Nitrate & Nitrite Free Crockpot Beef Brisket with Caramelized Onions
Slow-cooked brisket is one of those deeply satisfying meals that feels like it took serious effort, even though your crockpot does most of the heavy lifting. The flat cut gets rubbed in a warm, aromatic blend of turmeric, ginger, and Ceylon cinnamon before a hard sear locks in a gorgeous crust — that step alone makes the whole kitchen smell incredible. Golden caramelized onions, smashed garlic, apple cider vinegar, and coconut aminos build a braising liquid that's rich and savory without relying on any cured or processed ingredients. That matters more than it sounds, because conventional brisket braises often call for packaged broths, soy sauces, or cured meats that quietly sneak in preservatives. Here, everything is straightforward and clean — bone broth, fresh herbs, and real pantry staples you can actually read the label on. After eight hours on low, the meat is fall-apart tender and sliced against the grain into silky, juice-soaked pieces that pile beautifully onto a platter. A scatter of fresh parsley at the end keeps it bright, and the spooned-over onions and braising juices make every single bite worth the wait.
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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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