Citric Acid Free Crockpot Beef Brisket with Caramelized Onions
Slow-cooked beef brisket is the kind of meal that fills the whole house with an irresistible aroma before you've even set the table. The flat cut gets rubbed down with a warming blend of turmeric, ginger, and Ceylon cinnamon, then seared until deeply browned before it ever touches the slow cooker — that step alone builds serious flavor. Golden caramelized onions, smashed garlic, bone broth, and coconut aminos create a rich braising liquid that keeps everything incredibly tender over eight hours on low. Avoiding citric acid can be tricky with store-bought sauces, marinades, and broths that sneak it in as a preservative, but every ingredient here is straightforward and easy to verify. Apple cider vinegar steps in to deglaze the pan and add a gentle brightness without any of the citric acid concerns that come with many commercial flavor boosters. After a long, slow braise, the brisket slices cleanly against the grain and practically melts under a spoonful of those jammy onions and savory pan juices. A scatter of fresh parsley at the end keeps it looking as good as it tastes.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- 3 lb beef brisket (flat cut)
- 1 ½ tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground ceylon cinnamon
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 3 large yellow onions, halved and thinly sliced
- 6 cloves garlic, smashed
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp coconut aminos
- 1 cup bone broth
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
In a small bowl, combine the salt, turmeric, ginger, and Ceylon cinnamon. Pat the brisket completely dry with paper towels, then rub the spice mixture evenly over all surfaces.
- 2
Heat the coconut oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the brisket fat-side down and sear undisturbed for 4–5 minutes, until deeply browned. Flip and sear the other side for 3–4 minutes, until browned. Transfer the brisket to the slow cooker insert.
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