Description
This Slow Cooker BBQ Brisket is a tender, flavorful beef dish slow-cooked to perfection with a smoky dry rub and tangy BBQ sauce, perfect for a comforting family meal or casual get-together. The brisket is first seared for a caramelized crust, then slow-cooked with onions and a BBQ beef broth mixture for hours to develop rich taste and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Ingredients
Meat and Seasoning
- 4 pounds beef brisket (trim excess fat if desired)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- ½ tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Other Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 large onion (sliced)
- 1 ½ cups BBQ sauce (Stubb’s Sticky Sweet BBQ sauce recommended)
- ½ cup beef broth
- Parsley (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Prepare BBQ Sauce Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce and beef broth until well combined. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Make Dry Rub: In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper to create the dry rub.
- Apply Dry Rub: Pat the brisket dry thoroughly with paper towels. Massage the dry rub evenly all over the surface of the brisket to ensure full flavor penetration.
- Sear the Brisket: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the avocado oil once hot, then sear the brisket on all sides until browned and caramelized, approximately 3-4 minutes per side. This step locks in flavor and creates a delicious crust.
- Arrange Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Place the seared brisket at the bottom of the slow cooker pot. Surround the brisket with the sliced onions to add moisture and flavor during cooking.
- Add Sauce Mixture: Pour the prepared BBQ sauce and beef broth mixture evenly over the brisket and onions in the slow cooker.
- Slow Cook the Brisket: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours. For smaller briskets (around 2 pounds), reduce cooking time to 6-8 hours on LOW. The slow cooking process tenderizes the meat and melds the flavors.
- Slice or Shred the Brisket: When fully cooked, carefully remove the brisket from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Slice against the grain or shred the meat, depending on your preference.
- Combine and Warm: Return the sliced or shredded brisket into the slow cooker pot, mixing it into the sauce and onions. Let it warm through for a few minutes to absorb the juices and flavors.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the brisket with fresh parsley if desired before serving for a pop of color and freshness.
- Optional Serving Suggestion: For a tasty variation, use the brisket to make sandwiches. Add the brisket to a warm hamburger bun topped with coleslaw and pickles, and serve alongside French fries or potato chips for a classic BBQ meal.
Notes
- Trimming excess fat from the brisket before cooking will reduce grease but keep some for moisture and flavor.
- Searing the brisket is key for flavor but can be skipped if short on time, though the result won’t be quite as rich.
- Cooking times may vary depending on slow cooker model and brisket size; check tenderness toward the end of cooking.
- Leftover brisket can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Use your favorite BBQ sauce for flavor variations or adjust spices in the rub to suit your taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours 0 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
