Name: Slow Cooker Beef Brisket with BBQ Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: PT-489899H4M27S
Total time: PT-489899H4M27S
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1.5 – 2 kg / 3 – 4 lb beef brisket; 1 tbsp olive oil (or a neutral oil like vegetable, canola); 1 tbsp brown sugar; 2 tsp paprika powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp cumin powder; 3/4 tsp mustard powder; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1/2 cup / 125 ml apple cider vinegar; 1 1/2 cups / 375 ml ketchup; 1/2 cup / 110 g brown sugar, packed; 2 tsp black pepper; 2 tsp onion powder; 2 tsp mustard powder; 1 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste for spiciness); 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Ingredients

1.5 – 2 kg (3 – 4 lb) beef brisket

1 tbsp olive oil (or a neutral oil like vegetable or canola)

1 tbsp brown sugar

2 tsp paprika powder

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp cumin powder

3/4 tsp mustard powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 cup (125 ml) apple cider vinegar

1 1/2 cups (375 ml) ketchup

1/2 cup (110 g) brown sugar, packed

2 tsp each black pepper, onion powder, mustard powder

1 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

Step 1: Mix the rub ingredients—brown sugar, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, mustard powder, salt, and black pepper. Rub this mixture thoroughly all over the brisket. If you have time, let it rest for 30 minutes to 24 hours in the fridge for deeper flavor, but this can be skipped if short on time.

Step 2: In your slow cooker, combine the BBQ sauce ingredients: minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, black pepper, onion powder, mustard powder, cayenne pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well to mix.

Step 3: Add the brisket into the slow cooker, pressing it down if necessary to fit.

Step 4: Slow cook for 8 hours if your brisket weighs around 1.5 kg (3 lb), or up to 10 hours for 2 kg (4 lb), until the meat is tender and easily pulls apart.

Step 5: Remove the brisket from the slow cooker and place it on a tray. Pour the cooking liquid into a saucepan and simmer over medium-high heat until it thickens to a syrupy consistency. It will continue to thicken as it cools.

Step 6: Meanwhile, drizzle the brisket with olive oil and roast in a preheated 200°C (390°F) oven for 15 minutes until brown spots appear. Remove the brisket, baste generously with the thickened BBQ sauce, then return it to the oven for 5 minutes. Repeat the basting and roasting once more for 5 to 10 minutes until caramelized.

Step 7: To serve, slice the brisket thinly across the grain. Serve with the remaining BBQ sauce. It’s delicious as a main dish with sides or piled onto rolls with coleslaw as sliders.

Tips & Variations

For easier slicing, let the brisket rest for 10-15 minutes after roasting before cutting.

Adjust the cayenne pepper to control the heat level in the BBQ sauce.

Try serving the brisket with classic sides like baked beans, roasted vegetables, or a fresh green salad.

For a smoky flavor, finish the brisket on a charcoal grill instead of the oven after slow cooking.

FAQs

Can I prepare the brisket ahead of time?

Yes, rubbing the brisket and allowing it to marinate in the fridge for several hours or overnight can deepen the flavors. You can also assemble the BBQ sauce and slow cook the next day.

Can I use a pressure cooker instead of a slow cooker?

Yes, while this recipe is designed for a slow cooker, you can use a pressure cooker to reduce cooking time. Cooking times will vary; typically, brisket takes about 60-90 minutes under high pressure. Make sure to adjust liquid amounts as needed and follow your pressure cooker’s guidelines.