Slow Cooker BBQ Brisket
I don’t cook red meat often, but brisket is the exception—and in our family, it’s basically a love language. My son Cole lives in Austin, which means he’s surrounded by some of the best BBQ in the country. So when he tells me this slow cooker brisket ranks right up there with his favorites, I completely gush. Coming from him, in that city? That means everything!
Our family’s ties to Austin run deep, and over the years, BBQ has become a real part of how we connect and celebrate together. This recipe captures all of that — smoky, saucy, melt-in-your-mouth brisket that shreds effortlessly and piles beautifully onto soft slider buns. And the best part? The slow cooker does all the work. Toss everything in the morning, come home to something that smells incredible, and sit down to a dinner that tastes like you fussed all day. Oh, how I love that!
The secret is low and slow. Giving this lean cut of meat time to simmer in a rich, seasoned sauce is what makes it so tender and packed with bold BBQ flavor.
If you love easy, flavor-packed slow cooker meals, these are worth adding to your rotation: Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken (which works beautifully as tacos, enchiladas, or lettuce cups), Slow Cooker Italian-Style Meatballs (delish overspaghetti squash and baked into a cheesy casserole dish), Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken, and of course, my go-to holiday brisket recipe: Slow Cooker Brisket with Carrots and Onions.
This brisket is incredibly versatile. Pile it high on soft slider buns with creamy coleslaw for the classic comfort combo. Serve it over mashed cauliflower-potatoes or with Baked French Fries or Carrot Fries. Tuck it into a warm tortilla with pickled onions and avocado for a smoky BBQ taco situation. Or keep it simple and plate it straight with roasted veggies or a yummy salad on the side…it holds its own either way. However you serve it, don’t skip the extra sauce for drizzling. Always extra sauce.
And if you’re feeling adventurous, try using any leftover brisket (instead of chicken) on my Sheet Pan BBQ Pizza!
Slow Cooker BBQ Brisket
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- 3 pounds beef brisket
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1½ cups barbecue sauce
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together paprika, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and cumin. Rub spices on brisket, coating all sides, and place in slow cooker with fat-side facing up.
- Using the same small bowl, mix Worcestershire sauce and barbecue sauce and then pour over the seasoned meat in the slow cooker. Use a spoon to make sure the brisket is evenly coated with sauce. Cover slow cooker and cook for 8 to 9 hours on low setting, or until brisket is fork-tender.
- Alternatively, if you do not have a slow cooker, place the brisket in an ovenproof baking dish with a lid, or cover it tightly with aluminum foil. Cook in the oven at 325° for 3 to 4 hours, or until tender.
- Let brisket rest for 20 minutes and then thinly slice against the grain. Spoon some of the liquid in the slow cooker over the slices, then transfer the remaining into a gravy boat and serve on the side along with your brisket.
