texas Brisket: For a taste of classic Texas barbecue without the smoker, this oven-braised version delivers tender, smoky-flavored beef.
- Rosemary Garlic Brisket: Aromatic rosemary and pungent garlic infuse the brisket with Mediterranean-inspired flavors, creating an elegant and savory dish.
- Easy Pot Roast Recipe: A classic comfort food that’s simple to prepare and yields incredibly tender meat and vegetables, perfect for a family dinner.
- Italian Pesto Burger: A gourmet burger experience featuring savory beef patties infused with the vibrant flavors of Italian pesto.
- Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs: Achieve fall-off-the-bone tender short ribs in a fraction of the time with this convenient Instant Pot recipe.
- More Beef Recipes: Discover a wide array of other beef-centric dishes for every occasion and craving.
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Slow Cooked Coffee Glazed Brisket Recipe
10 minutes
8 hours
8 hours 10 minutes
6 servings
A slow cooked beef brisket that’s pure comfort! This delightful recipe is adapted from my friend Joanne, originally published in EDF Magazine.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds beef brisket (thin first cut if possible)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- ½ cup freshly brewed coffee
- ½ cup ketchup
- ½ cup chili sauce
- ½ cup honey
- ⅓ cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1-2 tablespoons soy sauce
Instructions
- Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season brisket generously with salt and pepper. Add the brisket, fat side down, and cook until well browned, about 4-5 minutes per side.
- Preheat your oven to 325ºF (160ºC) for the Dutch oven method.
- In a separate bowl, combine the remaining ingredients for the glaze. Place the seared brisket back in the Dutch oven (or transfer to a slow cooker), and pour the prepared sauce over the brisket.
- If using the oven, cover the Dutch oven and bake in the 325ºF oven for 2½-3 hours, flipping the brisket halfway through cooking time for even tenderness and flavor absorption.
- Check the beef for doneness: it should be incredibly tender and shred easily with a fork.
- Remove the brisket to a cutting board and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing against the grain.
- Place the sliced brisket back in the Dutch oven with the pan juices to allow the slices to absorb some of the rich sauce. Serve warm with the sauce.
- Alternatively, you may cook the brisket in a slow cooker on low for 8 hours, flipping it at the halfway mark to ensure all sides are bathed in the delicious glaze.
Notes
This versatile recipe can be cooked either in a Dutch oven in the oven or in a slow cooker, depending on your preference and schedule.
Recommended Products
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- OXO Cutting Board
- OXO Fat Separator
- Large Le Creuset Dutch Oven (8 quarts)
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 837Total Fat: 46gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 24gCholesterol: 240mgSodium: 940mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 1gSugar: 32gProtein: 66g