Skip to main content

Ultimate Cheater Brisket

Our friend Adele Franzblau doesn’t see herself as a cook, but she cooks for her family every night and even has her own family cheater brisket recipe. She got it years ago for her son’s bar mitzvah, when Adele’s mother-in-law, Nancy, in Pampa, Texas, suggested Aunt Pat’s Smoky Brisket. Adele says she doesn’t even measure. She sets the brisket on a big piece of foil and seasons it liberally with garlic salt, a half bottle of smoke, and about the same amount of Worcestershire sauce. The wrapped brisket marinates in the refrigerator overnight. The next morning, the brisket goes into a 250°F oven to cook unattended all day. When she gets home, the house smells wonderful, dinner’s ready, and she’s a hero. Ultimate Cheater Brisket is similar, but with the added sweetness of a little onion and ketchup.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes 8 to 10 servings

Ingredients

1 medium onion, chopped
One 4- to 6-pound beef brisket
1/4 cup Cheater Basic Dry Rub (page 45)
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup bottled smoke

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    SCATTER the onion in the center of a large sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Rub all sides of the brisket with the dry rub and place the brisket on top of the onion.

    Step 2

    COMBINE the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and bottled smoke in a small bowl and pour over the brisket.

    Step 3

    Tightly Wrap the brisket in the foil and place in a roasting pan. Refrigerate for a few hours or overnight. When you’re ready to cook, heat the oven to 250°F.

    Step 4

    SLOW-ROAST the brisket for 6 to 8 hours. The meat should be fork-tender with an internal temperature of at least 190°F.

Cheater BBQ
Read More
Grab your Easter basket and hop in—you’ll want to collect each and every one of these fun and easy Easter recipes.
A warmly spiced Ashkenazi charoset, perfect for your Passover seder—or spooned over yogurt the next morning.
Like airy lemon chiffon cake and a Cadbury egg–inspired tart.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Like lemony risotto and tandoori-style cauliflower.
Think a Hugo spritz, a gin basil smash, and plenty more patio-ready pours.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.