Braised Brisket Tacos

The perfect party spread always includes guac.

• Ready In: 5 hrs 40 mins
• Serves: 5-7

Ingredients

• For the Brisket

• 2 1⁄2 lbs  lean cut beef brisket
•  kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 2  tablespoons  extra-virgin olive oil
• 2  medium carrots, coarsely chopped
• 1  large yellow onion, coarsely chopped
• 2  celery ribs, coarsely chopped
• 1  red bell pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped
• 3  garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1  tablespoon ground coriander
• 1  tablespoon ground cumin
• 1  tablespoon paprika
• 2  teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 2  teaspoons dried oregano
• 2  tablespoons tomato paste
•  chopped san marzano tomatoes
• 4  cups low sodium beef broth

• For the Pesto Guac

• 3  avocados, peeled and pitted
• 1  lemon, juice and zest of
• 2  tablespoons  extra-virgin olive oil
• 1⁄2 cup basil, finely chopped
• 1⁄4 cup  finely grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese
•  kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper

• For the Apple-Pear Slaw

• 1  honeycrisp apple, sliced into matchsticks
• 1  Anjou pear, sliced into matchsticks
• 1⁄4 head red cabbage, cored and very thinly sliced crosswise
• 3  tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 3  tablespoons  extra-virgin olive oil
•  kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 1  small  soft tortilla, for serving
•  fresh cilantro, for serving
•  lime wedge, for serving
•  yogurt, for serving
•  hot sauce, for serving

Directions

1. For the brisket:
2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Season brisket generously with salt and pepper.
3. Preheat a large dutch oven over medium heat. Place brisket in pot, fat side down, and sear on all sides until deeply golden brown, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove brisket to a plate.
4. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, carrot, onion, celery, pepper, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper and and saute? until softened and beginning to caramelize, about 6 minutes. Add coriander, cumin, paprika, cayenne, and oregano and toast, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tomato paste and cook, 1-2 minutes, before adding tomatoes and beef stock. Bring to a brisk simmer, return meat to pot, and cover. Transfer to oven and braise, flipping brisket every 45 minutes, until meat is tender and shreds easily with two forks, about 4-5 hours. Remove meat from sauce and keep lightly covered.
5. Return dutch oven to stove top over high heat and cook, stirring frequently to prevent scorching, until sauce is reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low and return meat to sauce. Using two forks, pull meat into long shreds. Fold to coat with sauce and keep warm until ready to serve.
6. For Pesto Guac:
7. Combine avocados, lemon juice, and olive oil in a medium bowl. Mash with a fork or potato masher until desired consistency is reached. Add basil and parmigiano-reggiano. Fold to combine, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Keep covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
8. For Apple-Pear Slaw:
9. Combine apple, pear, cabbage, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil in a large bowl. Toss to combine and season to taste with salt and pepper. Keep covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
10. To serve, warm tortillas, in batches if necessary, in a cast iron skillet on medium heat for 30 seconds to 1 minute per side. Transfer to a dish towel to keep warm. Serve with brisket and sauce, guac, slaw, cilantro, lime wedges, yogurt, and hot sauce.