Tender Slow Cooker Brisket That Falls Apart Every Time

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Indulge in this perfect Slow Cooker Brisket recipe with tender, flavorful results every time. This easy beef brisket cooks in just 5 hours with simple spices and barbecue sauce for authentic BBQ taste at home!

Close-up of several thick slices of slow cooker brisket with a dark, glossy layer of barbecue sauce on top, displayed on a wooden cutting board.

🥩This recipe turns an economical piece of beef into a delicious dinner that stretches your grocery budget without sacrificing flavor!

My 2 Best Tips For Making Slow Cooker Brisket
Slow Cooker Brisket Recipe
How To Make Slow Cooker Brisket
Recipe FAQs
More Delicious Beef Recipes To Try

My 2 Best Tips For Making Slow Cooker Brisket

Choose the Right Cut and Size: Look for a 3-4 pound flat-cut brisket with some marbling. Point cuts work too, but may be fattier. A brisket that’s too large won’t fit properly in most slow cookers, while smaller cuts may overcook.

Master the Broiling Finish: The final broiling step is crucial for developing that coveted barbecue crust. Watch carefully during broiling as barbecue sauce can go from perfectly caramelized to burned in seconds. Keep the oven door slightly open to monitor progress.

🩷 Melissa

This is one of those dump-and-go recipes. Simply season your beef brisket with the spice rub, place it in the slow cooker, and let it work its magic. No constant monitoring or complicated techniques required.

The slow cooking process breaks down the tough fibers in the brisket, creating incredibly tender meat that practically falls apart with a fork.

The combination of smoked paprika, brown sugar, and barbecue sauce creates an authentic barbecue taste that rivals traditional smoked brisket.

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Slow Cooker Brisket

By: Melissa Griffiths

Indulge in our perfect Slow Cooker Brisket recipe with tender, flavorful results every time. This easy beef brisket cooks in just 5 hours with simple spices and barbecue sauce for authentic BBQ taste at home!

Prep: 15

Cook: 5

Servings:

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Ingredients

Instructions

Pat your brisket dry with paper towels. Stir the brown sugar, paprika, salt, pepper, and garlic powder together.
Use your hands to rub the spice mix into the brisket until it is evenly coated. Place the brisket in the slow cooker and cook on Low for 8-9 hours or High heat for 5 hours.
After 5 hours (or 8-9 if cooked on low), transfer your brisket to an oven-safe serving dish. Brush the brisket with barbecue sauce and broil on high for about 5 minutes, or until the barbecue sauce is bubbling.
Slice, serve, and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Slow Cooker Size: 6-quart

Recipe Variations and Substitutions

Regular paprika can be used instead of smoked paprika – it will still taste delicious!
Replace the spice blend with your favorite dry rub if preferred.

Preparation Tips

Don’t trim fat off brisket before coating with spices and cooking.
No need to add liquid to the slow cooker – just coat brisket and place inside.

Serving Suggestions

Best served sliced or shredded
Pair with classic barbecue sides like baked beans, Texas toast, mac and cheese

Storage & Reheating

Store leftover brisket in the fridge for up to 4 days by wrapping in tin foil and placing in a ziploc bag or airtight container
Reheat in microwave for about 45 seconds until war.m in the middle – easier if thinly sliced or shredded.
Serve reheated brisket with extra barbecue sauce since it will dry out slightly when reheated.

Nutrition

Calories: 667kcal, Carbohydrates: 33g, Protein: 71g, Fat: 26g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 12g, Cholesterol: 211mg, Sodium: 1588mg, Potassium: 1320mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 27g, Vitamin A: 409IU, Vitamin C: 0.4mg, Calcium: 47mg, Iron: 7mg

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How To Make Slow Cooker Brisket

A raw beef brisket sits on a white plate, ready to become Instant Pot Brisket, surrounded by bowls of barbecue sauce, oil, brown spices, granulated garlic, and salt on a white marble surface.

Step 1: Combine all your ingredients and pat your brisket dry with paper towels. Stir the brown sugar, paprika, salt, pepper, and garlic powder together.

A raw cut of beef brisket on a white plate, partially covered with a reddish-brown dry spice rub, ready to become tender Instant Pot Brisket on a white marble surface.

Step 2: Use your hands to rub the spice mix into the brisket until it is evenly coated. Place the brisket in the slow cooker and cook for 5 hours on high heat.

A cooked piece of seasoned meat sits in brown broth inside a round white Instant Pot Brisket slow cooker, set on a white marble surface.

Step 3: After 5 hours, transfer your brisket to an oven-safe serving dish. Brush the brisket with barbecue sauce and broil on high for about 5 minutes, or until the barbecue sauce is bubbling.

A white plate with slices of slow cooker brisket, baked beans, and yellow macaroni and cheese, placed on a woven placemat.

Step 4: Slice, serve, and enjoy!

Recipe FAQs

Can I cook this slow cooker brisket on low instead of high?

Yes! If you prefer to cook on low heat, increase the cooking time to 8-9 hours. The low and slow method will give you equally tender results and works great if you want to start it in the morning before work.

Do I need to add liquid to the slow cooker with the brisket?

No liquid is necessary! The brisket will release its own juices during the slow cooking process, creating plenty of moisture. Adding liquid can actually dilute the concentrated flavors you want to achieve.

Should I trim the fat off the brisket before cooking?

Leave the fat on! The fat renders during cooking, keeping the meat moist and adding flavor. You can always trim excess fat after cooking if desired, but it’s not necessary before placing it in the slow cooker.