Slow Cooker Brisket

This easy slow cooker brisket with Homemade BBQ Sauce comes out so tender and juicy! Serve this hands-off dinner sliced or shredded for a delicious way to meet your protein goals!

I grew up in Texas, where Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread and beef brisket with extra Barbecue Sauce is an everyday meal.

Of course, I didn’t realize how much I took brisket for granted until I moved away…and discovered that few restaurants had brisket on their menu.

So, I went out to find an awesome recipe for a brisket that reminded me of what I had growing up for Sunday supper, with one small exception – I wasn’t going to stand at the grill for hours!

What is the best way to cook brisket?

This melt-in-your-mouth brisket cooked in a slow cooker gets my vote! It’s hands-off, tender, juicy beef that’s smothered in tangy BBQ sauce that cooks along with the meat!

EASY SLOW COOKER BRISKET

The first time I made this easy slow cooker brisket recipe, I fell in love!

• No oven required. This recipe for a brisket cooks in the slow cooker, meaning it’s 99% hands-free.
• The meat comes out soft, tender, and juicy. A perfect comfort food!
• Prep ahead. Get everything ready the night before.
• The Homemade BBQ Sauce cooks alongside the meat.
• Basic, simple, everyday ingredients (nothing fancy).
• Can be doubled or tripled (as long as your slow cooker is big enough!).

Slow cooker brisket is also a great option for meal prep or for feeding a crowd!

INGREDIENTS FOR SLOW COOKER BEEF BRISKET

The ingredients for this slow cooker beef brisket recipe are staples you’ll find in almost any pantry:

• Meat: Beef brisket OR chuck roast
• Spice mixture: Kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano
• Vegetables: Onion and garlic
• Sauce: Low-sodium beef broth (or chicken stock), soy sauce (or coconut aminos), ketchup, cornstarch (or arrowroot powder), and water

Note: We’re not using Worcestershire sauce or brown sugar in this recipe. I found that my dry rub doesn’t need the extra ingredients for full flavor! You could add a little chili powder or cumin if you want an extra kick.

BEEF BRISKET VS. CHUCK ROAST

Beef brisket is NOT a cheap cut of meat, so I generally swap it out for a chuck roast.

• Chuck roast is much more affordable, plus it’s usually cut into a 3-pound pot roast…unlike brisket, which I couldn’t find for under 14 pounds! And while you CAN buy a 14-pound brisket and cut it yourself and then freeze the smaller portions, it’s easier to just get a smaller cut to begin with.
• The brisket won’t be EXACT, but if you’re going to shred it or even roughly slice the meat, you won’t even notice the difference with a less expensive cut of meat.
• The best brisket will hold its shape better than chuck roast, so if you want to cut thin slices, splurge on brisket. If you want to shred it or you don’t care as much how it looks (because you’re going to tuck it into rolls or tortillas), chuck roast is the way to go.

I get my chuck roasts and other large cuts of beef from Butcher Box. Butcher Box delivers grass-fed beef, pasture-raised and organic chicken, and heritage pork directly to your front door each month. You can read my honest review of Butcher Box here, and my post on how to make Butcher Box worth the cost here!

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HOW TO MAKE BRISKET COOKED IN SLOW COOKER

Step 1. Mix the spice rub in a mug or small bowl and rub the mixture all over the meat, on all sides.

Step 2. Layer the onion and garlic in the bottom of the slow cooker.

Step 3. Whisk together the liquids and pour the mixture on top of the onions and garlic. Then add the meat with the fat side down and slow cook on LOW heat for 8 hours.

Step 4. When the meat is fork-tender, remove it to a plate and turn the slow cooker to HIGH. Whisk together the cornstarch and water, and add to the juices. Leaving the lid off, stir and the sauce will thicken.

Step 5. Finally, slice the brisket cooked in slow cooker against the grain and serve with the sauce on top!

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Leftover slow cooker brisket can also be stored in the freezer for up to three months.

SIDE DISHES FOR BRISKET COOKED IN A SLOW COOKER

When I make slow cooker brisket, I like to serve it with a whole bunch of yummy sides. My personal favorites are Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread, Caramelized Onions and Swiss Chard, and Stovetop Mac and Cheese.

These sides are also yummy with slow cooked brisket:

• Creamy Coleslaw
• Kale Caesar Salad
• Steamed Vegetables
• Mashed Potatoes
• Baked Beans
• Lemon Butter Asparagus
• Baked Potatoes

WAYS TO SERVE LEFTOVER BEEF BRISKET SLOW COOKER

After making brisket in a slow cooker, you might have some delicious leftovers. Here are ways you can enjoy a whole new meal!

• Wraps. Make brisket wraps with warm tortillas. Try this Homemade Flour Tortilla Recipe or Corn Tortillas.
• Brisket Tacos. Top beef brisket tacos with this Homemade Slaw for a bit of extra crunch, and a creaminess that pairs perfectly with the tangy barbecue sauce.
• Brisket Sliders. Pop some yummy slow cooker brisket inside Dinner Rolls and you’ve got delicious barbecue brisket sliders.
• Sandwiches. Try this Easy Bread Recipe to make beef brisket sandwiches or an open-faced brisket commercial.

MACRO-FRIENDLY RECIPE FOR A BRISKET

Brisket is a great option for protein. It is naturally on the fattier side, so you won’t need additional fat for this meal. You can also slightly lower the fat by trimming the fat cap before cooking (although this can make the meat turn out on the dry side) or skimming the fat off of the liquid in the slow cooker before thickening the sauce.

You’ll want to pair your slow cooker brisket with plenty of produce. Serve it with a complex carbohydrate like Instant Pot Quinoa or Baked Sweet Potatoes for a balanced meal, or stick with non-starchy veggies to keep it low carb.

MAKING BRISKET IN SLOW COOKER FAQS

MORE YUMMY SLOW COOKER BEEF RECIPES

• Classic Slow Cooker Pot Roast Recipe
• Mississippi Pot Roast
• Slow Cooker Osso Buco
• Slow Cooker Beef Stew
• Balsamic Slow Cooker Roast Beef
• Slow Cooker Beef Ragu
• Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff