Slow-Cooked Beef Brisket

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 9 hours
🍽 Serves: 8
★★★★★
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If you’re looking for a melt-in-your-mouth, flavor-packed main dish, this slow-cooked beef brisket is your answer. With its tender texture and rich, savory sauce, it's perfect for cozy dinners or impressing guests without the stress.

Ingredients for Slow-Cooked Beef Brisket

The star of the show is the beef brisket, which becomes tender and flavorful after slow cooking. Olive oil helps sear and lock in the juices, while salt and black pepper form the base seasoning. Paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder add complexity and depth to the meat.

The beef broth and Worcestershire sauce create a rich umami base for the sauce. Apple cider vinegar offers a tangy kick, balanced by the sweetness of brown sugar. Mustard adds a slight sharpness, rounding out the flavors. Onion and garlic infuse the brisket with aromatic goodness, while rosemary provides earthy notes. Finally, cornstarch and water thicken the sauce to gravy-like perfection if desired.

Tips & Tricks

  • For the best sear, ensure your brisket is dry before seasoning.
  • Use a good quality beef broth for a richer flavor.
  • Make sure to slice the brisket against the grain for maximum tenderness.
  • Refrigerate overnight for even better flavor—this dish is great for advance preparation.

Serving Suggestions

This slow-cooked brisket pairs beautifully with creamy mashed potatoes or buttery polenta. Add some roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad for balance. A hearty red wine or a craft beer would complement the dish nicely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cook this on high to speed up the process?
It's best to cook on low for the full 8-10 hours to ensure the brisket becomes tender and flavorful.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes, slice the brisket and store it with some of the sauce in airtight containers in the freezer for up to 3 months.
What if I don't have a slow cooker?
You can use a Dutch oven and cook it in the oven at 275°F (135°C) for about 4-5 hours.

Slow-Cooked Beef Brisket Recipe Walkthrough

Begin by rubbing the brisket with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. This seasoning will permeate the meat as it cooks. Next, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the brisket on all sides until it's beautifully browned. This step locks in the flavor and is absolutely worth the time.

Transfer the seared brisket to your slow cooker. In a mixing bowl, combine beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and mustard. Pour this flavorful mixture over the brisket in the slow cooker.

Add the onion slices, minced garlic, and a sprig of rosemary around and on top of the brisket. Cover the slow cooker and set it on low. Let it cook gently for 8 to 10 hours. You’ll know it’s done when the brisket is fork-tender.

Once cooked, carefully remove the brisket from the slow cooker and let it rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. This rest period allows the juices to redistribute. If you want to thicken the sauce, mix cornstarch with water and stir it into the cooking liquid in the slow cooker. Let it thicken into a delicious gravy.

Slice the brisket against the grain and serve it with the gravy drizzled generously on top.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Hands-off cooking: Your slow cooker does most of the work.
  • Deep, complex flavors: A perfect balance of savory and sweet.
  • Great for meal prep: Tastes even better the next day.
  • Perfect for gatherings: Feeds a crowd with minimal effort.

Ingredients

4 lbs beef brisket
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp paprika
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 cup beef broth
1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp mustard
1 large onion, sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 sprig rosemary
2 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp water

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Season the brisket with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the brisket on all sides until browned.
3. Transfer the brisket to a slow cooker.
4. In a bowl, mix beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and mustard, then pour over the brisket.
5. Add sliced onion, minced garlic, and rosemary to the slow cooker.
6. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or until the brisket is tender.
7. Remove brisket from the slow cooker and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
8. Mix cornstarch with water and stir into the cooking liquid to thicken into a gravy, if desired.
9. Serve the sliced brisket with the gravy on top.

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