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Slow Cooker Beef Brisket with BBQ Sauce Recipe

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4.1 from 10 reviews

Slow Cooker Beef Brisket with BBQ Sauce is a tender, smoky, and flavorful dish that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum taste. Using a well-marbled beef brisket rubbed with a savory blend of spices and slow-cooked in a rich homemade BBQ sauce, this recipe yields an exceptionally juicy and satisfying meal perfect for gatherings or comforting family dinners.

  • Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings

Ingredients

Brisket

  • 3 to 4 pound beef brisket

Rub

  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper

BBQ Sauce

  • 1 ½ cups ketchup
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

  1. Make Spice Rub and Prep Brisket: Remove the brisket from the refrigerator. In a bowl, combine the rub ingredients and mix well. Rub the spice mix evenly on all sides of the brisket with your hands. Allow the brisket to rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to let flavors infuse. For more intense flavor, prepare the rub and brisket up to one day ahead and refrigerate.
  2. Add Sauce Ingredients and Brisket to Slow Cooker: In the slow cooker, pour in all the BBQ sauce ingredients and mix them together. Place the rubbed brisket into the slow cooker and press it gently into the sauce to ensure it is well coated. Cover with the lid and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 4.5 to 5 hours until the brisket is tender.
  3. Remove Brisket and Rest: Once cooked, carefully remove the brisket from the slow cooker and place it on a baking tray. Drizzle a few tablespoons of the pan drippings over the brisket. Allow the meat to rest for 10 to 15 minutes to let juices redistribute.
  4. Simmer BBQ Sauce to Thicken: Pour the remaining cooking liquid from the slow cooker into a saucepan and simmer over medium-high heat until the sauce thickens to a glaze-like consistency.
  5. Caramelize in Oven: To create a caramelized crust, preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Place the rested brisket in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes until it starts to brown. Remove the brisket and brush it generously with the thickened BBQ sauce, then return it to the oven for an additional 5 minutes. Repeat by turning the brisket over, brushing with more sauce, and cooking for another 5 to 10 minutes or until a sticky crust forms to your liking.
  6. Final Rest and Serve: Remove the brisket from the oven and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes once again to ensure the juices are well absorbed. Slice the brisket thinly across the grain and serve warm with the remaining BBQ sauce on the side.

Notes

  • For enhanced flavor, rub the brisket and let it marinate in the refrigerator overnight before cooking.
  • Use a well-marbled brisket to ensure tenderness and juiciness after slow cooking.
  • Adjust cayenne pepper in the rub and sauce according to your preferred spice level.
  • Leftover brisket can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
  • Be sure to slice brisket against the grain to maximize tenderness.
  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 hours
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American