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Instant Pot Brisket Recipe will change how you cook brisket from now on. The pressure cooker makes it quick and easy while the meat is so tender with tons of flavor.

Close up image of BBQ Brisket in the Instant Pot with a wooden spoon.
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Instant Pot Brisket Recipe

You are going to love how amazing the brisket turns out in the instant pot! This is truly a game changer and you will start making brisket all the time once you see how easy it is.

No need to spend hours to get just the perfect flavor. The pressure cooker does all the work in just minutes but the meat tastes like it was slow cooked to perfection.

I truly could not believe how amazing this meat tasted once I tried it. Even my family could not believe I used the pressure cooker.

Close up image of BBQ Brisket in the Instant Pot with a wooden spoon.

What is Beef Brisket?

Brisket refers to a cut of meat that is beef and from the lower chest portion. It is typically smoked to get that amazing flavor.

However, we are going to show you how to get that wonderful flavor by using the instant pot!

Why Instant Pot Brisket?

Once you make this in the pressure cooker, you will see how much time it saves. You may be skeptical at first but it truly does have the best results and tastes wonderful.

It is just so tender and each bite is packed with the best flavor. The brisket is so tender that it just falls apart. It smothered in BBQ sauce to make the best meal in a variety of ways.

Ingredients needed - brisket, paprika, brown sugar, salt and pepper, worcestershire sauce, chili powder, cumin, bbq sauce, beef broth

What do I need to make Instant Pot Beef Brisket?

  • Beef Brisket
  • Paprika
  • Brown Sugar
  • Salt & Pepper
  • Worcestershire Sauce
  • Chili Powder
  • Cumin
  • Beef Broth
  • BBQ Sauce

How do I make Pressure Cooker Brisket Recipe?

  • Place all the ingredients in the instant pot. In a small bowl combine the seasoning ingredients prior to adding to instant pot.
  • Add the lid and set the valve to the sealing position.
  • Cook on high pressure for 90 minutes.
  • After the cook time, allow the pressure to release naturally 15 minutes. Then do a quick release to release the remaining pressure from the Instant Pot by moving the valve from the sealing to the venting position. Then select the cancel button.
  • Shred and Serve – Then shred the flat cut brisket and it’s ready to serve.
Close up image of BBQ Brisket in the Instant Pot before it is shredded.

How long does it take to cook Brisket in the Instant Pot?

It will depend on the size of brisket that you have. Here some recommendations based on how many pounds your brisket is.

  • 2 – 3 pound Brisket – 60 minutes on high pressure
  • 4 – 5 pound Brisket – 75 minutes on high pressure
  • 6 – 7 pound Brisket – 90 minutes on high pressure

These time are for actually cooking the brisket. This does not include the time to prepare your brisket or for the natural release.

Make Homemade BBQ Sauce:

It is optional but we love to make this Homemade BBQ Sauce for the brisket. Barbecue sauce is one of the easiest things to make. Homemade BBQ Sauce combines the ingredients of apple cider vinegar, ketchup, honey and simple seasoning.

Not only is it simple to make but this Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe is very cost effective as well. I love to have extra barbecue sauce to top our brisket with after cooking.

Close up image of BBQ Brisket in the Instant Pot with a wooden spoon.

What to serve with Pressure Cooker Brisket?

There are many options to serve with this recipe.  I really love serving this brisket sandwich with coleslaw.

It’s also great to serve with a delicious pasta salad for those summer barbecues.

Also, this crock pot brisket sandwich recipe is great to serve with your favorite vegetable side dish.  I hope you try these delicious grilled vegetable foil packets.  The vegetables taste amazing and there are no dishes so this is a win-win side dish!

See What to Serve with Brisket for more easy side dish recipes.

Close up image of BBQ Brisket in the Instant Pot.

Tips for Making Instant Pot BBQ Brisket:

  • Trim the fat – We recommend trimming the fat around the brisket before adding to the instant pot.
  • Brown the Brisket – If you prefer, you can brown your brisket in the instant pot or in a skillet on your stove. You may need to cut the brisket to fit in your instant pot.
  • Cook the Brisket the right time – Use the cooking chart, based on the size of brisket that you purchased.

Brisket Dry Rub:

Prior to adding the brisket to the instant pot, rub the brisket with the seasonings. These are easy pantry seasoning that gives the brisket so much flavor. For a garlic flavor, add in some garlic powder.

We like to combine the dry seasoning in a small bowl and then rub it on the brisket.

Close up image of BBQ Brisket in the Instant Pot.

Can I make BBQ Brisket in the Crock Pot?

Yes, you can easily make this recipe in the crock pot. Crock Pot Brisket is a great way to cook a brisket but it does take longer than in the instant pot.

Once your brisket is done, you can either slice it or shred it to serve.

Easy Instant Pot BBQ Brisket:

You will be amazed how quickly the instant pot cooks this delicious meat. The cooking time is greatly reduced by using the pressure cooker but you still get tender and flavorful meat.

This meal will be a hit with everyone. If you want to make instant pot brisket keto, just be mindful of the bbq sauce and other sauces you add.

Instant pot brisket cooking time per pound varies but we used a 4 pound beef brisket. If you use something different, your cooking time will vary.

This instant pot brisket will taste like you used the slow cooker. The outcome is tender brisket.

The electric pressure cooker makes this tender and juicy. Once you remove the brisket and cut on the carving board, you will see how tender this meat is. Yum!

How to serve BBQ Brisket:

There are many different ways to leftover BBQ Brisket. Here are some of our favorite ways to use for a second meal.

  • BBQ Brisket Sandwiches
  • Brisket Quesadilla
  • BBQ Brisket Bake Potato

We like to shred our BBQ brisket, you can also slice the brisket once it is done cooking.

Close up image of BBQ Brisket in the Instant Pot.

How to Store Leftovers:

Storing leftover brisket is easy to do. Simply place brisket and any juices and gravy in an air tight container. The brisket will stay good for up to 3 days.

The best way to Freeze Brisket:

To freeze the brisket, make sure you wrap the brisket with saran wrap first. Then, place in a freezer safe container. If brisket is stored with the gravy or sauce, it will last up to 3 months in the freezer.

How to Reheat Brisket

There are multiple ways to reheat brisket. The best ways on How to Reheat Brisket are – the oven, crock pot or on the grill.

Do not reheat in brisket in the microwave. It will dry out your meat and the microwave pulls all the moisture out of your flavorful meat.

Cooking Instant Pot BBQ Brisket is a crowd pleaser:

Cooking brisket in the instant pot is not traditionally how you prepare a brisket. Brisket is usually prepared in a smoker but that takes a lot preparation and time. We like to keep things easy at my house, so using the instant pot has saved me so much time.

We love pressure cooking this brisket recipe in the instant pot when we are having our friends and family over. It is easy to prepare and it is still full of flavor. We can also make it ahead of time.

Print the Best Instant Pot Brisket Recipe below:

Instant Pot Beef Brisket

5 from 45 votes
Instant Pot BBQ Brisket will change how you cook brisket. Pressure cooking is quick and easy while the meat is so tender with tons of flavor.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Natural Release 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings 5
Cuisine American
Course Main Course
Calories 785

Ingredients

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Instructions

  • Place all the ingredients in the instant pot.
  • Add the lid and set the valve to the sealing position.
  • Cook on high pressure for 90 minutes.
  • After the cook time, allow the pressure to release naturally 15 minutes. Then do a quick release to release the remaining pressure from the Instant Pot by moving the valve from the sealing to the venting position.
  • Then shred the brisket and it's ready to serve!

Recipe Notes

*Refrigerate the leftovers in an air tight container for up to 5 days or you can freeze the leftovers for up to 3 months.  

Nutrition Facts

Calories 785kcal, Carbohydrates 51g, Protein 78g, Fat 28g, Saturated Fat 10g, Polyunsaturated Fat 1g, Monounsaturated Fat 13g, Cholesterol 225mg, Sodium 2692mg, Potassium 1663mg, Fiber 3g, Sugar 39g, Vitamin A 2130IU, Vitamin C 2mg, Calcium 89mg, Iron 10mg

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More Easy Brisket Recipes:

Instant Pot Brisket Recipe will change how you cook brisket. The pressure cooker makes it quick and easy while the meat is so tender with tons of flavor. This Instant Pot BBQ Beef Brisket recipe is easy to make and perfect to feed a crowd. #eatingonadime #instantpotrecipes #beefrecipes #pressurecookerrecipes #brisketrecipes

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

5 from 45 votes (43 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Carrie Barnard says:

    I have tested that yet but if I tried it, I would start with just 5 minutes in the instant pot for all the flavors to combine and to make sure that the brisket is shreddable since it’s already cooked through.

  2. Carrie Barnard says:

    Yes, I cook 4 pounds of brisket on high pressure for 90 minutes with a 15 minute natural release before doing a quick release on the instant pot.

  3. Smita Panjwani says:

    Did you cook the brisket for 90 min for 4lb brisket?

  4. Kathie says:

    What about a precooked brisket?? I got one that’s not seasoned yet n wasn’t sure how to make it. Would this recipe still work with just a lot less time in the fryer??

  5. Carrie Barnard says:

    Yes, a smaller brisket would not take as long to cook through, so adjust the cooking time based on the size of your brisket.

  6. Cathy S says:

    If I have a smaller Brisket, do I adjust the time?

  7. Carrie Barnard says:

    Thanks so much for commenting! I love hearing how others are making my recipes. Enjoy!

  8. victor says:

    5 stars
    Oh how nice you actually reply to these . I wouldn’t count this as a rating really . But a comment . I generally look at several recipes before actually cooking . Most of them added onion and garlic . Since I had to go to Krogers for a few things I bought onions . So I did add onion and fresh garlic. And many used the spices as a rub . Which I did not do . Oh and I put the cooked brisket on baked potatoes with shredded cheese, butter and sour cream and parsley .

  9. Gary Buscombe says:

    Wow! Just sliced up my brisket that I cooked in our Instapot. It was great! Frozen solid I simply put it into the pot, added the ingredients per the recipe, added 15 minutes for good measure and closed the lid. Turned out more tasty and tender than the one I tried in my Big Green Egg. You won’t be disappointed—?

  10. Carrie says:

    I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing!

  11. Emma T says:

    5 stars
    Made with a 1.75 lb brisket and still came out great! Just halved most of the ingredients. I used a home made, sweet and tangy, nightshade- free bbq sauce, and substituted coco aminos for worchestire sauce. I’m AIP, so just saying this was good. Next time, I’ll try to get the full amount of brisket and cook for more people! Great experience

  12. Carrie says:

    Amanda – I would still add in the other seasonings with your homemade barbecue sauce. Also, I think the 90 minutes in the instant pot will work great with the 5 pound brisket. Once it’s done, if the brisket is not shreddable, I would reseal and cook in 10 minute increments from there until it’s the texture that you prefer. Thank you!

  13. Carrie says:

    Thanks Amanda! I hope you enjoyed it!

  14. Amanda says:

    Any suggestions would be appriciated. My brisket is 5.5lbs flat cut, and almost defrosted. I was thinking about making some homemade BBQ it has most of the same seasoning that this recipe calls for. Looking forward to your comments and suggestions!!
    Thanks,
    Amanda

  15. Amanda says:

    I’m trying this recipe tonight. I will let y’all know how it turns out, including pictures!!

  16. Carrie says:

    I would add 10 minutes to the cook time if the meat is frozen.

  17. Karen says:

    I have the same question. How much longer do I cook it in the instant pot if it is frozen?

  18. Teri says:

    If my brisket is frozen, how much longer do I need to cook it? Recipe looks great and easy too. Thx 🙂