Atlanta Brisket
A tender beef brisket braised in Coca-Cola with onions and tomato-based gravy. This Southern-style dish features a unique combination of sweet cola marinade and savory spices, resulting in a flavorful and succulent meat dish perfect for family gatherings.
Ingredients
- •5 pounds fresh beef brisket, trimmed of excess fat
- •2 bottles Coca-Cola (not Diet Coke)
- •1 teaspoon kosher salt
- •1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- •3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- •2 cups Coca-Cola marinade, reserved from above
- •1 envelope dry onion soup mix
- •1 can salt-free tomato sauce
- •½ cup tomato ketchup
- •3 large yellow onions
- •3 whole bay leaves
Cooking Instructions
- 1.
1. Place brisket in large nonreactive roaster with snug-fitting lid (I used one measuring 15 1/2 inches long, 12 inches wide, and 4 inches deep). Pour Coca-Cola evenly over brisket, cover, and refrigerate 24 hours, turning brisket once or twice in Coca-Cola marinade.
1440 min
- 2.
2. When ready to proceed, preheat oven to 325°F. Lift brisket from roaster and pat dry. Line large fine sieve with coffee filter and set over medium-size bowl. Pour in Coca-Cola marinade and let drip through.
15 min
- 3.
3. Rub brisket well on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat oil in very large (15-inch) heavy skillet about 1 minute over high heat until ripples appear on pan bottom. Add brisket and brown 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Return brisket to roaster, now rinsed and dried.
10 min
- 4.
4. For Gravy: Combine 2 cups filtered Coca-Cola marinade, soup mix, tomato sauce, and ketchup and pour over brisket. Scatter sliced onions on top and drop in bay leaves. Note: If you use fresh bay leaves, crinkle them a bit as you drop them into the roaster to release their flavor.
5 min
- 5.
5. Cover roaster, slide into lower third of oven, and braise brisket 4 hours. Check roaster at half time and if liquid seems skimpy-not likely-add a little more filtered Coca-Cola marinade, or beef broth, or water.
240 min
- 6.
6. Remove roaster from oven and set on trivet on counter. Remove lid and cool brisket at least 30 minutes to allow juices to settle and meat to firm up. Note: Some cooks bring the brisket to room temperature before serving. Discard bay leaves and remaining Coca-Cola marinade.
30 min
- 7.
7. To serve, lift brisket to cutting board and slice about 1/4 inch thick-across the grain and slightly on the bias. Overlap brisket slices on large platter and smother with pan gravy and onions. The best accompaniment? For me nothing beats a tart and creamy coleslaw.
10 min
