3 Ingredient Cranberry Brisket

This easy 3-ingredient cranberry brisket is a cozy oven-baked dinner that turns a few simple ingredients into tender, flavorful beef with a sweet and tangy cranberry glaze. The brisket slowly cooks until fork-tender while the cranberry sauce and onion soup mix create a rich, glossy sauce.

Perfect for fall dinners, Thanksgiving gatherings, Christmas meals, or an easy Sunday family dinner, this oven-baked brisket recipe requires very little preparation. Just combine the ingredients, cover, and let the oven do the work.

Ingredients

• 1 beef brisket, about 4–5 pounds
• 1 can (14 ounces) whole berry cranberry sauce
• 1 envelope (about 1 ounce) dry onion soup mix

How to Make 3-Ingredient Cranberry Brisket

1. Prepare the brisket

Preheat your oven to 325°F. Place the beef brisket fat-side up in a large Dutch oven or oven-safe baking dish.

2. Add the cranberry topping

Spread the cranberry sauce evenly over the brisket. Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix over the cranberry sauce, covering the surface as evenly as possible.

3. Bake until tender

Cover the baking dish tightly with a lid or aluminum foil. Bake for approximately 3½ to 4 hours, or until the brisket is fork-tender and easy to pierce.

4. Rest the meat

Remove the brisket from the oven and keep it covered. Let it rest for 15–20 minutes before slicing.

5. Slice and serve

Transfer the brisket to a cutting board and slice it thinly against the grain. Spoon some of the warm cranberry sauce from the baking dish over each serving.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Only 3 main ingredients: A simple ingredient list makes this recipe easy to prepare.
• Tender and flavorful: Slow oven baking gives the brisket plenty of time to become tender.
• Sweet and savory: Cranberry sauce adds a bright sweet-tart flavor that pairs beautifully with beef.
• Great for holidays: This cranberry brisket makes an impressive centerpiece for fall and winter gatherings.
• Easy preparation: There is very little hands-on cooking, making it convenient for busy days.
• Excellent leftovers: Extra brisket can be reheated in its sauce or turned into sandwiches.
• Make-ahead friendly: Preparing the brisket a day ahead can make slicing easier and allow the flavors to develop.

Helpful Tips

Slice against the grain: This is one of the most important steps when serving brisket. Cutting against the grain helps produce more tender slices.

Use whole berry or smooth cranberry sauce: Whole berry cranberry sauce gives the finished dish more texture. For a smoother glaze, stir or whisk the cranberry sauce before adding it to the brisket.

Let it rest: Don’t rush the resting period. Keeping the brisket covered for 15–20 minutes helps the juices settle before slicing.

Make it ahead: Cook the brisket, cool it in the sauce, and refrigerate it overnight. The next day, slice it and gently reheat it covered in the sauce.

Choose your brisket cut: Flat-cut brisket is convenient when you want neat slices, while point-cut brisket tends to have more marbling and a richer texture.

Optional Flavor Variations

For extra flavor, mix 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard into the cranberry sauce before spreading it over the brisket.

For a little tangy heat, add a small amount of chili sauce to the cranberry mixture.

These additions are optional—the original three-ingredient version is delicious on its own.

What to Serve With Cranberry Brisket

Serve this tender beef brisket with classic comfort-food sides such as:

• Creamy mashed potatoes
• Buttered egg noodles
• Roasted carrots
• Green beans
• Rice pilaf
• Crusty bread
• Simple apple and walnut salad

The cranberry glaze is especially good spooned over mashed potatoes or noodles.

Make-Ahead and Leftover Ideas

Cranberry brisket is an excellent make-ahead dinner. After cooking, allow the brisket to cool in its sauce and refrigerate it overnight. Slice it while cold, then gently reheat the slices covered with the sauce.

Leftovers can also be used to make cranberry brisket sandwiches. Place thin slices of reheated beef on soft rolls and spoon a little warm cranberry sauce over the meat.