Juicy, flavorful and melt-in-your-mouth tender, my Slow Cooker Brisket recipe is loaded with smoky, savory and sweet BBQ vibes. With a rich spice rub, tangy sauce and hours of slow cooking, the result is a tender brisket that’s perfect for a holiday main dish, casual weekend dinner or meal prep.
Brisket may be considered a tough cut of meat before cooking, but the low and slow method transforms it into a juicy, flavorful roast that slices like butter. Whether you’re making it for a backyard get-together, serving up BBQ brisket sandwiches or shredding leftover brisket for tacos the next day, this slow cooker meal is a hands-off way to get the best BBQ flavors without tending a smoker for hours.
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Easy Slow Cooker Brisket
- Ingredients
- Substitutions and Variations
- How to Make Slow Cooker Brisket
- More Recipes You Will Love
- How to Store This Easy Slow Cooker Brisket
- What to Serve with Slow Cooker Brisket
- Top Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions About Easy Slow Cooker Brisket
- More Recipes You Will Love
- Slow Cooker Brisket
We love using our Crockpot or Instant Pot to make larger recipes so we can have leftovers to use for newly inspired meals. Here are a couple other recipes you may enjoy: Instant Pot Pork Carnitas, Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken, Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas, Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork, BBQ Sliders, Pulled Pork Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls, Crockpot Sweet and Sour Meatballs and Meatball Sliders.
Why You Will Love This Easy Slow Cooker Brisket
- Low Effort, High Reward: This is the best brisket recipe for busy days— just sear, set to low temperature and let the slow cooker recipe do the work.
- Incredible Flavor: The combination of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce and honey create a tangy sauce with a hint of sweetness.
- Versatile Leftovers: The best part of this recipe? The leftovers. Enjoy BBQ beef brisket hot, then try brisket tacos or brisket sliders the next day.
- Perfect Texture: Slow cooking a thick cut with a layer of fat ensures it stays moist and fork tender.
- Crowd-Pleasing Main Dish: From family dinners to game day, this slow cooker beef brisket is a hit with the whole family.
Ingredients
With just a quick trip to the grocery store, you will be ready to make this simple recipe.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Seasonings: Our combination of seasonings add flavor and a light smoky heat.
- Vegetable Oil: Used to sear over high heat and develop a crust.
- Brisket (Flat Cut or Second Cut): A thick cut ideal for slow cooking.
- Beef Broth: Adds moisture and flavor to the cooking liquid.
- BBQ Sauce: You can use store-bought or homemade barbecue sauce for a rich base.
- Honey: Brings a touch of sweetness to balance the savory notes.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds umami and depth to the tangy sauce.
- Minced Garlic: Added garlic cloves infuse the cooking beef brisket with flavor.
- Yellow Onions: Cook down into the sauce for added sweetness.
For this simple recipe, you'll want to have on hand a slow cooker, measuring cups and spoons, whisk, mixing bowl and instant thermometer, I love this Thermoworks one.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are some different ways to change up this recipe and make it your own.
- Chuck Roast: Swap brisket for chuck roast for a shorter cook time but similar flavor.
- Instant Pot: Use the sauté function to sear, then pressure cook for 90 minutes for a faster version.
- Soy Sauce: Add 2 tablespoons for extra savory depth in the cooking liquid.
- Dijon Mustard: Spread a thin layer on the fat side before searing for a tangy crust.
- Brown Sugar: Replace honey with brown sugar for a richer sweetness.
- Herbs: For extra depth of flavor, add some fresh herbs like thyme sprigs.
How to Make Slow Cooker Brisket
This Crockpot brisket recipe comes together with minimal hands-on work.
Mix your brisket rub by adding all the ingredients into a small bowl. Evenly coat and rub the seasonings all over the brisket, covering all sides.
Place brisket in a skillet over medium-high heat, add oil then sear the brisket for a few minutes on each side.
Meanwhile, lightly spray non-stick spray on the base of a slow cooker. Pour beef broth, BBQ sauce, honey, Worcestershire and garlic and whisk it together. Sprinkle in the sliced onion and carefully transfer the seared brisket to the slow cooker.
Set the slow cooker on LOW for 6-8 hours. Carefully flipping it around the 4-hour mark if you can; you can baste it with some of the juices as well.
Once cooked, anywhere between 190-205F, shut the slow cooker off with the lid on and rest for 15 minutes. Alternatively, if you are going to remove and slice your brisket, rest on the counter lightly tented with tinfoil.
Slice across the grain or pull with 2 forks.
Hint: It is best to allow the brisket to come to room temperature for about 1 hour prior to cooking.
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How to Store This Easy Slow Cooker Brisket
Here are some ways to store leftovers from this BBQ beef brisket.
- Refrigerator: Once cooled, place in an airtight container for up to 4 days. I like to store it within the juices for extra tender leftovers.
- Freezer: For the freezer, I do the same as fridge (leaving room for expansion) and store for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Thaw in the fridge overnight and warm slices in a baking dish covered with foil at 300F with juices or over the stovetop on medium-high heat for a light sear.
What to Serve with Slow Cooker Brisket
Here’s a list of serving ideas for your slow cooker brisket— a mix of classic comfort foods and sides that pair well with tender, saucy brisket.
- Dinner Ideas: Idahoan mashed potatoes, potato salad, baked mac and cheese, cornbread, sautéed green beans, roasted carrots, creamy coleslaw, garlic bread, roasted cauliflower, maple Brussels sprouts.
- Next day meals: Brisket tacos, brisket sliders, brisket quesadillas, brisket grilled cheese, brisket mac and cheese, baked brisket nachos, brisket breakfast hash.
Top Tips
Here are some of our best tips to help you make the best brisket recipe.
- Get the Right Cut: Use the right cut of meat, it makes all the difference. A flat cut is great for uniform thick slices, while a second cut has more marbling for a tender brisket.
- Keep the Fat Side Up: The layer of fat bastes the meat during the long-time cooking process.
- Don’t Rush: The best way to get fork tender brisket is to cook it over a long period of time at a low temperature.
- Sear First: Browning over high heat locks in flavor before the low setting cook.
- Rest Before Slicing: Resting on the cutting board keeps the juices in the meat when slicing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Easy Slow Cooker Brisket
Do you have questions about making our easy slow cooker brisket?
The first cut (flat cut) is leaner and slices neatly, while the second cut has more marbling for a juicier tender brisket.
Yes. Sear with the sauté function, add liquid, then cook on high pressure for 90 minutes, followed by a natural release.
Trim only if it's more than ¼ inch thick, since you want a layer of fat to keep the brisket moist.
Check internal temperature — 190F-205F is ideal for shredding; 180F-190F for slicing.
Try brisket tacos, brisket sliders, or stir into chili for a rich and smoky flavor.
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Slow Cooker Brisket
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Baking Sheet
- Whisk
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
BRISKET RUB:
- 1 ½ tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon cayenne
- 3-4 pound brisket
- 3 tablespoon vegetable oil
SLOW COOKER:
- 1 cup beef broth low sodium
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ½ tablespoon garlic minced
- 2 small yellow onions sliced thin
Instructions
- Mix your brisket rub by adding all the ingredients into a small bowl. Evenly coat and rub the seasonings all over the brisket, covering all sides.
- Place brisket in a skillet over medium-high heat, add oil then sear the brisket for a few minutes on each side.
- Meanwhile, lightly spray non-stick spray on the base of a slow cooker. Pour beef broth, BBQ sauce, honey, Worcestershire and garlic and whisk it together. Sprinkle in the sliced onion and carefully transfer the seared brisket to the slow cooker.
- Set the slow cooker on LOW for 6-8 hours. Carefully flipping it around the 4-hour mark if you can; you can baste it with some of the juices as well.
- Once cooked, anywhere between 190-205F, shut the slow cooker off with the lid on and rest for 15 minutes. Alternatively, if you are going to remove and slice your brisket, rest on the counter lightly tented with tinfoil.
- Slice is across the grain or pull with 2 forks.
Notes
- It is best to allow the brisket to come to room temperature for about 1 hour prior to cooking.
- Use the right cut of meat, it makes all the difference. A flat cut is great for uniform thick slices, while a second cut has more marbling for a tender brisket.
- The layer of fat bastes the meat during the long-time cooking process.
- The best way to get fork tender brisket is to cook it over a long period of time at a low temperature.
- Browning over high heat locks in flavor before the low setting cook.
- Resting on the cutting board keeps the juices in the meat when slicing.
Nutrition
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Cara Leonard says
Love having this recipe for brisket in the slow cooker! It looks like such an easier way to cook brisket! Can't wait to try.
Eva Filer says
I hope you love it. It is great for game-day when we all want to be in the living room and not the kitchen! Happy cooking.
Eva Filer says
We love making this brisket for a meal that feels like a lot of work but is quite easy to do. Perfect for lazy Sundays, with lots of leftovers!