Oven Roasted Brisket

This Oven Roasted Brisket is coated with a smoky spice rub and cooked low and slow with BBQ sauce until exceptionally tender. It’s delicious served with classic side dishes or piled on sandwich rolls.

When you want to enjoy the flavors of BBQ cuisine without firing up the smoker or grill, this brisket, my Oven Baked BBQ Chicken, Crock-Pot BBQ Beef, and Oven Baked Baby Back Ribs come to the rescue!

I love a recipe that defies the seasons. Regardless of the weather, you can satisfy your craving for BBQ with this Oven Roasted Brisket recipe. The ingredients are staples in my pantry so anytime I spy a nice brisket at the store, I know I can throw this together, rain or shine.

As we approach all those summer gatherings, beef brisket is a great option when entertaining a big group. Since your grill will most likely be packed full of other items, pop a brisket in your oven earlier in the day to be sure you’ll have plenty of food. And, the leftovers are fabulous!

Oven-baked brisket is one of those recipes that takes time. It’s perfect for a lazy summer Sunday or a cold and rainy winter day. As it cooks, your house will smell heavenly, and you will be asked repeatedly “when’s dinner”. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Ingredient Notes

• Beef brisket: I prefer a flat cut brisket for this recipe. If you don’t see this cut at your local grocery store, Costco has really nice quality briskets available most of the time. Briskets have a fat cap which should be trimmed to about ¼-inch. The Costco butchers do a great job of trimming them before they’re packaged up which saves you a step. See below for more details on the different cuts of brisket.
• Spice rub: The flavorful rub consists of dried thyme, smoked paprika, freshly ground black pepper, kosher salt, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and ground cumin.
• Worcestershire sauce: Adds a layer flavor to the sauce created as the brisket cooks.
• BBQ sauce: Use your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce or pick up a good one from a local BBQ joint.

How Much Beef Brisket Per Person?

When deciding what size brisket you need for your group, you should figure on at least ½ pound, or 8 ounces, of raw meat per person. The meat will shrink a bit as it cooks so the actual serving size will be about 6 ounces. Using this calculation, a 4 pound brisket is big enough to serve 8 people. If serving the brisket as part of a buffet with other main dish offereings, you can reduce the amount to 6 ounces of meat, per person.

How to Make Oven Roasted Brisket

1. Place the brisket in a roasting pan or large baking dish lined with foil. Combine the spice rub ingredients in a small bowl and use your hands to rub it over both sides of the meat.
2. Pour the Worcestershire sauce over the top.
3. Spread the BBQ sauce over the surface with an offset spatula or knife.
4. Cover the pan tightly with foil and place it on the center rack of a preheated 300 degree F oven. Don’t even peak at it for 2 hours. Then, flip the brisket, replace the foil, and bake for an additional 1½ to 2 hours, or until tender enough to easily slice.

Serving Suggestions

Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are a classic pairing with brisket. Try my Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes, Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes, or Broccoli Cheese Mashed Potatoes.

Vegetables: Colorful Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables or the sweet and savory Bourbon Glazed Carrots pictured in this post are both perfect for serving with brisket.

Cornbread: It does’t get any better than slightly sweet, buttered cornbread! My Rustic Sweet Cornbread and Mexican Cornbread are a perfect pairing with brisket.

Coleslaw: Crisp and tangy Quick Coleslaw (pictured in this post) or California Coleslaw will add freshness and crunch to your meal. The acidity from the dressing helps cut through the richness of the brisket.

Baked Beans: Smoky Baked Beans from Scratch are a classic barbecue side that pairs perfectly with brisket. For a faster version that is absolutely delicious, try my Instant Pot Baked Beans.

Salad: Green salads like my Simple Italian Salad and Southwest Chopped Salad always work! Fresh, crunchy veggie-loaded salads like Asparagus Salad and Summer Corn Salad add refreshing contrast to the hearty brisket. While, creamy Old Fashioned Potato Salad with crunchy celery and tangy dressing is a classic barbecue side. Browse my entire category of Salad recipes for more inspiration.

Macaroni and Cheese: Creamy macaroni and cheese is a decadent side dish that complements this oven-roasted brisket in a wonderful way. We love my Baked Macaroni and Cheese and Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese.

Brisket Sandwiches: Pile the brisket on toasted sandwich rolls with a little additional BBQ sauce. Add your favorite toppings like pickles, onions, and coleslaw.

Storage and Reheating Tips

• Storage: Wrap the brisket tightly in aluminum foil to minimize air exposure and prevent ir from drying out. Store the brisket in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
• Reheating Leftovers: To maintain moisture, reheat leftover brisket slowly in an oven preheated to 250 degrees F. Place the brisket in a baking dish and cover it with foil. Alternatively, you can reheat individual portions in a microwave-safe dish with a splash of beef broth or water to keep it moist. For a quicker option, slice the brisket thinly and reheat it in a skillet over low heat with a bit of beef broth or BBQ sauce.

Sign up for my free newsletter for all the latest recipes and join me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest for more cooking inspiration!

This post was originally published on November 27, 2012. It has been updated with new text and images.