Slow Roast Beef Brisket with Onion Gravy
A tender, sliceable brisket braised for hours with carrots and bay, served with sweet onion gravy and cabbage.
Made with Onion gravy. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time4 hr 15
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £4.58 a head
- Oven150°C (130°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oven to 150°C (130°C fan). Season the brisket well all over with salt and black pepper.
- 2
Heat the oil in a large flameproof casserole over a high heat. Brown the brisket for 3 to 4 minutes on each side and lift it out.
8 min - 3
Add the carrots and celery to the pot and cook for 3 minutes. Stir in the tomato purée, then add the stock and bay leaves and bring to a simmer.
3 min - 4
Return the brisket to the pot, cover tightly and cook in the oven for 3 hours, until a fork slides in easily.
180 min - 5
Lift the brisket on to a board, cover with foil and rest for 20 minutes.
20 min - 6
Meanwhile, ladle 150 ml of the braising liquid into a pan, add 450 ml of your ready made onion gravy (see the base recipe) and simmer for 10 minutes until steaming hot and slightly reduced. Boil the cabbage for 4 minutes and drain.
10 min - 7
Slice the brisket across the grain and serve with the carrots, cabbage and plenty of hot gravy.
Tips
- Always slice brisket across the grain, otherwise it can be stringy even when fully cooked.
- Keep the pot tightly covered in the oven so the meat braises and does not dry out.
- Cook it a day ahead and chill. It slices more neatly cold, then reheats in the gravy.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 2 hours and keep sliced brisket in its gravy in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
How do I know brisket is cooked?
It is ready when a fork or knife slides in with almost no resistance and the meat starts to pull apart. If it feels tight, cook it for another 30 minutes and check again.
Can I cook this in a slow cooker?
Yes. Brown the meat, then cook on low for 8 to 9 hours with the vegetables and stock. Finish the gravy on the hob as in the recipe.
Is this brisket dish gluten free?
Yes, provided the beef stock and your ready made onion gravy use gluten free stock and Worcestershire sauce. Check every label.
More made with onion gravy
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.