Slow Cooker Beef Brisket is a tender, flavorful dish that practically melts in your mouth. Cooking brisket in a slow cooker makes it incredibly easy to achieve a delicious result with minimal effort. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making a mouthwatering beef brisket in your slow cooker.
Ingredients
FOR THE BRISKET:
- 3 to 4 pounds beef brisket
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
FOR THE SAUCE:
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- STEP 1: PREPARE THE BRISKET
- Season the Brisket: Rub the brisket all over with salt and pepper. This simple seasoning will help to enhance the natural flavors of the meat.
- Sear the Brisket: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the brisket and sear each side until browned, about 3-4 minutes per side. This step adds depth to the flavor and helps to lock in juices.
- Prepare the Vegetables: Place the sliced onion and minced garlic in the bottom of the slow cooker. This will act as a bed for the brisket and infuse it with additional flavors as it cooks.
- STEP 2: MAKE THE SAUCE
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together beef broth, ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder.
- Pour Over Brisket: Once the brisket is seared, place it on top of the onions and garlic in the slow cooker. Pour the sauce mixture over the brisket, ensuring it is well-coated.
- STEP 3: SLOW COOK
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- Cook on Low: Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, or until the brisket is very tender. The slow and low cooking process will break down the connective tissues in the meat, making it incredibly tender and flavorful.
- Check for Doneness: The brisket should be tender enough to easily shred with a fork when it’s done.
- STEP 4: SERVE
- Rest the Brisket: Carefully remove the brisket from the slow cooker and let it rest for about 10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it even more tender.
- Slice or Shred: Slice the brisket against the grain for the most tender results. Alternatively, you can shred the meat with two forks.
- Serve with Sauce: Skim any fat from the surface of the sauce left in the slow cooker. Serve the brisket with the sauce on the side or drizzle it over the top.
- Tips for Perfect Slow Cooker Beef Brisket
- Trimming the Fat: If your brisket has a thick layer of fat, trim it down to about 1/4 inch thick before seasoning. This will help to keep the dish flavorful without being overly greasy.
- Thickening the Sauce: If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can transfer it to a saucepan and simmer it on the stove with a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water) until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Making Ahead: Brisket tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld. Simply refrigerate the brisket in the sauce overnight and reheat before serving.
- Enjoy your slow cooker beef brisket with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad, for a comforting and satisfying meal.
