Slow Cooker Beef Brisket with BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 1.5 – 2 kg / 3 – 4 lb beef brisket
Note 1
- 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 / 110g brown sugar
packed
- 2 tsp EACH black pepper
onion powder, mustard powder
- adjust to taste re: spiciness1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Directions
- 1
- 2
Mix Rub ingredients. Rub all over brisket. If time permits, leave for 30 minutes – 24 hours in the fridge, but I rarely do this.
- 3
Combine BBQ Sauce ingredients in a slow cooker. Mix then add the brisket – squish it in if needed, like I did (see video).
- 4
Slow cook in slow cooker for 8 hours (1.5 kg / 3 lb) to 10 hours (2 kg / 4 lb). (Note 2 for pressure cooker and click here for oven)
- 5
Remove brisket onto a tray.
- 6
Pour liquid in slow cooker into a saucepan. Bring to simmer over medium high heat and reduce until it thickens to a syrup consistency (it thickens more as it cools).
- 7
Meanwhile, drizzle brisket with oil then roast in a 200C/390F oven for 15 minutes until brown spots appear. Remove then baste generously with Sauce, then return to oven for 5 minutes. Remove and baste again, then return to oven for 5 – 10 minutes until it caramelises and looks like the photos. (See note for BBQ option)
- 8
TO SERVE: Slice brisket thinly across the grain and serve with remaining BBQ Sauce. This is terrific served as a meal with sides or piled high onto rolls with Coleslaw as sliders. See Note 3 for more ideas.
Slow Cooker Beef Brisket with BBQ Sauce
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About this Recipe
Craving melt-in-your-mouth beef brisket infused with a rich, tangy BBQ flavor? This slow cooker brisket recipe delivers unparalleled tenderness and that sought-after gorgeous caramelization, all with surprisingly little fuss.
Why This Recipe Works
The magic lies in the slow cooker, which gently coaxes a beef brisket into succulent perfection. What truly sets this recipe apart is the dual cooking method: slow cooking ensures ultimate tenderness, while a strategic finish in the oven creates that irresistible, caramelized crust. The homemade BBQ sauce, which the brisket cooks directly in, builds layers of complex flavor, making every bite deeply satisfying.
What to Expect
Prepare for fork-tender beef brisket that practically melts in your mouth, enveloped in a vibrant, robust homemade BBQ sauce. The slow cooking process ensures the meat is incredibly moist and easy to slice, while the oven finish develops a beautiful, slightly crisp exterior. Each bite offers a harmonious blend of savory beef with the sauce’s complex notes, from the tang of apple cider vinegar and Worcestershire to the subtle warmth of cayenne pepper and various spices. It’s a hearty, comforting dish that truly showcases the beauty of slow-cooked meats.
Customization & Variations
Adjust the cayenne pepper in the homemade BBQ sauce to tailor the spice level to your preference. For a deeper smoky essence, you could consider adding a dash of liquid smoke, though it’s already packed with flavor. While the recipe specifies a beef brisket, other tougher cuts of beef could be slow-cooked using a similar method, keeping in mind that cooking times may vary to achieve the same tenderness.
Serving & Context
This magnificent Slow Cooker Beef Brisket with BBQ Sauce is the star of a hearty Southern-style supper, perfect for a gathering or a satisfying family meal. You can also pile the succulent, saucy slices high on slider buns for a casual, crowd-pleasing appetizer or a fun main course that everyone will adore.