Slow Cooker Beef Brisket – The Almond Eater

March 6, 2025

2

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclaimer.

This Slow Cooker Beef Brisket recipe transforms a tough cut of beef into a mouthwatering, smoky, BBQ sauce-slathered main dish for the family barbecue. The crockpot does most of the work for you!

slow cooker beef brisket sliced on a plate with forks

While I wouldn’t call myself a carnivore, I would stop traffic to get to this Slow Cooker Beef Brisket. Rubbed in smoky spices and smothered in a rich BBQ sauce, the mouthwatering shredded beef is too good to miss.

Brisket is a big ‘ol hunk of beef that’s naturally tough, which is why we’re letting the crockpot do most of the heavy lifting here. It cooks the beef low and slow to eventually break down those chewy connective tissues and the fat. After a few hours and a quick trip under the broiler, this impressive cut of beef is super tender, beautifully caramelized, and full of rich, savory flavors.

And the key to those great flavors? A simple spice rub and homemade BBQ brisket sauce! Seriously, you can whisk both of these flavor boosters together in an instant using a few pantry staple spices and ingredients.

Pile this melt-in-your-mouth slow cooker beef brisket onto your plate next to my slow cooker pulled pork and mac and cheese, and there you have it: an award-winning BBQ dinner.

Recipe features

Cooking brisket low and slow in the crockpot turns this budget-friendly cut of beef into a melt-in-your-mouth, restaurant-worthy meal.
A mostly hands-off meal you can prep hours in advance.
A crowd-pleasing main course to pair with all of your favorite BBQ sides (coleslaw and baked beans, anyone?), serve in sandwiches and sliders, and so much more.

Ingredients

Beef brisket – Remember to pick up a brisket that will fit comfortably in your crockpot. A 3 to 3.5-pound brisket worked best for me but anything bigger may need to be trimmed or sliced into two pieces to help it fit. Just remember to leave a thin layer of fat on the meat to keep it juicy!

Spice rub – Generously rubbing a blend of garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, chili powder, cumin, and salt over the brisket infuses it with layers of smoky and slightly spicy flavors.

BBQ brisket sauce – A sauce made from beef broth, BBQ sauce, coconut aminos or soy sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and garlic is whisked together and poured over the brisket in the slow cooker to keep it moist and flavorful. Make the sauce with coconut aminos or tamari instead of soy sauce to keep it gluten-free.

Cornstarch slurry – A mixture of cornstarch and water thickens the sauce before it’s served with the shredded beef.

Instructions

Step 1: Season the beef. Combine the seasonings in a small bowl, then rub the spice blend all over the brisket. Place the brisket in your slow cooker.

2 images: the left image shows spices added to a small glass bowl and the right image shows brisket on a cutting board

Step 2: Prepare the sauce. Whisk all of the sauce ingredients together (except the cornstarch and water) in a bowl and pour the sauce over the brisket.

beef brisket added to a slow cooker with sauce poured overtop

Step 3: Slow cook. Cover and cook on low until the brisket is fall-apart tender.

Step 4: Broil. Carefully transfer the brisket to a small baking sheet. Spoon some of the sauce over the meat and place it under the broiler until the outside is slightly caramelized. Repeat this step a couple more times for an even richer caramelized crust.

beef brisket in a baking sheet with sauce poured overtop

Step 5: Thicken the sauce. Transfer the remaining sauce to a saucepan and heat it to a gentle simmer. In a separate small bowl, whisk the cornstarch and water together, then whisk this mixture into the simmering sauce until it thickens.

Step 6: Slice and serve. Slice the brisket against the grain and serve it with the sauce on the side or drizzled over top. Enjoy!

slow cooker beef brisket sliced on a plate

Tips and FAQs

Be generous with those spices! Rub and massage the spice blend all over the meat to allow those delicious flavors to soak into every inch.
And for even richer flavors, set the seasoned brisket aside for 15 to 20 minutes before covering it with the sauce. This gives the spices time to soak into the beef.
Always slice your brisket against the grain (perpendicular to the muscle fibers). It’s the key to shortening the muscle fibers and making the meat ultra-tender and easier to chew.

Tip

After cooking, let the brisket rest for at least 10 minutes. This gives its meaty juices time to settle and soak back into the meat, yielding moist and tender brisket.

Flavor variations

Remember that you can play with the ingredients in the spice rub and sauce to get those flavors just how you like ‘em. Here are some creative (and delicious) ideas to help inspire you:

Extra heat – If you love a little heat, add a pinch of chipotle chili powder, cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes to the spice rub. You can also add a splash of hot sauce to the sauce for more heat.
Cajun-spiced – Replace the spice rub with a Cajun seasoning blend for a more zesty, peppery flavor profile.
Coffee-rubbed – Add 1 teaspoon of finely ground coffee or espresso powder to the spice rub to enhance the beef’s richness.
Carolina-style – Swap the BBQ sauce for a vinegar-based mustard sauce to give the brisket a more Carolina BBQ-inspired feel.

Serving suggestions

This melt-in-your-mouth beef brisket is perfect for simple or extravagant barbecues. It’s always a hit, especially when it’s served with a few equally delicious sides. Keep it classic with a side of potato salad, mac and cheese, baked beans, and coleslaw, or go with something lighter, like braised greens or blackened corn.

Another fun way to serve brisket is in sandwiches. Stuff the shredded meat into a soft bun or a slider roll and top it with pickles and extra sauce for a tasty hand-held lunch or dinner. As for the leftovers, they’re perfect as a filling for tacos and a topping for nachos and grain bowls!

How long does it take to cook beef brisket in a slow cooker?

It takes brisket about 6 to 8 hours to go from tough to fall-apart tender in the slow cooker. You technically can cook it even faster on high heat (for about 3 to 4 hours), but this could yield tougher beef. When in doubt, go with low and slow!

How do I know if my brisket is done slow cooking?

You’ll know the brisket is done when it can be easily shredded with a fork. If you still aren’t sure, check for doneness with a meat thermometer. An internal temperature of 195ºF to 205°F is the sweet spot for juicy, melt-in-your-mouth meat. If the brisket is still tough, cook it a little longer.

Should I trim the fat off the brisket before cooking?

If there are any large, thick chunks of fat, go ahead and trim those off to prevent the sauce from becoming too greasy. You do, however, always want to leave a thin layer of fat intact to keep the brisket moist.

Storage

Refrigerator: This slow cooker beef brisket recipe tastes even better the next day! Once it’s cooled, pack the leftover meat and sauce into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Freezer: Place the sliced brisket and some sauce in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Reheating: Place the brisket back in the slow cooker or in a pot on the stovetop and reheat on low heat with extra sauce or a splash of broth to prevent it from drying out.

More easy beef dinner recipes

If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!