Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Tender caramelized pulled beef brisket with onions and herbs on a serving plate, ready to enjoy.

Caramelized Pulled Beef Brisket


  • Author: Mounia
  • Total Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Description

This caramelized pulled beef brisket is slow-cooked to perfection with sweet onions, brown sugar, and savory spices. It’s melt-in-your-mouth tender, full of flavor, and perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or hearty sandwiches.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 45 lbs well-marbled beef brisket

  • 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced

  • 6 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce

  • 1 cup beef broth

  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika

  • 1 tbsp ground cumin

  • 1 tbsp black pepper

  • 1 tsp salt (or to taste)

  • 1 tbsp oil (for sautéing onions)


Instructions

  1. Prepare Brisket: Trim excess fat from the brisket, leaving about 1/4 inch. Mix paprika, cumin, black pepper, and salt, then rub evenly over the brisket.

  2. Caramelize Onions: Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook onions slowly for 15–20 minutes until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Add minced garlic and sauté 2–3 more minutes.

  3. Assemble Cooker: Place onions and garlic in the bottom of a slow cooker or Dutch oven. Place brisket on top. In a bowl, whisk brown sugar, soy sauce, beef broth, and apple cider vinegar. Pour over brisket.

  4. Cook:

    • Slow Cooker: Cover and cook on LOW for 8–10 hours.

    • Dutch Oven: Preheat oven to 300°F, cover, and cook 3–4 hours.

  5. Shred and Rest: Remove brisket, let rest 20 minutes, then shred with two forks. Mix shredded beef with some cooking liquid.

  6. Optional Final Caramelization: Return shredded beef to a skillet with cooking liquid and cook 5–10 minutes on medium-high for crispy caramelized edges.

Notes

Caramelizing the onions slowly is key to achieving deep, sweet flavor.
Brisket tastes even better the next day! Store with cooking liquid to keep it juicy.
Chuck roast can be substituted for brisket if needed.

  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8–10 hours (slow cooker) or 3–4 hours (Dutch oven)
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Slow Cooker / Braised
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: ~6 oz
  • Calories: 420 kcal
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 640 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 14 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 44 g
  • Cholesterol: 120 mg