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
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
Apple pie in doughnut hole form? We’re in love.
Like crispy gnocchi caprese and raspberry—brown butter skillet cake.
The secret to flavorful, never-greasy eggplant parm? Brine the eggplant first.
Our go-to banana bread recipe is moist, nutty, and incredibly easy to make.
Like hot honey chicken with peaches and a dirty martini spritz.
Just as great with coffee for breakfast as it is with amaro for dessert.