Description
This Slow Cooker Beef Brisket is the ultimate comfort food — juicy, tender, and infused with bold, savory flavor that melts in your mouth. Perfect for easy dinners, lazy Sundays, or feeding a hungry crowd, this recipe delivers big flavor with minimal hands-on time. The slow cooking method turns a tough cut into something irresistibly soft and satisfying, and the sweet-smoky sauce makes it unforgettable. Whether you’re looking for dinner ideas, a make-ahead meal, or a hearty addition to your food ideas collection, this easy recipe is a must-try. It’s a delicious fit for quick dinner prep, comforting weekend meals, or stress-free hosting.
Ingredients
3–4 pounds beef brisket, trimmed
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 cup beef broth
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon liquid smoke
1 large onion, sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
1. Pat the brisket dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet and sear the brisket on all sides until browned.
3. In a bowl, whisk together beef broth, Worcestershire, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, mustard, tomato paste, soy sauce, and liquid smoke.
4. Place sliced onions and garlic in the bottom of the slow cooker.
5. Add seared brisket on top, fat-side up.
6. Pour the sauce over the meat, ensuring it is fully covered.
7. Cover and cook on LOW for 8–10 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours.
8. Once fork-tender, transfer the brisket to a cutting board and rest for 10–15 minutes.
9. Slice or shred the meat.
10. (Optional) Simmer leftover sauce on the stove to reduce, or thicken with a cornstarch slurry.
11. Return brisket to slow cooker or serve with thickened sauce over top.
Notes
Searing the brisket is optional, but highly recommended to enhance flavor.
Brisket tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep.
Be sure to slice against the grain for the most tender texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approx. 6 oz
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: slow cooker brisket, easy dinner, comfort food, beef brisket recipe, crockpot dinner