Crock Pot Brisket Recipe

ByElena Hart
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Introduction

This Crock Pot Brisket is a tender, flavorful dish perfect for slow-cooked comfort food lovers. With a bold dry rub and a touch of smoky barbecue sauce, it’s easy to prepare and delivers delicious results every time.

The image shows several thick, juicy slices of cooked beef brisket with a browned, slightly crispy outer layer and a tender, fibrous inner texture, placed on a light wooden cutting board. Behind the meat, there are three pieces of bright yellow cornbread stacked in a small pile, showing a soft and crumbly texture. To the right side, there is a white bowl with dark brown baked beans, partially visible. A metal fork is resting near the cornbread and meat, and the entire scene is set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 4-5 pound brisket
  • 1/3 cup dry rub
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional)
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce (divided)
  • 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 Tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 Tablespoon black pepper
  • 1/2 Tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pour the beef broth into the base of a 6-quart crock pot. If using, add the liquid smoke to the broth.
  2. Step 2: In a bowl, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, chili powder, kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, black peppercorns, chipotle powder, and cayenne pepper to make the dry rub. Mix well.
  3. Step 3: Generously spread about 1/3 cup of the dry rub evenly over the entire brisket, ensuring it’s well coated.
  4. Step 4: Place the brisket into the crock pot with the fat side facing up. Brush the top of the brisket with half of the barbecue sauce.
  5. Step 5: Cover the crock pot and cook on low heat for 8 to 10 hours, until the brisket is fork-tender.
  6. Step 6: Optional: After cooking, preheat your oven’s broiler to high. Remove the brisket from the crock pot and brush it with the remaining barbecue sauce. Place under the broiler for about 5 minutes until a golden brown crust forms.
  7. Step 7: Let the brisket rest for 5 minutes before slicing against the grain using a sharp knife.

Tips & Variations

  • For extra smoky flavor, add liquid smoke to the broth, but adjust based on your taste preferences as it can be strong.
  • Swap barbecue sauce for a spicy or sweet variety depending on your preferred flavor profile.
  • If you don’t have a broiler, you can finish the brisket in a hot oven at 425°F for 5-7 minutes.
  • Serve with mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

Storage

Store leftover brisket in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm gently in the oven or microwave, covering with foil or a lid to retain moisture. You can also freeze cooked brisket for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

The dish shows two thick, square pieces of golden yellow cornbread with a soft and crumbly texture placed at the top center of a white plate. Below the cornbread are three slices of brown, juicy, and tender beef brisket with a slight sheen and visible grain lines, laid out overlapping at the bottom half of the plate. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, and in the background, there is a blurred white bowl filled with baked beans that have a rich, brown color. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a smaller crock pot?

Yes, but ensure your brisket fits comfortably with some liquid and will be fully covered once cooked. Adjust cooking times slightly if needed.

What if I don’t have liquid smoke?

Liquid smoke is optional and adds a smoky taste. If unavailable, simply omit it, and your brisket will still be delicious with the dry rub and barbecue sauce.

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Crock Pot Brisket Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 108 reviews

This Crock Pot Brisket recipe offers a flavorful and tender smoked beef brisket cooked slowly to perfection in your slow cooker. The brisket is generously seasoned with a rich dry rub, cooked with beef broth and optional liquid smoke for added smokiness, then finished under the broiler for a beautiful caramelized crust. A delicious blend of spices and barbecue sauce creates a savory, melt-in-your-mouth main dish perfect for any occasion.

  • Author: Elena
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8-10 hours
  • Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Meat

  • 4–5 pound brisket

Liquid and Sauces

  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional)
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce (divided)

Dry Rub

  • 1/3 cup dry rub (see spice mix below)
  • 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 Tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 Tablespoon black pepper
  • 1/2 Tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Add liquid to crock pot: Pour 1 cup of beef broth into the base of a 6-quart crock pot. If you are using the optional liquid smoke, add the 1 teaspoon to the broth now to infuse smokiness into the cooking liquid.
  2. Prepare dry rub: In a bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, chili powder, kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, black peppercorns, chipotle powder, and cayenne pepper. Mix thoroughly to create a well-blended dry rub spice mixture.
  3. Season brisket: Generously spread about 1/3 cup of the dry rub evenly over the entire surface of the brisket, ensuring every part is coated to infuse the meat with deep flavor.
  4. Place brisket in crock pot: Set the seasoned brisket into the prepared crock pot, placing it with the fat side facing up to allow the fat to baste the meat while it cooks. Brush about half of the barbecue sauce over the top of the brisket to add moisture and flavor.
  5. Slow cook the brisket: Cover the crock pot with the lid and cook the brisket on the low setting for 8-10 hours until the meat is fork tender and easily pulls apart.
  6. Broil to finish (optional): Once the brisket is cooked through, preheat your broiler to high. Carefully remove the brisket from the crock pot and brush the remaining barbecue sauce over the top. Place under the broiler for approximately 5 minutes, or until a golden brown crust forms, enhancing the flavor and texture.
  7. Rest and slice: Let the cooked brisket rest for 5 minutes after broiling. Use a sharp knife to slice the brisket against the grain into thin slices for serving, maximizing tenderness.

Notes

  • Using liquid smoke is optional but adds a nice smoky flavor to mimic traditional smoked brisket.
  • Broiling at the end creates a caramelized crust, but you can skip this step if you prefer a softer texture.
  • Cooking times may vary depending on your crock pot model; check for tenderness before removing.
  • Allowing the brisket to rest before slicing helps retain juices and prevents dryness.
  • Serve with your favorite sides like coleslaw, baked beans, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

Keywords: Crock Pot Brisket, Slow Cooker Brisket, Smoked Brisket, Barbecue Brisket, Easy Brisket Recipe, Slow Cooked Beef

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