Blueberry Balsamic Braised Brisket is a must-try, unique brisket recipe for the holidays! If you’ve never had blueberries with brisket, you’re missing out, and you won’t believe how amazing it is!
This recipe was featured in the August 2015 issue of Gluten-Free Living Magazine!
There’s a reason blueberries are being called “little blue dynamos.” Blueberries can enhance much more than a bowl of granola, my friends!
Inspiration
These dynamos have a place at breakfast, lunch, dinner and everything in-between. From grilled cheese sandwiches, to sparkling cocktails and cookies — these wonderfully sweet berries, chock full of nutrients, are finding their way into all sorts of dishes.
Enter my Blueberry Balsamic Braised Brisket.
And believe it or not, there’s no better place for blueberries than melding into the delicious, rich juices of a braising brisket and the tangy, sweetness of balsamic vinegar.
A perfect match!
What’s in Blueberry Balsamic Braised Brisket Recipe
- blueberries, brisket and balsamic vinegar, of course 😉
- pearl onions
- garlic
- thyme
- beef stock
- red wine
- butter
- brown sugar
Can you just imagine all of those delicious flavors, being slow cooked together in one pot? It’s amazing!
A True Comfort Food
This unique brisket recipe is a true comfort food dish! It’s absolutely divine for a cool fall or winter evening. And of course it would be the star of a Hanukkah table. And/or Christmas!
You’ll savor each and every bite.
Just look at how tender the meat is! And the sauce — oh my, the sauce!
Enjoy every last bite!
Can you make Blueberry Balsamic Braised Brisket ahead?
Yes! In fact, this is a recipe that actually gets better and better with time. I usually make it at least one day before I want to serve it.
More brisket recipes you’ll love:
This is a must-try, unique brisket recipe for the holidays! If you've never had blueberries with brisket, you're missing out, and you won't believe how amazing it is!
- ½ pound red Pearl onions (click here for How to Easily Peel Pearl Onions)
- 1 approximately (1 3/4-pound) beef brisket
- olive oil for the pan
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
- 1½ cups beef stock
- 1½ cups frozen blueberries, thawed to room temperature
- ¼ cup dry red wine, such as Cabernet, Merlot, Shiraz
- ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1½ teaspoons unsalted butter
- 1½ teaspoons brown sugar
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup fresh blueberries
- a few sprigs fresh thyme for garnish
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Preheat the oven to 325°F.
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To peel the pearl onions, bring a few inches of water to a boil in a medium-sized pot. Fill a medium-sized bowl with ice water and set it aside. Add the onions and turn off the heat. Let them sit for about two minutes, drain them, and then add them to the bowl of ice water. Once they are cool enough to touch, use a paring knife to cut a sliver off where the root is. Then use your hands to gently slide the skin off. Set the peeled onions aside.
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Trim the fat off the brisket and season both sides with salt and pepper. Set aside.
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Coat the bottom of a large, oven proof pot with a fitted lid, with olive oil. (A Dutch oven in perfect.) Place the pot over medium-high heat.
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Once the pot is very hot, add the brisket. You should hear a sizzling sound when it hits the pan -- if you don't, wait until it's hotter. Sear the brisket until it's nicely browned, 1 to 2 minutes per side.
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Remove the brisket from the pot and place it on a large plate. Set aside.
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Turn the heat under the pot to medium and add the peeled onions and garlic. Sauté, stirring periodically, until the onions are beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the thyme and continue to cook for another 30 seconds or so, until it's very aromatic.
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To deglaze, add the stock, frozen (thawed) blueberries and red wine. Use a wooden, flat-edged spatula to scrape off any bits of brisket, onion and garlic that may be stuck to the bottom of the pot.
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Return the brisket to the pot and bring to a boil.
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Cover and place in the preheated 325°F oven to braise for 1-1/2 hours, gently braising any portion of the brisket that's not submerged in the liquid.
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Remove the pot from the oven, add the balsamic vinegar, and gently mix it in evenly around the brisket.
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Cover the pot again and return it to the oven. Continue to braise until the brisket is very tender, about 1 more hour. (You can test it with a fork to see how easily it comes apart -- you want it to be able to pull apart, but still be firm enough to slice.)
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Remove the brisket and place it on a large plate to cool.
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Place the pot over low heat and simmer until it's reduced by at least half, and has thickened into a rich sauce, about 30 minutes. As it's simmering, you can use a large soup spoon to remove any grease that rises to the top.
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Add the butter and brown sugar and season to taste with salt and pepper.
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While the sauce is simmering, slice the brisket against the grain, into thin slices, about ¼to ½-inch.
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Just before you're ready to serve, fold the fresh blueberries into the sauce.
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To serve, either add the brisket slices to the sauce, or arrange the slices on serving platter and drizzle the sauce over them.
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Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs.
If you want to make sure you remove as much grease as possible, before reducing the sauce, bring the pot to room temperature, place it in the refrigerator overnight, and then you can easily scrape it off the top. (Since you will be trimming the fat from the brisket before you begin, there shouldn't be too much grease.)
You can make this up to 4 days ahead -- it only gets better.
sippitysup says
The blueberries are so creative in this! I just made my first brisket last week for The Table Set Holiday podcast. I was so surprised how tender it was. I always assumed briskets were like old shoes. Yum. GREG
valentina says
They’re more like soft socks, no? 😉
Priscilla | ShesCookin says
Perfect for Thanksgivukkah! The blueberries add a sweet, bright note to the brisket. xo
valentina says
Thank you, Priscilla! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. xo
Deb says
What a delectable brisket recipe! The exceptional flavor of the blueberries transport comfort food to celebration status! Happy Thanksgivukkah!
valentina says
Deb, I love that . . . “celebration status!” Thank you! Hope you are having a great holiday. 🙂
Ash-foodfashionparty says
Looks so appetizing.
Have a great week.
valentina says
Thank you, Asha. Hope you have a lovely holiday week, too. 🙂
Coco in the Kitchen says
Love the name! BBBB
Would never have thought to pair blueberries w a roast.
Very cool idea, V.
Sending you warm Thanksgiving wishes.
xoxo
valentina says
Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy holiday, Colette! I’m very thankful to have you as one of my readers! xo
valentina says
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving, Colette! 🙂
David says
Like the tuna and cocoa, I would have never thought to combine these! But why not? I have been craving a brisket lately and now you have given me two recipes form which to choose… which one first? Big decision…. BIG decision.
valentina says
As long a the brisket is cooked well (falling of my fork!), any which way is delicious!
Dora says
This was absolutely fantastic! I made it using my pressure cooker with a couple of changes to the ingredients available in my kitchen. Melt-in-your-mouth tender!
valentina says
Thanks so much, Dora! So happy you enjoyed it! erfect use of the pressure cooker. 🙂
Mara Kaplan says
Can I make this ahead of time and freeze it? Also can I double the recipe? I am having 25 people for Passover Seder and this looks like it would be a new take on an old favorite.
valentina says
Hi Mara, You can definitely double (or triple!) the recipe. And while I haven’t frozen this particular dish, I think it should be fine. Just make sure it’s sealed very well in the freezer, and that you take it out at least a day or two in advance. Let it come to room temperature and then give it a generous amount of time on the stove or oven, and re-season with salt and pepper if necessary. Thanks for visiting my site and enjoy! 🙂
Katie says
I love brisket, and I can’t wait to try the blueberry balsamic!!
valentina says
Thanks, Katie!
Adrianne says
Wow. I have never seen blueberries served in a meat dish before. But this brisket sounds fantastic!! I will have to try it. Cheers
valentina says
Thanks, Adrianne – hope you love it!
Beth Neels says
Wow! I would have never thought about blueberries with brisket! What a great idea! The sweetness of the blueberries and the kick of the balsamic must be a wonderful combination!
valentina says
Thanks so much, Beth. Yes it is. 🙂
Emily Krill says
It has never occurred to me to pair brisket with blueberries but it sounds just wonderful> Can’t wait to try this recipe!
valentina says
It’s really an interesting and delicious blend of flavors. Thanks for visiting and hope you try it. 🙂
Natalie says
This sounds so delicious and super flavorful. I bet my family would love this. I must save it and prepare it. It’s perfect for weekends dinner.
valentina says
You are welcome! And thank YOU! 😀