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Nothing beats the rich, smoky-sweet flavor of crockpot beef brisket—a melt-in-your-mouth dish that’s as effortless as it is impressive. This recipe transforms a simple cut of beef into a tender, juicy masterpiece with a bold spice rub, homemade barbecue sauce, and low-and-slow cooking.
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Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 9 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 9 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 8-10
Why You’ll Love Making It
- Effortless Yet Impressive: This slow cooker brisket requires minimal effort but delivers restaurant-quality results, making it perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.
- Mouthwatering Flavor: The homemade spice rub and barbecue sauce create layers of rich, smoky, and slightly sweet flavors that melt into the meat as it slow-cooks.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare it in advance and reheat it easily, making it an ideal dish for stress-free entertaining.
- Juicy & Tender Every Time: Cooking brisket low and slow ensures it turns out incredibly tender—no guesswork needed!
- Versatile Leftovers: Enjoy it as a main dish, in sandwiches, tacos, or even as a topping for baked potatoes!
Ingredients
- 4-5 pounds beef brisket – Trimmed of excess fat for a leaner, juicier result.
- 1 cup water – Helps create a flavorful cooking liquid.
- 1 tablespoon beef bouillon – Enhances the meaty richness of the brisket.
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce – Adds deep umami flavor.
- 1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce – Balances the flavors and enhances tenderness.
- ½ cup homemade barbecue sauce – Recipe below; this infuses the meat with a delicious smoky-sweet flavor.
- 2 tablespoons paprika – Adds color and mild sweetness.
- 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar – Provides a slight caramelization.
- 1 tablespoon chili powder – Brings warmth and mild heat.
- 2 teaspoons EACH: garlic powder, salt – Essential seasoning for depth of flavor.
- 1 teaspoon EACH: onion powder, chipotle powder, black pepper – Smoky, savory, and slightly spicy.
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme – Subtle herbal note.
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) – Adds a kick of heat.
- 1½ cups ketchup – Base for the sauce, slightly tangy and sweet.
- ⅓ cup molasses – Gives deep sweetness and richness.
- ⅓ cup packed brown sugar – Enhances sweetness and balances acidity.
- ¼ cup seedless blackberry preserves – Unique addition for a subtle fruity depth.
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar – Provides acidity to balance the sweetness.
- 1 tablespoon reserved Spice Rub – Ties the flavors together.
- 1 tablespoon mesquite liquid smoke (optional) – For that classic smoky barbecue flavor.
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Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Brisket
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Trim excess fat from the brisket. If the brisket is too long to fit in the slow cooker, slice it in half. In a small bowl, whisk together the Spice Rub ingredients. Set aside 1 tablespoon for the barbecue sauce. Rub the remaining spice mixture evenly all over the brisket, pressing it into the meat for maximum flavor.Place the brisket on the prepared baking sheet and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes (or refrigerate overnight for deeper flavor).
Step 2: Sear the Brisket
Bake uncovered for 30 minutes. This helps develop a beautiful crust and enhances flavor. While the brisket is searing, prepare the barbecue sauce by whisking all the sauce ingredients together in a bowl. Remove ½ cup of the barbecue sauce and set it aside for the slow cooker.
Step 3: Slow Cook the Brisket
Spray the slow cooker (at least 6-quart size) with non-stick cooking spray. Add 1 cup water, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon beef bouillon, and the reserved ½ cup barbecue sauce to the slow cooker. Whisk to combine. Using tongs, carefully transfer the seared brisket to the slow cooker. The meat may not be fully submerged in liquid—this is okay. Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours. Flip the brisket halfway through. If it’s not fork-tender, cook for an additional hour.
Step 4: Broil for Caramelization
Once tender, transfer the brisket to a foil-lined baking sheet. Brush the brisket with barbecue sauce and broil in the oven for 5-10 minutes until slightly caramelized. Meanwhile, warm the remaining barbecue sauce in a saucepan or microwave.
Step 5: Slice & Serve
Brush the brisket again with barbecue sauce before slicing against the grain into thin strips. Serve with extra barbecue sauce on the side. Enjoy it on its own, in sandwiches, or as part of a hearty meal!
FAQs
Can I cook this on HIGH instead of LOW?
Yes, but it won’t be as tender. Cooking brisket on HIGH for 5-6 hours can work in a pinch, but LOW and slow (8-10 hours) is best for the most tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
What if my brisket is still tough after cooking?
If the brisket isn’t tender, it just needs more time! Brisket is a tough cut of meat that needs to break down slowly. Keep it in the slow cooker for another 1-2 hours on LOW, and check again.
