Hey there, friend! Is there anything that says “celebration” quite like the incredible aroma of a slow-cooked beef brisket filling your home? I’m talking about that magical moment when your guests walk in, their eyes light up, and they immediately ask, “What smells so amazing?” This Cranberry Holiday Beef Brisket is my absolute go-to for creating that exact feeling. It’s the star of our holiday table, a show-stopping centerpiece that’s surprisingly hands-off to prepare. It combines the rich, savory depth of beef with the sweet-tart zing of cranberries, creating a flavor combination that will have everyone coming back for seconds. It’s the perfect dish for creating warm memories without spending your whole day in the kitchen.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Holiday Beef Brisket
- Effortless Elegance: A few minutes of prep leads to a meal that looks and tastes like you spent all day cooking.
- Crowd-Pleasing Flavors: The sweet and savory sauce is a universal winner, even for the picky eaters in your family.
- Make-Ahead Magic: It tastes even better the next day, making it a stress-free choice for hosting.
- Cozy Comfort: It’s the ultimate comforting, hearty meal that feels like a warm holiday hug on a plate.
Gathering Your Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create this masterpiece. Don’t be intimidated by the list—it’s mostly pantry staples that come together to create something truly special.
Print
Cranberry Holiday Beef Brisket
- Total Time: 3 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
Cranberry Holiday Beef Brisket recipe for holidays Master easy slow cooking tech for this tender festive main dish magic Perfect celebration meal
Ingredients
- 1 (4 to 5-pound) beef brisket, flat cut, trimmed of excess fat
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 (14-ounce) can jellied cranberry sauce
- 1/2 cup chili sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh thyme sprigs, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Pat the brisket dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.
- In a large Dutch oven or oven-safe pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the brisket for about 5-7 minutes per side, until a beautiful brown crust forms. Remove it and set it aside on a plate.
- In the same pot, add the sliced onions. Cook for about 5 minutes until they begin to soften. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the beef broth, jellied cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and dry mustard until well combined.
- Place the seared brisket back into the pot on top of the onions. Pour the cranberry sauce mixture over the top.
- Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and transfer it to the preheated oven. Let it braise for about 3 to 3 ½ hours, or until the brisket is fork-tender.
- Carefully remove the pot from the oven. Transfer the brisket to a cutting board and let it rest for 10-15 minutes. Meanwhile, you can skim any excess fat from the surface of the sauce. Slice the brisket against the grain, serve it with the rich cranberry pan sauce spooned over the top, and garnish with fresh thyme.
Notes
An effortless and elegant slow-cooked beef brisket with a sweet and savory cranberry sauce. Perfect for holiday gatherings and creating warm memories.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 servings
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Fat: 22 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 45 g
- 1 (4 to 5-pound) beef brisket, flat cut, trimmed of excess fat
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 (14-ounce) can jellied cranberry sauce
- 1/2 cup chili sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh thyme sprigs, for garnish (optional)
How to Make Your Holiday Brisket
Follow these simple steps for a flawless brisket every single time. I promise, it’s easier than you think!
- Preheat and Sear: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Pat the brisket dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper. In a large Dutch oven or oven-safe pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the brisket for about 5-7 minutes per side, until a beautiful brown crust forms. Remove it and set it aside on a plate.
- Sauté the Aromatics: In the same pot, add the sliced onions. Cook for about 5 minutes until they begin to soften. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Create the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the beef broth, jellied cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and dry mustard until well combined.
- Braise to Perfection: Place the seared brisket back into the pot on top of the onions. Pour the cranberry sauce mixture over the top. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and transfer it to the preheated oven.
- Cook Low and Slow: Let it braise for about 3 to 3 ½ hours, or until the brisket is fork-tender. You’ll know it’s done when you can easily pull it apart with a fork.
- Rest and Serve: Carefully remove the pot from the oven. Transfer the brisket to a cutting board and let it rest for 10-15 minutes. Meanwhile, you can skim any excess fat from the surface of the sauce. Slice the brisket against the grain, serve it with the rich cranberry pan sauce spooned over the top, and garnish with fresh thyme if you’re feeling fancy.
My Best Tips for Brisket Success
I’ve made this cranberry brisket more times than I can count, and here’s what I’ve learned along the way. Don’t skip the sear! It’s the first step to building deep, rich flavor. If your sauce seems a little thin after cooking, simply pour it into a saucepan and simmer it on the stovetop for 10-15 minutes to reduce and thicken it up. And the best tip of all? Make it a day ahead! The flavors meld together overnight in the fridge, making it even more delicious and giving you one less thing to do on the day of your holiday feast.
What to Serve With Your Brisket
This hearty brisket pairs beautifully with so many classic sides. For a truly memorable holiday plate, I love to serve it with a scoop of Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes to soak up all that incredible sauce. A bright, crisp Holiday Salad helps balance the richness, and some simple roasted green beans or glazed carrots round everything out perfectly.
Answers to Your Brisket Questions
Can I make this brisket ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, I highly recommend it. Cook the brisket completely, let it cool, and store it (with the sauce) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to serve, gently reheat it in a covered dish in a 300°F oven until warmed through.
What’s the best way to slice brisket?
Always slice against the grain! Look for the lines of muscle fibers running along the brisket and cut perpendicular to them. This cuts the fibers short, making each piece incredibly tender and easy to eat.
I can’t find jellied cranberry sauce. Can I use whole-berry sauce?
You sure can. Whole-berry sauce will work just fine, though your final sauce will have a chunkier texture with bits of berry throughout, which is also delicious!
How should I store leftovers?
Leftovers? Lucky you! Store any leftover cranberry brisket in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavor just keeps getting better. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
More Holiday Favorites to Try
If you loved this cozy brisket, you’ll definitely want to explore more of my holiday-ready recipes. For another stunning main dish, my Herb-Crusted Tenderloin is always a hit. And no festive meal is complete without dessert—my Peppermint Bark Cheesecake is the perfect make-ahead sweet ending.
This Cranberry Holiday Beef Brisket is more than just a recipe; it’s a tradition in the making. It’s the dish that lets you spend less time stressing and more time savoring the moment with the people you love. I hope it brings as much joy to your table as it has to mine. Happy cooking, and happy holidays.