Bargain Brisket Pot Roast
Tender, fall-apart brisket slow-cooked in a rich beef broth, inspired by a bargain cut of meat found at a liquidation auction. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 180 minutes pairs beef brisket, olive oil, large, chopped onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs beef brisket
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, chopped onion
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 medium, sliced carrots
- 2, sliced celery stalks
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add brisket and sear on all sides until browned, about 5 minutes total.
- Step 2: Remove brisket and set aside. Add chopped onion and garlic to the pot, sautéing for 3 minutes until fragrant. Stir in sliced carrots and celery, cooking for 5 minutes until softened. Add beef broth, red wine, tomato paste, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Step 3: Return brisket to the pot, cover, and transfer to oven. Braise for 2.5-3 hours until meat is tender and shreds easily. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Bargain Brisket Pot Roast take to make?
Total time is about 180 minutes (30 min prep + 150 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Bargain Brisket Pot Roast?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep beef brisket from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Bargain Brisket Pot Roast?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Bargain Brisket Pot Roast for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Bargain Brisket Pot Roast?
American slow cooker like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★☆☆☆☆
Didn't come together the way I expected. Flavors were flat.