Beef Brisket in a Slow Cooker

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Cooking beef brisket in a slow cooker gives you meaty, tender beef infused with incredible flavor. Irresistibly juicy and effortless thanks to the convenient Crock-Pot. A fork-tender, fall-off-the-bone main course for even better leftover makeovers.

Beef brisket slow cooked in a convenient Crock-Pot.

I couldn’t wait to share this easy and tasty recipe. In fact, hubby and I stood around devouring the rested meat as soon as I finished taking pictures. The silence was broken only by the oohs and aahs as we helped ourselves huge forkfuls.

Pantry staple ingredients and a slow cooker deliver intensely delicious flavor and melt-in-your-mouth beef. You’ll go totally GA-GA over this dish!

Slicing into a slow cooked brisket with gravy ready to serve over mashed potatoes.

What Makes Brisket Worth the Wait

Beef brisket comes from the chest, where the muscles are well-used. That means it can be tough if not cooked right. However, it’s super flavorful and benefits greatly from cooking it low and slow. In fact, it does so well that it makes great corned beef and pastrami.

How to Slow Cook Beef Brisket

Trim excess fat from the brisket. (Photo 1)
Generously season the brisket with salt and pepper, followed by Creole seasoning, steak seasoning, or your favorite beef seasoning. (Photos 2-3)
Sear – Heat oil in a large, heavy skillet or cast-iron pan over high heat, and when hot, add brisket (fat side down). Sear for 4-5 minutes on each side or until browned, flipping once. Transfer to a platter. (Photo 4)

Saute the aromatics, load the Crock-Pot, and simmer for 4-8 hours.

Flavorings – Add sliced onions, garlic, and thyme to the same pan. Sauté for 4-5 minutes or until fragrant and onions are translucent. Add the Worcestershire and soy sauce and cook for another minute. (Photo 5)
Cook – Place sautéed onions at the bottom of the slow cooker, then add the brisket. Top the brisket with three-quarters of the barbecue sauce. Cook on low for about 8 hours or high for 4-5 hours, depending on the size of the brisket. (Photos 6-8)
Serve – Turn off the slow cooker and let the beef rest for about 15 minutes with the lid on. Remove brisket, place on a board, brush the top with the remaining BBQ sauce, slice, and serve.

Slow cooked brisket ready to take out of the Crock-Pot and serve.

Recipe Tips

Vegetables make a great addition. Simply add carrots, potatoes, bell peppers, and cabbage before adding the brisket to the slow cooker.
If you’re up for a flame-throwing party, you can go with habanero, serrano, jalapeno, or Scotch bonnet pepper. But if that’s too adventurous for you, a dash of hot sauce or sriracha will do the trick.
Browning the beef adds more flavor and a slight crust, but don’t feel bad if you don’t have time. Assemble ingredients in the slow cooker and go your merry way.
If you’re in a hurry, a pressure cooker will work. Using the same recipe, cook the beef for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. You can reduce the sauce at the end if needed.
If you want to braise it instead, add a cup or two of broth (or half broth and half red wine), and cook the brisket in a covered pan for four hours in a 320℉ (160 ℃) oven. Then remove the cover and bake for another 30 minutes. Baste the meat with pan juices to prevent drying.

Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions

Making brisket the day before allows flavors to develop for an even better main dish. It also gives you the opportunity to skim off the hardened fat that rises to the top.

Store leftovers in an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer-safe resealable bag. It will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days or 3-4 months in the freezer.

Reheat leftover brisket with some of the broth or juices in a covered roasting pan in a 325°F (162 ℃) oven or in a saucepan.

Enjoying tender brisket made better in a slow cooker.

FAQs

Can you overcook beef brisket in a slow cooker?

Slow cooking it for more time breaks down the meat’s connective tissues, resulting in a juicy and tender beefy goodness. But overcooking it will give you a mushy beef brisket, so try not to cook it for more than 10 hours.

Should you put water in the slow cooker when cooking brisket?

I don’t usually add water because the barbecue sauce usually adds enough moisture. You’ll also get some juice from the brisket. But add a little broth if you’re worried it will dry out.

How long do you cook a brisket?

Slow cooking gets the most out of beef brisket. For a 4-5 pound brisket, cook it on low for 8-10 hours and 4-5 hours on high. Of course, you’d want to adjust the cooking time depending on the thickness of the brisket. You could also roast it in the oven for about five hours (or more) at 320℉ (160 ℃).

What Loves to Pair With Slow Cooked Brisket

A huge pile of mashed potatoes is my choice so I can load up on that gravy. But cornbread or creamed corn and roasted carrots are all good, too. Plus, sweet potato pie is a fabulous dessert.

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This blog post was originally published in June 2019 and has been updated with additional tips and gorgeous photos.