Susan Lafreniere’s 3-Day Brisket

📜 Collection: General Archive | ✍️ Attribution: Susan Lafreniere | 📂 Category: Entrees A classic, multi-day recipe from Susan Lafreniere featuring a slow-roasted beef brisket that is chilled, sliced, and reheated in homemade BBQ sauce.


Prep TimeCook TimeInactive / Chill TimeYield / Servings
20 mins11 hours3 Days8-10 servings

🔪 Key Equipment

  • Small saucepan
  • Heavy-duty aluminum foil
  • Roasting pan
  • Baking dish
  • Knife

Ingredients

BBQ Sauce

MeasurementsIngredientsPrep / Notes
1/2 TablespoonBrown SugarNone
1/2 CupCatsupNone
1/4 CupWaterNone
DashPepperNone
1/2 TeaspoonSaltNone
1 TeaspoonCelery SaltOr Celery Seed
3 TablespoonsButterNone
1/2 TeaspoonDry MustardNone
2 TablespoonsWorcestershireNone
1 TablespoonLiquid SmokeNone

Brisket

MeasurementsIngredientsPrep / Notes
1 (3-5 lb.)BrisketNone
2-3 TbspLiquid SmokeFor basting
1 TbspSaltFor basting
1 TbspOnionDried flakes
1 TbspGarlic PowderNone

Instructions

Step 1: Make the BBQ Sauce

  1. In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar, 1/2 cup catsup, 1/4 cup water, dash of pepper, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon celery salt, 3 tablespoons butter, 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard, 2 tablespoons worcestershire, and 1 tablespoon liquid smoke.
  2. Heat slowly, stirring continuously, until the butter is melted and the sauce is fully combined. Set aside to cool completely.

Step 2: Day 1 - Season & Rest

  1. Place the 1 (3-5 lb.) brisket in a large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil.
  2. Baste the brisket generously with 2-3 tbsp liquid smoke and 1 tbsp salt.
  3. Wrap tightly in the foil and refrigerate overnight.

Step 3: Day 2 - Slow Roast & Chill

  1. Preheat oven to 275°F (135°C).
  2. Open the foil and rub the brisket thoroughly with 1 tbsp dried onion and 1 tbsp garlic powder.
  3. Rewrap tightly in the foil, place in a roasting pan, and bake for 10 hours without opening the foil.
  4. After 10 hours, remove from the oven, let cool slightly, and refrigerate overnight in the foil until thoroughly chilled.

Step 4: Day 3 - Slice, Sauce & Reheat

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
  2. Remove the cold brisket from the foil and scrape off any congealed fat. Slice the brisket thinly against the grain.
  3. Place the sliced brisket back in the foil or a clean baking dish.
  4. Cover the brisket slices completely with the cooled BBQ sauce and rewrap or cover tightly with foil.
  5. Bake for 1 hour, or until the sauce is hot and bubbly and the meat is fork-tender.

💡 Make-Ahead & Storage: This recipe is designed to be made over 3 days, with the brisket resting and chilling overnight at multiple stages before its final bake.


Original Recipe Scan

Original Handwritten Card