Slow-Cooked Beef Brisket with Bush Tomato and Anise Myrtle Sauce
Tender slow-cooked Australian beef brisket braised in a rich and aromatic sauce featuring bush tomato and anise myrtle for a unique native flavor. This australian-inspired beef ready in about 230 minutes blends beef brisket, olive oil, large, diced onion into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. 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 lb beef brisket
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 2 medium, chopped carrots
- 2, chopped celery stalks
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp bush tomato paste
- 1 tsp anise myrtle leaves, crushed
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup red wine
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 3 fresh thyme sprigs
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large ovenproof Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season 3 lb beef brisket with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper, then sear on all sides until deeply browned, about 4 minutes per side.
- Step 2: Remove brisket and set aside. Add 1 large diced onion, 2 chopped carrots, 2 chopped celery stalks, and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 6-7 minutes until vegetables are soft and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp bush tomato paste and 1 tsp crushed anise myrtle leaves, cooking for 1-2 minutes until aromatic.
- Step 4: Pour in 2 cups beef broth and 1 cup red wine, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen browned bits. Return brisket to the pot and add 3 fresh thyme sprigs and 2 bay leaves.
- Step 5: Cover tightly and transfer to the oven. Braise for 3 to 3 1/2 hours until the brisket is fork-tender and sauce has thickened.
- Step 6: Remove brisket, let rest 15 minutes, then slice against the grain. Serve with the thickened sauce spooned over.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Beef Brisket with Bush Tomato and Anise Myrtle Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 230 minutes (20 min prep + 210 min cook). A small batch typically covers several meals in the week — store as the recipe directs.
How do I store leftover Slow-Cooked Beef Brisket with Bush Tomato and Anise Myrtle Sauce?
Transfer to an airtight jar and refrigerate for up to 5–7 days. Most sauces freeze well for up to 2 months — portion into small containers or freezer bags so you can thaw only what you need. Stir before serving; cream- or yogurt-based sauces may separate on standing.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Beef Brisket with Bush Tomato and Anise Myrtle Sauce?
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 Slow-Cooked Beef Brisket with Bush Tomato and Anise Myrtle Sauce 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 Slow-Cooked Beef Brisket with Bush Tomato and Anise Myrtle Sauce?
Australian beef 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.
