Cooking Lesson #255: Instant Pot Beef Brisket (Faux Texas Barbecue)

…from the California Kitchen

How you doin’? Beef brisket is a tough cut of meat—one of the toughest—that can be cooked in a number of different styles. If cooked properly, brisket can be broken down into a cut of meat that is flavorful, tender, and buttery rich Texas-style barbecue—Yum!
 
Traditional Texas-style barbecue smoked brisket is usually prepared by rubbing the brisket with a dry spice rub, then smoking the beef slowly with over charcoal or wood for 10 to 12 hours at 212⁰ F.
 
My Instant Pot Beef Brisket can’t replace a good Texas-style barbecue smoked brisket completely—nothing can—but it’s an awesome shortcut and great alternative when you don’t have access to a grill, smoker or the time to do it.
 
You won’t be able to help but fall in love with this tender beef and great texture, bursting with moist and juicy beefy flavors. Plus the super yummy smoky, sweet, savory, spicy homemade barbecue sauce.
 
This recipe will save you time and hassle to meet your craving for deliciously gorgeous brisket, without any of the smokehouse clean-up.
 
Prep time:  20 minutes
Marinade time: 2 hours or overnight
Instant Pot time:  about 2 hours
Yield:  4 to 6 servings
 
Ingredients
2 to 3 pounds beef brisket (2 inches thick)
 
For the dry rub
3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons black pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground fennel
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke (I prefer Wright’s)
 
For the barbecue sauce
1 cup sliced onion
3 tablespoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon liquid smoke (Wright’s)
1/2 cup beef or chicken stock
1 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
 
Directions
To prepare the brisket dry rub

1. In a glass mixing bowl, mix all the dry rub ingredients together.
2. Rub the dry rub mixture on the brisket, then let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, so the salt can penetrate the meat.

To cook the Brisket

1. Add the sliced onion, minced garlic, maple syrup, honey, apple cider vinegar, liquid smoke and stock to the insert pan of the Instant Pot and mix well.
2. Add the marinated brisket to the Instant Pot.
3. Set Instant Pot to HIGH PRESSURE for 70 MINUTES
   
4. NATURAL RELEASE for 10 MINUTES.
   
5. Push the CANCEL button
6. Remove the lid carefully.
7. Carefully lift the cooked brisket out and place on a cutting board to rest.
8. Spoon off or use a fat separator to remove most of the fat from the BBQ sauce.
9. Press the SAUTÉ button and bring the BBQ sauce back to a simmer.
10. Mix in the ketchup, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar in the Instant Pot.  Let the BBQ sauce thicken by simmering for 10 TO 15 MINUTES, stirring occasionally.
11. Taste and adjust the seasoning, if necessary. You may need to add salt to your taste.
12. Brush some of the barbecue sauce over the brisket.
13. Use a blowtorch or place the brisket on a pan in the oven set to broil to slightly caramelize the BBQ sauce on the top of brisket.

ChefSecrets:  It ain’t no secret—always slice your brisket against the grain to maximize tenderness; and serve your sauce on the side.

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