Brisket Tacos

If the brisket you know comes smoked with barbecue sauce or simmered with carrots and potatoes, these brisket tacos will blow you away. A slow braise with spicy chipotle peppers in adobo, garlic, and ginger infuses the brisket as it becomes meltingly tender. Don’t be tempted to skip the browning step here: It gives the meat a delicious caramelized crust and creates the drippings to sauté the onion. Pile the brisket onto tortillas with hot pink pickled onions (a snap to make in the microwave). It’ll taste better than all the tacos you’ve had before, and will rank right at the top of your favorite Mexican-inspired meals.

What is a brisket flat?

Brisket is a big cut of beef made up of two parts: the point and the flat. The point is the curved, narrower end of the brisket, and the flat looks like a rectangle. Most supermarkets sell them separately, but if the brisket comes whole or the flat is too big, ask the butcher to cut it for you. 

Is brisket expensive?

The cost of beef has risen a lot over the past few years, so even cuts that aren’t considered prime (like steak or tenderloin) can feel pricier. Still, this cut is more affordable than others, packs a ton of beefy flavor, and can easily serve a crowd or be used in multiple meals.

How do you keep brisket from getting tough?

Funny enough, brisket often becomes tough and dry when cooked in liquid because a high-heat simmer draws out the brisket’s juices and causes the meat fibers to tighten up. Be sure to keep the heat at a low, slow simmer (it’ll take time, but the results will be worth it!).