4 Ways to cook Brisket Low and Slow

These methods are low heat and slow cooking, so plan ahead. Plus, how to smoke one—without a smoker. Thankfully most of the cooking required is "hands-off" simmer time. Choose a method for how to cook brisket and follow our instructions for boldly flavored, irresistibly tender meat every time. While the beef is slowly simmering, you can cook up an easy vegetable side dish to serve with the juicy beef brisket.

How to Cook Brisket in the Oven

Cooking brisket in the oven in a well-seasoned cooking liquid yields a delightfully tender and irresistibly flavored meal. Because the brisket is cooked this way, you'll technically be braising the meat. This method requires no special equipment; just a baking pan will do.

1. Prep the Brisket

Pat the brisket dry with paper towels and lightly season with salt and pepper. Brown the brisket in oil only if specified in your recipe.

2. Prep the Cooking Liquid

Cooking brisket in the oven requires braising it in liquid in a covered baking pan or Dutch oven. You can flavor the brisket liquid in many ways. For example, try a simple barbecue flavor in this Oven-Barbecue Beef Brisket. If you want to learn how to cook brisket with wine and herbs, try this Wine-Braised Brisket with Onions. Whatever liquids you choose, you'll need about three cups of liquid for a 3- to 4-pound brisket for oven-cooking.

3. Bake the Brisket

Place the seasoned brisket in your pan or Dutch oven and pour the cooking liquid over the meat. Cover and bake as directed.

How long to bake brisket: Allow 3 to 4 hours for a 3- to 4-pound brisket. Let meat stand for 15 minutes before slicing across the grain to serve.

Proper Temperature to Cook Brisket in the Oven

Our recipes generally call for cooking beef brisket at 325°F to ensure low and slow cooking. Make sure to utilize a meat thermometer for it. Use this guideline unless otherwise specified in your recipe.

How to Cook Brisket on the Stovetop

Cooking brisket on the stovetop follows pretty much the same overall plan as how to cook brisket in the oven: Pat dry and season the meat, mix a cooking liquid (about 3 cups for a 3- to 4-pound brisket), pour it over the meat, and cook, covered, low and slow. The only difference is that you simmer the meat over low heat on the stovetop rather than cooking the meat in the oven.

You'll need a heavy pan or skillet with a tight-fitting lid when cooking brisket on a stovetop. A braising pan is an excellent option for this method.

How to Cook Brisket in a Slow Cooker

Cooking brisket in the slow cooker is like cooking brisket in an oven or stovetop. You simply let the brisket simmer slowly and gently in a cooking liquid for tender, juicy slices of meat. In many slow-cooker preparations, the vegetables can cook alongside the meat. The cooking liquid becomes a sauce to serve with the brisket.

1. Prep the Brisket for the Slow Cooker

Trim fat from the brisket—season with salt and pepper. Depending on the shape of your meat and your slow cooker, you may need to cut the brisket to fit.

2. Prep the Cooking Liquid and Vegetables

Like in the oven and stovetop methods, create your cooking liquid, which can be as simple as water and Worcestershire, as in this slow-cooked beef brisket recipe. If your recipe calls for vegetables, prep as directed.

3. Slow Cook the Brisket

Place the prepared brisket on top of the vegetables (if using) in the slow cooker. Pour the sauce over the brisket. Cover and cook as directed. How long to cook brisket in a slow cooker will be in your specific recipe, but generally, cook a 3- to 3½-pound brisket on low heat for 10 to 12 hours or on high heat for 5 to 6 hours. To serve, thinly slice the brisket across the grain.

How to Cook Brisket on a Grill

With all the boasting and bragging among serious barbecue enthusiasts, you'd think that knowing how to cook brisket on a grill would be impossibly complicated. In truth, while smoked brisket requires more hands-on attention than braising it in the oven or slow cooker, you don't have to be a certified pit master to do it.

1. Prep Wood Chips

Place 1 to 2 cups of wood chips and enough water to cover them in a container; let soak for at least 1 hour before grilling. Drain before using.

2. Prep the Brisket and the Grill and Cook

Sprinkle a dry rub evenly over the brisket; rub it in with your fingers.

For a charcoal grill:

1. Arrange medium-hot coals around a drip pan. Fill the pan with 1 inch of hot water. Add wood chunks to coals. Test for medium-low heat above the drip pan.
2. Place brisket, fat-side down, on grill rack over pan
3. Cover and smoke according to your recipe, or 4 to 5 hours until the brisket reaches 185°F to 190°F and is tender
4. Turn once halfway through smoking
5. Add additional coals and water as needed to maintain temperature and moisture

For a gas grill:

1. Preheat grill
2. Reduce heat to medium
3. Adjust for indirect cooking
4. Add wood chunks according to manufacturer directions
5. Place brisket on a rack in a roasting pan; place pan on a grill rack over a burner that is turned off
6. Add 1 inch of water to a drip pan; set pan on grill rack directly over heat
7. Cover and smoke as directed

3. Let Brisket Stand and Serve

Remove brisket from the grill. Cover with foil and let stand for 15 minutes. To serve, thinly slice brisket across the grain and pass your favorite sauce.

**Courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens