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    Home » Recipes » Beef Recipes

    Slow Cooker Beef Brisket with Barbecue Sauce

    Published: Dec 30, 2022 by Chef Dennis Littley

    166 shares
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    • Yummly
    5 from 47 votes
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    Pinterest image for Slow Cooker Beef Brisket

    Cooking Beef Brisket with barbecue sauce doesn’t have to be difficult and you don’t need a grill or smoker. Making a delicious brisket with homemade bbq sauce takes about 15 minutes of prep, and then your slow cooker does the rest.

    sliced barbecue beef brisket on white platter

    My slow cooker recipe for beef brisket is one of my favorites because it’s a delicious and easy recipe. And seriously, who doesn’t love bbq beef brisket?

    I’ve also got an ah-mazing Oven Baked Beef Brisket if you’re looking for another way to cook up this delicious cut of beef.

    Ingredients for Slow Cooker Beef Brisket

    ingredients to make recipe

    Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make Slow Cooker Barbecue Beef Brisket. In Chef Speak, this is called the “Mise en Place,” which translates to “Everything in its Place.”

    Not only does setting up your ingredients ahead of time speed up the cooking process, it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

    Beef Brisket is a tough cut of meat with a lot of connective tissue. But hours of slow cooking will make the beef amazingly tender.

    If you are not a fan of brisket, you can make this recipe with a chuck roast or short ribs.

    How to make Dry Rub

    collage showing how to make dry rub
    • Add the spices for the dry rub into a small bowl.
    • Mix the seasonings together until well blended.

    Dry Rub Ingredients

    • brown sugar 
    • sweet paprika 
    • onion powder
    • garlic powder
    • dried oregano
    • dry mustard
    • ground cumin
    • salt
    • black pepper
    seasoned beef on white platter

    Rub the seasoning blend into the brisket. Allow the brisket to sit refrigerated with the spice rub applied for at least an hour before cooking.

    If you have time, apply the dry rub to the brisket the day before. This will let the seasonings penetrate the brisket, making a more flavorful brisket. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container while refrigerated.

    How to make slow cooker beef brisket

    collage showing how to make recipe
    • Combine the ingredients for the barbecue sauce in the slow cooker.
    • Mix the ingredients together until well blended.
    • Place the brisket on top of the barbecue sauce.
    • Cook the brisket for 8 hours on the low setting.

    *You can cook the brisket on the higher setting, which will cut the cooking time down, but the brisket will be better if allowed to cook low and slow.

    Barbecue Sauce Ingredients

    • garlic 
    • apple cider vinegar
    • ketchup
    • brown sugar 
    • onion powder
    • chili powder
    • black pepper
    • dry mustard
    • Worcestershire sauce
    collage showing how to finish bbq sauce
    • Pour the liquid from the slow cooker into a small saucepan.
    • Bring the barbecue sauce to a simmer over medium-high heat and allow the sauce to reduce until it thickens to a syrup consistency.

    The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools down. If it’s too thick, add a little water to the sauce.

    collage showing how to finish cooking recipe
    • Line a baking dish with aluminum foil and brush a light coat of olive oil on the brisket.
    • Place the brisket into a 400-degree preheated oven for 15 minutes until the brisket begins to brown.
    • Remove the brisket from the oven and slather the brisket with barbecue sauce. Return the brisket to the oven for 5 minutes. Then remove the brisket and brush more barbecue sauce onto the roast.
    • Place the brisket back into the oven and continue to roast for 5 – 10 minutes until the barbecue sauce begins to caramelize.

    Remove the brisket from the oven. Tent the brisket with foil and allow it to cool down for 15 minutes before slicing.

    sliced brisket on cutting board

    Slice the brisket into pencil width slices and serve with additional barbecue sauce.

    barbecue beef brisket sandwich

    Serve the brisket on a brioche bun for a delicious sandwich or served as slices with your favorite side dishes. If you have any leftover brisket, it will make some fantastic tacos.

    sliced barbecue beef brisket on white platter

    I promise you’re going to love my slow cooker beef brisket recipe. Not just because it’s easy, but because it’s so damn delicious!

    Recipe FAQ’s

    Can I overcook beef brisket in a slow cooker?

    You certainly can. You would have to let it cook a lot longer than recommended, but this is why I use the low setting rather than the high setting. This allows for optimum slow cooking to render your meat juicy and tender.

    Does the slow cooker brisket need to be cooked in liquid?

    Cooking brisket in the slow cooker does require some liquid for the braising process. It can be barbecue sauce, beer, wine, beef broth or any combination of those liquids.

    Do I have to flip the brisket in the slow cooker?

    The only reason to flip the brisket during the cooking process would be to have the beef coasted with the cooking liquids.

    More Delicious Slow-Cooker Recipes

    • The Best Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Ribs
    • Slow Cooker Texas Pulled Pork
    • Easy Slow Cooker Barbecue Ribs
    • Easy Slow Cooker Chinese Sticky Ribs

    Did you make this? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

    Please SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST!

    sliced barbecue beef brisket on white platter
    Print Recipe Save Saved!
    5 from 47 votes

    Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Brisket

    Cooking Beef Brisket with barbecue sauce doesn't have to be difficult and you don't need a grill or smoker. Making a delicious brisket with homemade bbq sauce takes about 15 minutes of prep, and then your slow cooker does the rest.
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time8 hrs 30 mins
    Total Time8 hrs 45 mins
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 650kcal
    Author: Chef Dennis Littley

    Equipment

    • slow cooker

    Ingredients

    Brisket

    • 4 lb beef brisket weight will vary and can be 3-5 pounds
    • 1 tbsp olive oil

    Dry Rub

    • 1 tbsp light brown sugar packed
    • 2 tsp sweet paprika smoked paprika can be used for a smokier flavor.
    • 1 tsp onion powder
    • 1 tsp garlic powder
    • 1 tsp dried oregano
    • 1 tsp dry mustard
    • ½ tsp ground cumin
    • 1 tsp salt
    • ½ tsp black pepper

    Barbecue Sauce

    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
    • 1 ½ cups ketchup
    • ½ cup light brown sugar packed
    • 2 tsp onion powder
    • 2 tsp chili powder
    • 1 tsp black pepper
    • 1 tsp dry mustard
    • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
    US Customary – Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    Dry Rub

    • Add the spices for the dry rub into a small bowl.
    • Mix the seasonings together until well blended.

    Brisket

    • Rub the seasoning blend into the brisket. Allow the brisket to sit for at least an hour.
      If you have time, apply the dry rub to the brisket the day before. This will let the seasonings penetrate the brisket.

    Barbecue Sauce

    • Combine the ingredients for the barbecue sauce in the slow cooker. Mix the ingredients together until well blended.
    • Place the brisket on top of the barbecue sauce.
    • Cook the brisket for 8 hours on the low setting.
      You can cook the brisket on the higher setting, which will cut the cooking time down, but the brisket will be better if allowed to cook low and slow.
    • Remove the brisket from the cooker and place on a tray or cutting board.
    • Pour the liquid from the slow cooker into a small saucepan.
    • Bring the barbecue sauce to a simmer over medium-high heat and allow the sauce to reduce until it thickens to a syrup consistency.
      The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools down. If it's too thick, add a little water to the sauce.
    • Brush or drizzle a light coat of olive oil on the brisket.
    • Place the brisket into a 400-degree preheated oven for 15 minutes until the brisket begins to brown.
    • Remove the brisket from the oven and slather the brisket with barbecue sauce.
    • Return the brisket to the oven for 5 minutes. Then remove the brisket and brush more barbecue sauce onto the roast.
    • Place the brisket back into the oven and continue to roast for 5 – 10 minutes until the barbecue sauce begins to caramelize.
    • Remove the brisket from the oven. Tent the brisket with foil and allow it to cool down for 15 minutes before slicing.
    • Slice the brisket into pencil width slices and serve with additional barbeuce sauce.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 650kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 64g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 187mg | Sodium: 1227mg | Potassium: 1298mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 847IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 7mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askChefDennis or tag #askChefDennis!

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    About Chef Dennis

    Picture of Chef Dennis

    Chef Dennis is a semi-retired Chef, writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of A Culinary Journey with Chef Dennis aka Ask Chef Dennis®. Chef Dennis worked professionally in White Table Cloth Restaurants for 40 years and has been developing easy to make, restaurant-style recipes since 2009. The second phase of his reinvention from chef to blogger has earned him a place at the Worlds Dinner Table. Join him on his Culinary Journey enjoying his easy to make Restaurant Style recipes and travel adventures. For more details, check out his About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Moop Brown

      January 29, 2023 at 9:51 pm

      5 stars
      I appreciated how straightforward and easy to understand this recipe is. I’m also a big BBQ fan and I have to say this brisket was incredible!

      Reply
    2. Ashley

      January 29, 2023 at 7:24 pm

      5 stars
      Ooh I’ve never thought of making a brisket in a slow cooker! Such a great idea! This looks amazing.

      Reply
    3. Natalia

      January 29, 2023 at 5:02 pm

      5 stars
      This is the only recipe I use for Beef Brisket. I did not used chili powder, but the other seasonings add just the right amount of flavor! Thank you for a wonderful recipe!

      Reply
    4. Jamie

      January 29, 2023 at 6:44 am

      5 stars
      Wow! This beef recipe is a masterpiece, it was absolutely delicious! Also, I love food that cooks slowly as it gets the best taste out of it!

      Reply
    5. Ksenia

      January 28, 2023 at 9:03 pm

      5 stars
      Very well seasoned and the texture was great! I am excited about leftovers

      Reply
    6. Nicole

      January 28, 2023 at 8:59 pm

      5 stars
      Chef Dennis, your beef recipes never disappoint! I absolutely love that this brisket is made in the slow cooker. Makes it great for winter when I can’t get to the bbq, and also great for potlucks!

      Reply
    7. Marie B

      January 27, 2023 at 6:09 am

      5 stars
      This brisket was delicious, and I love all the different meals I can make out of it. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    8. Claire

      January 27, 2023 at 2:48 am

      5 stars
      My brisket couldn’t have come out better, my family loved it!

      Reply
    9. Mikayla

      January 26, 2023 at 11:47 pm

      5 stars
      My family absolutely loved this, my toddler was licking his fingers and asking for more!

      Reply
    10. Gloria

      January 23, 2023 at 9:39 am

      5 stars
      I love a great brisket on the bbq, but that is not always possible. Cooking it in the slow cooker was the next best thing. It was actually much easier and the results were delicious.

      Reply
    11. Captain O

      January 14, 2023 at 8:59 am

      5 stars
      enjoying your recipes and the simple to follow cooking and serving instructions… beef brisket tomorrow – GO BIG BLUE !!

      Reply

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