Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Brisket Recipe

Slow-cooked beef brisket, infused with vibrant spices and enriched with a tangy and savory sauce, delivers tender, melt in your mouth flavor. Layers of warm beef and sweet onions create a hearty, aromatic dish perfect for any barbecue feast, leaving a remarkable lasting impression with every delectable, juicy bite truly satisfying and unforgettable.

I’m excited to share my take on a slow cooker bbq beef brisket that is one of my best slow cooker brisket recipes to try. I use 4 lbs beef brisket trimmed of excess fat, seasoned with kosher salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and smoked paprika.

I also toss in a large yellow onion sliced up and three cloves garlic minced to amp up the flavor. Next, I combine a cup beef broth, a half cup apple cider vinegar, a quarter cup Worcestershire sauce, a half cup ketchup, a third cup brown sugar, two tbsp tomato paste and a tsp of liquid smoke.

This mix not only adds zest but also lends a balance of protein and low fat content that is pretty good nutritionally. I like that its a straightforward barbeque brisket crockpot dish – perfect for those who enjoy easy and delicious slow cooker bbq beef with flavor and a tender bite.

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe for a few reasons. First, I love how simple it is to prep the brisket with just a handful of spices like salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. It makes the process feel really manageable no matter if you’re new to cooking or not.

Second, the slow cooker really does wonders with the meat. After cooking it for so long, the beef turns out so tender you can practically cut it with a fork. That slow cooking really brings out a rich flavor that I just can’t get enough of.

Third, the sauce made from beef broth, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and some ketchup gives it a perfect mix of sweet and tangy. I love that the flavor intensifies while it cooks, making each bite better than the last.

Lastly, stacking the onions underneath the meat makes the dish even better. They absorb all those delicious juices and add an extra punch of flavor that makes the whole meal really satisfying.

Ingredients

• Beef Brisket: Provides high-quality protein, rich flavor, and satisfies that hearty meaty texture.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances natural beef flavor, creating a savory, well-balanced seasoning throughout.
• Smoked Paprika: Imparts a smoky, subtly spicy note that deepens the dish’s overall flavor.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Contributes a tangy, vibrant acidity that contrasts and brightens sweetness.
• Large Yellow Onion: Offers fiber, essential vitamins and a natural subtle sweetness when slow cooked.
• Garlic: Adds robust flavor and aroma while also promoting healthy immune benefits.
• Brown Sugar: Balances spices with its sweet and caramel-like richness in the sauce.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Infuses complex umami tang that elevates the slow-cooked intensity.
• Garlic Powder: Enhances meat seasoning with warm, earthy tones that meld beautifully with other spices.

Ingredient Quantities

• 4 lbs beef brisket, trimmed of excess fat
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional for a bit of heat)
• 1 large yellow onion, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp liquid smoke

How to Make this

1. Pat the beef brisket dry and mix together the kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl before rubbing it all over the brisket.

2. Slice the large yellow onion and place the slices on the bottom of your slow cooker so they form a nice bed for the meat.

3. Lay the seasoned brisket over the onion slices in the slow cooker and sprinkle the minced garlic evenly on top.

4. In another bowl, stir together beef broth, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, tomato paste, and liquid smoke until well combined.

5. Pour the mixed sauce over the brisket and onions making sure not to wash off the dry rub from the meat.

6. Cover your slow cooker and set it on low. Let it cook for 8 to 10 hours until the brisket is really tender and falling apart.

7. Check on it occasionally and if needed, spoon some of the sauce over the brisket to keep it moist during the slow cooking process.

8. Once its done cooking nicely, remove the brisket from the slow cooker and let it rest for a few minutes so the juices redistribute.

9. Slice the brisket against the grain to keep it tender and serve it with the onions and extra sauce from the cooker.

10. Enjoy your slow cooked BBQ beef brisket and feel free to splash on a bit more sauce if you need extra flavor!

Equipment Needed

1. Slow cooker big enough to hold a 4 lb brisket and all the ingredients
2. A small bowl for mixing the dry rub spices
3. A medium bowl to combine all the sauce ingredients
4. A sharp knife for slicing the large yellow onion and the brisket
5. A sturdy cutting board
6. Measuring spoons for the spices and liquid smoke
7. Measuring cups for the beef broth, vinegar, ketchup, and other liquids
8. A spoon to baste or stir the sauce during cooking
9. Tongs to handle the hot meat after cooking
10. A plate to let the brisket rest and have the juices redistribute afterwards

FAQ

Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Brisket Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• You can swap kosher salt for sea salt using the same amount.
• If you dont have beef broth, try using chicken broth or veggie broth instead.
• Instead of apple cider vinegar, white vinegar with a little sugar can work pretty well.
• If Worcestershire sauce isn’t in your pantry, a mix of soy sauce and a splash of red wine vinegar makes a decent stand-in.
• No liquid smoke? Crank up the smoked paprika a bit to get that smoky flavor you’re after.

Pro Tips

1. Let the brisket rest after you take it out of the slow cooker for at least 5-10 minutes so the juices can settle in, this makes it way more tender when you’re slicing it.
2. If you can, sear the brisket in a pan first to lock in more flavor before you slow cook it, it gives the meat a nice crust that really amps up the taste.
3. Every once in a while, spoon some of the sauce over the meat while it cooks to keep it from drying out and to make sure the flavors really soak in.
4. Play around with the spice mix a bit; sometimes adding a little extra garlic powder or onion powder can really boost the taste, but dont go overboard so you dont lose the natural beef flavor.