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Belgian Ale-Braised Brisket

This Belgian ale-braised brisket is a sophisticated take on a classic pot roast, offering a deep, complex flavour profile that rewards patience. The combination of spicy ginger, sharp Dijon mustard, and the honeyed notes of a Belgian-style tripel ale creates a rich, glossy gravy that perfectly complements the tender beef. By roasting the brisket first with a sugar-mustard rub before the slow-braise, you achieve a beautiful caramelised crust that adds an extra layer of savoury depth to the finished dish.

As a high-protein main course, this recipe is ideal for weekend entertaining or a hearty family dinner. The slow-cooking process transforms a budget-friendly cut of beef into something truly elegant, and because the flavours actually improve over time, it is a brilliant make-ahead option. Serve thick slices of the succulent meat alongside buttery mashed potatoes or steamed greens to soak up every drop of the aromatic ale-infused sauce.

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Ingredients for Belgian Ale-Braised Brisket

  • 450g piece flat-cut beef brisket, untrimmed

  • Kosher salt

  • 50g Dijon mustard

  • 50g (packed) dark brown sugar

  • 1 tablespoon grated peeled ginger

  • 2 tablespoons bacon fat or vegetable oil

  • 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced

  • 30g plain flour

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 1 750-milliliter bottle Belgian-style tripel ale

  • 950ml beef stock or low-sodium chicken broth

Season brisket with salt. Wrap tightly in plastic and chill at least 8 hours.

Let brisket sit at room temperature 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 204°C. Combine mustard, brown sugar, and ginger in a small bowl. Unwrap brisket, place on a wire rack set inside a large rimmed baking sheet, and rub mustard mixture all over brisket. Roast until top is nicely browned, 30–40 minutes.

Remove brisket from oven and reduce oven temperature to 149°C.

Meanwhile, heat bacon fat in a large heavy ovenproof pot over medium heat. Add onions; season with salt and cook, stirring often, until deep golden brown, 8–10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, add flour, and cook, stirring often, until mixture smells nutty, about 4 minutes. Add bay leaf, ale, and stock. Bring to a simmer. Add brisket, cover, and transfer to oven. Braise, turning every 30 minutes, until fork-tender, 3–4 hours. Discard bay leaf.

Transfer brisket to a cutting board and let rest at least 20 minutes.

If braising liquid is thin, bring to a boil, reduce, and simmer, skimming surface as needed, until thick enough to coat a spoon; season with salt, if needed. Slice brisket against the grain. Serve with braising liquid.

DO AHEAD: Brisket can be braised 2 days ahead. Cover and chill in braising liquid.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 28 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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