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Learn how to make this juicy, fall-apart Crock Pot BBQ Brisket for a crowd pleasing meal! It is packed with smoky BBQ flavors and is so tender that it melts in your mouth. It takes 10 minutes to prep and the slow cooker does the rest!
Once you make this Crock Pot Brisket Recipe, you will see just how amazing this meal is. I love meals that I can toss in the Slow Cooker and go about my day. It takes me about 10 minutes to gather the ingredients and toss into the crock pot.
The meat is so flavorful from being slow cooked all day. Come home to dinner ready and waiting for the best meal. This meat is so versatile that it can be used in many recipes. It makes the perfect Father’s Day Dinner Idea or for Game Day Parties!
What's in this post: Crock Pot BBQ Brisket
Why Make Brisket in the Crockpot?
You will love making Beef brisket in the crockpot. The brisket slow cooks and transforms into juicy, pull-apart perfection making it so tender! This fool-proof method allows for the slow cooker to lock in the moisture while keeping temperatures steady.
Shred or slice the crockpot brisket and serve it with your favorite side dishes for a complete meal idea.
What is Beef Brisket?
Brisket refers to a cut of beef that is from the lower chest portion. It is typically smoked to get that amazing flavor.
This tough cut of meat is ideal for slowly cooking until tender. Slow Cooking is easy, but if you are short on time, try making Instant Pot Beef Brisket Recipe.
Pick up some meat at the grocery store and save money and time. If I spot one on sale, I always grab it for the freezer.
Ingredients
- Beef Brisket – Choose a flat-cut with good marbling for the juicies, most tender results
- Paprika – Adds subtle smokiness. If you are out, see Best Paprika Substitute
- Salt & Pepper – Go generous for rich, beefy flavor
- Brown Sugar – Adds perfect amount of sweetness
- Worcestershire Sauce – Deepens the savory and bold flavor. If you are out, see The Best Worcestershire Sauce Substitutes
- Chili Powder – Adds warm, mild kick that pairs perfectly with the BBQ vibe. You can even add in a ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper if you want it spicier
- Cumin – Helps to tie the spice blend together by adding earthy & aromatic flavor
- BBQ Sauce – Use your favorite or you can make Homemade BBQ Sauce
Scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe and ingredients.
How to Make Brisket in the Crock Pot
Step 1 – Place all the ingredients in a 6 quart crock pot. We place the brisket fat side down. You can also add in some fresh onions or onion powder and garlic powder.
Step 2 – Cover and cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 5 hours. Remove brisket from slow cooker and place on a cutting board.
Step 3 – Shred and Enjoy – Then shred the brisket and it’s ready to enjoy! We like to pour more BBQ Sauce on top when serving.
Slow Cooker BBQ Brisket (Fall-Apart Tender & Juicy)
Ingredients
- 4 lbs beef brisket
- 1 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp pepper
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tablespoons Chili Powder
- 2 tsp Cumin
- 2 cups BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a 6 quart crock pot.
- Cover and cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 5 hours.
- Then shred the brisket and it's ready to enjoy!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Facts
Pro Tips
- Don’t Overcook – Make sure to not overcook as your brisket can turn mushy or tough.
- Low Heat – We like to cook out meat on low. Brisket seems to cook better on low.
- Let Meat Rest – Before shredding meat, let meat rest to lock in the juices and retain the moisture. Cutting meat to early will result in dry meat.
- Slice the Brisket – Instead of shredding the beef, you can slice in thinly slice pieces.
How to Tell when Brisket is Done
When cooking Brisket in the slow cooker the results should be fork-tender brisket. Your brisket should be able to slice as well as shred if you prefer.
- Fork Test – If the brisket edges can easily be shredded then your brisket is done. We recommend you tongs to hold up your brisket. If it keeps it shape then, your brisket is done.
- Meat Thermometer – When cooking meat, we recommend to have a meat thermometer. This ensures your meat is cooked to the right temperature. When you test your brisket it should show an internal temperature between 195 degrees to 215 degrees.
It is possible to overcook your Brisket in a Slow Cooker. If you leave your brisket in the slow cooker to long it could result in mushy, tasteless meat.
Serving Suggestions
Shredded BBQ Brisket is delicious in a variety of ways. We often times make BBQ Brisket Sandwiches with a side of Easy Homemade French Fries, Lazy Day Crock Pot Baked Beans Recipe, Traditional Potato Salad Recipe or Instant Pot Twice Baked Potatoes Casserole.
We have even made Crock Pot Baked Potatoes when we have are have a game day party! Everyone can add their favorite topping for the perfect way to feed a crowd.
Brisket goes with so many side dishes so the ideas are really endless. See What to Serve with Brisket for more ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is super easy to make ahead of time and the flavor is even better.
This is a great way to save time if you plan to make this for a party. Just cook as normal and store in the fridge. Make sure to use an airtight container and it will last up to 3 days.
We almost always use the slow cooker entirely. However, if you need to finish the brisket in the oven you can.
Some prefer the outside golden brown and you can finish cooking in the oven to achieve this if desired. Place brisket in a baking dish and finish cooking in a preheated oven of 350 degrees. This Slow cooked brisket oven option only takes a few extra minutes.
Freeze the brisket inside a freezer airtight container for up to 2 months. You can use a container or freezer bag. It is also a good idea to wrap the meat in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before placing inside the bag. This will keep it fresh in the freezer.
When you are ready to eat, allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight.
I love having leftover brisket because it reheats nicely. However it can really dry out if you are not reheating it correctly. See How to Reheat Brisket the best way.
More Easy Brisket Recipes
Easy Slow Cooker
Slow Cooker Red Wine Beef Brisket
Quick and Easy Instant Pot
Instant Pot Brisket
Easy Slow Cooker
Slow Cooker Brisket Tacos Recipe
If you make this Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Brisket Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review. We love to hear from you!
do i have to cook with bbq sauce?
No you don’t have to.
I liked how you could still slice it! So tender!
Awesome recipe!
Thank you!
we will try this and compare with smoked brisket…this sounds delicious….any suggestions on a BBQ sauce?…my wife and i cannot wait to taste this recipe!
Any type of BBQ sauce would work great for this recipe. I love making mine own. Here is the recipe – https://www.eatingonadime.com/homemade-barbecue-sauce/. Thanks!
Do you add water to the crock pot ?
If I wanted to cook in 8 hours, should I keep on high for the full 8 hours in slow cooker?
I would cook on low for 8 hours. Thank you.
Do you cook it for 10 hours on low? Can you cook it for 5 hours on high?
You can but I prefer to cook on low as it’s generally more tender when cooked on low. Thank you!
You mentioned thawing the meat if shredding is preferred… if slicing is preferred, do I place meat in crock pot frozen?
Thank you
Yes, you can and I would extend the cooking time. Thank you.