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Tender slow cooker beef brisket served with BBQ sauce and caramelized onions.

Slow Cooker Beef Brisket

A tender and flavorful beef brisket cooked effortlessly in a slow cooker, perfect for busy days and gatherings.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 hours
Total Time 10 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Brisket and Seasonings
  • 3 to 4 lb beef brisket (flat or point, either works) Choose depending on preference.
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika Optional but nice.
Cooking Ingredients
  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced Or 1 to 2 tsp jar garlic.
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste Or ketchup in a pinch.
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 to 2 tbsp brown sugar Optional, helps balance.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Trim the brisket a little but leave a thin layer of fat for moisture.
  2. Mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Rub it all over the brisket and let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes if possible.
  3. Put sliced onions in the bottom of the slow cooker and add the brisket on top.
  4. Stir together the broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire, brown sugar, and garlic in a bowl. Pour it around the brisket.
Cooking
  1. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, or until it’s fork tender. On high, it takes 5 to 6 hours.
  2. After cooking, rest the brisket for 15 to 20 minutes, loosely covered with foil.
  3. Slice against the grain for the most tender bites, or shred it if it falls apart.
  4. Spoon some of the cooking juices over the slices when serving.

Notes

For sandwiches, serve brisket on toasted buns with pickles and extra sauce. If the sauce is too thin, simmer to thicken. Keep leftovers in airtight containers with juices; refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.