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Bourbon and Coffee Braised Brisket with Cranberry Sauce

Amy Kritzer
Brisket rubbed with coffee and fennel and braised in bourbon!! What could possibly go wrong?
4.66 from 23 votes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Course Meat
Cuisine Jewish
Servings 6 -8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • Rub:
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons ground fennel
  • 1 tablespoon ground instant espresso
  • Brisket:
  • 1 4-5 pound brisket trimmed to leave 1/4 - 1/2 inch fat
  • 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil
  • 2 celery stalks large diced
  • 2 large carrots large diced
  • 3/4 cup onion large diced
  • 4 garlic cloves smashed
  • 1 6- ounce can tomato paste
  • 2 cups coffee decaf is fine
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 1.25 cup bourbon
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • Sauce:
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries
  • 2 teaspoons bourbon
  • Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • To make the rub, mix all ingredients together in a small bowl.
  • Rub the mixture all over the brisket and cover and let chill in the refrigerator for 2-24 hours.
  • When ready to cook, let the meat stand at room temperature for 30-60 minutes.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil in a large, heavy bottomed pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Add brisket, fat side down. Cook without moving for 5-7 minutes until browned and fat is rendered. Then turn the brisket over and cook the other side until browned, about 3 more minutes.
  • Remove and place the brisket on a plate. Then add the celery, carrots, onion and garlic. Saute until golden, about 5 minutes, making sure to scrape up all the pieces stuck to the bottom.
  • Add the tomato paste cook until browned. Then add the brisket back in. Pour in coffee, chicken stock, bourbon, light brown sugar and apple cider vinegar. Bring to a boil, then cover and lower to a simmer over medium low heat.
  • Braise until brisket is very tender to the touch but not falling apart, about 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours.
  • When ready, transfer the brisket to a large plate, fat side up.
  • Strain braising liquid into a large bowl to remove large chunks. Return the liquid to pot, bring to a simmer, add cranberries and bourbon and cook until cranberries have popped and sauce is thick, about 20 minutes. Adjust with salt and pepper to taste.
  • From this point, you can refrigerate the cooled brisket in the cooled sauce until ready to serve, or let brisket rest for 20 minutes, slice against the grain and serve with sauce!
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