Tomato Braised Beef Brisket
Tender beef brisket slowly braised in a rich, tangy tomato sauce. The meat becomes melt-in-your-mouth soft while soaking up the sweet and savory flavors of fresh tomatoes and aromatic spices. A comforting homestyle dish that's perfect over rice.
Story
This classic comfort dish balances the natural sweetness of ripe tomatoes with the deep, savory richness of beef. The long, slow braising process transforms tough brisket into something incredibly tender.
Ingredients
beef brisket
500g (1.1 lb), cut into 3cm cubes
ripe tomatoes
3 medium, roughly chopped
yellow onion
1 large, diced
garlic cloves
4, minced
ginger
3 slices
green onions
2 stalks, cut into pieces
star anise
2 pieces
bay leaves
2 leaves
soy sauce
2 tablespoons
cooking wine
2 tablespoons
tomato paste
1 tablespoon
sugar
1 teaspoon
salt
to taste
vegetable oil
2 tablespoons
Instructions
1
Prep the beef
Cut the brisket into even 3cm cubes. Place in a bowl and cover with cold water for 30 minutes to draw out blood and impurities. Drain and pat completely dry with paper towels.
2
Sear the meat
Heat oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over high heat. Add beef cubes in a single layer and sear until deeply browned on all sides, about 4 minutes total. Remove and set aside.
3
Build the base
In the same pot, add onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic, ginger, star anise, and bay leaves. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tomato paste and cook for another minute.
4
Braise until tender
Return beef to the pot. Add tomatoes, soy sauce, cooking wine, sugar, and enough water to cover the meat by about 2cm. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 1.5 to 2 hours until beef is fork-tender.
5
Finish and serve
Season with salt to taste. The sauce should be thick and clinging to the meat. Garnish with green onions and serve hot over steamed rice.
