Description
This Slow Cooker Beef Brisket with BBQ Sauce is a tender and flavorful main dish perfect for an easy and satisfying meal. The brisket is seasoned with a blend of spices, slow-cooked to fork-tender perfection, and served with a rich barbecue sauce that enhances the smoky, savory flavors. Ideal for family dinners, gatherings, or meal prep, this recipe pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or sandwich buns.
Ingredients
Scale
Brisket and Seasoning
- 3–4 lb beef brisket (trimmed)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
Sauce and Cooking Liquid
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 1/2 cups barbecue sauce (plus more for serving)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the Brisket: Pat the brisket dry with paper towels to ensure the seasoning sticks well. Rub it evenly with olive oil, then season all sides generously with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and chili powder if using. This step builds the foundation of the brisket’s flavor.
- Place in Slow Cooker: Transfer the seasoned brisket into a 6-quart slow cooker, laying it flat to ensure even cooking.
- Mix the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the beef broth, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar. Stir until well mixed. Pour this mixture evenly over the brisket in the slow cooker to infuse it with moisture and smoky-sweet flavor during cooking.
- Cook the Brisket: Cover the slow cooker and cook the brisket on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours, until the meat is fork-tender and easy to shred. The low and slow method ensures maximum tenderness and flavor development.
- Rest the Meat: Carefully remove the brisket from the slow cooker and let it rest on a cutting board for 10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in juicier slices.
- Optional Broil for Caramelization: For an extra caramelized crust, transfer the brisket to a baking sheet, brush it with additional barbecue sauce, and broil in the oven for 3 to 5 minutes until bubbly and golden brown. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
- Serve: Slice or shred the brisket as desired. Serve with the remaining sauce from the slow cooker or warmed additional barbecue sauce. It pairs excellently with mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or sandwich buns.
Notes
- Best served with mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or on sandwich buns for a hearty meal.
- Leftovers make delicious tacos, sliders, or wraps—store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Use your favorite store-bought or homemade barbecue sauce to customize the flavor to your liking.
- Adjust the chili powder amount to control the spiciness level.
- For quicker cooking, use the high heat setting on the slow cooker but ensure the brisket becomes fork-tender.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 brisket
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
