Crock Pot BBQ Beef Brisket

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 06/24/21
Brisket beef bbq
Diana Rattray
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 9 hrs
Total: 9 hrs 10 mins
Servings: 6 to 8 servings
Yield: 1 brisket

This easy crock pot beef brisket makes fabulous sandwiches. Shred the tender brisket and add barbecue sauce for a delicious meal. The brisket would make a great rainy day barbecue, and the slow cooker makes it a snap to prepare and cook.

The brisket is marinated overnight with seasonings and liquid smoke, so plan accordingly.

If you're making brisket for a crowd, allow about 1/2 pound per person. If you want leftovers, add a few pounds. The recipe is easily doubled for a party or tailgating. 

We served the brisket with homemade baked beans and coleslaw. See the tips and variations for a basic homemade barbecue sauce and some other ideas.

This is the only slow cooker brisket recipe you'll need.

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Ingredients

  • 3 to 4 pounds ​beef brisket (not corned beef)

  • 1/4 cup liquid smoke

  • 1/2 teaspoon celery salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

  • Prepared barbecue sauce, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Sprinkle the beef brisket with liquid smoke and seasonings. Do not trim the fat; it will keep the beef moist and succulent.

  2. Wrap the beef in a large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Refrigerate overnight if desired.

  3. Place the foil-wrapped beef brisket in the slow cooker.

  4. Cover and cook on low 9 to 12 hours.

  5. If desired, shred the beef and return it to the slow cooker. Add about 1 cup of barbecue sauce and continue cooking for about 30 minutes.

  6. Serve the beef brisket in toasted split buns for sandwiches or as a main course with baked potatoes or fries and coleslaw.

Tips

  • If you happen to have some leftover brisket, add it to baked beans or a hearty Brunswick stew.
  • There are so many great barbecue seasonings you might use on this brisket. Sprinkle the brisket with some mesquite seasoning or your favorite grill seasoning blend.
  • Place some sliced onions on the foil before you wrap the brisket.
  • Easy Homemade Barbecue Sauce: In a saucepan, combine 1 cup of ketchup with 4 tablespoons of molasses, 3 tablespoons of packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup of cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, a dash of cayenne pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes. 
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
657 Calories
42g Fat
0g Carbs
65g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 to 8
Amount per serving
Calories 657
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 42g 54%
Saturated Fat 17g 83%
Cholesterol 240mg 80%
Sodium 297mg 13%
Total Carbohydrate 0g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 65g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 39mg 3%
Iron 6mg 31%
Potassium 531mg 11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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