Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Brisket

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 9 hours
🍽 Serves: 6
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Get ready to fall in love with this Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Brisket! Perfect for a cozy family dinner or impressing guests, this dish brings together the sweet and savory in a way that’s just plain irresistible.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Brisket

The star of the show is the beef brisket, a cut known for its rich flavor and tenderness when cooked properly. Honey adds a natural sweetness that complements the meat perfectly, while low-sodium soy sauce gives it a savory depth. Apple cider vinegar provides just the right amount of tang to balance the flavors. You’ll need plenty of garlic — six cloves, minced — to infuse the dish with its aromatic goodness. Onion not only adds flavor but also helps keep the brisket moist during cooking. For spices, we’ve got smoked paprika for a subtle smokiness, black pepper for a bit of heat, and salt to enhance all those flavors. If you like a bit more kick, toss in some chili flakes. Finally, a bit of water ensures there’s enough liquid for that long, slow cook, and you can use cornstarch to thicken the sauce if you like it a bit more velvety.

Tips & Tricks

  • Trim excess fat from the brisket to prevent it from becoming too greasy.
  • For more intense flavor, marinate the brisket in the sauce overnight in the fridge.
  • Use a large, sharp knife to slice the cooked brisket against the grain for the most tender pieces.

Serving Suggestions

This brisket pairs beautifully with creamy mashed potatoes or buttery polenta. For a lighter option, serve it alongside a fresh green salad with a zesty vinaigrette. And don’t forget some crusty bread to mop up that delicious sauce!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different cut of meat?
Yes, you can use a chuck roast or short ribs, but cooking times may vary slightly.
How can I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or microwave.
Is it okay to freeze the cooked brisket?
Absolutely! Freeze in portions with the sauce in airtight containers for up to 3 months.

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Brisket Recipe Walkthrough

Start by making your sauce. In a small bowl, combine the honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and minced garlic. Stir in the smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt until it’s all well mixed. Set this aside for a moment.

Next, slice up your onion and lay the slices at the bottom of your slow cooker. This not only adds flavor but also acts as a bed for the brisket, keeping it from sticking.

Now, take your brisket and rub it with the sauce mixture. Make sure to coat all sides thoroughly so every bite is packed with flavor. Place the brisket on top of the onions in the slow cooker.

Pour any remaining sauce over the brisket, and add the water. This will help create steam, keeping everything moist and tender. Cover your slow cooker and set it to low for 8–10 hours or high for 4–5 hours. You’ll know it’s done when the brisket is fork-tender.

If you like a thicker sauce, you can mix the cornstarch with a bit of water and stir it into the slow cooker juices. Cook on high for another 15 minutes to thicken up.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Effortlessly impressive — let the slow cooker do the work.
  • Rich, deep flavors with minimal ingredients.
  • Perfect balance of sweet, savory, and a touch of heat.
  • Leftovers make for fantastic sandwiches.

Ingredients

3 lbs beef brisket
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 large onion, sliced
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional)
1/4 cup water
2 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a small bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt.
2. Place the sliced onions at the bottom of the crock pot.
3. Rub the brisket with the spice mixture, ensuring all sides are well coated.
4. Place the brisket on top of the onions in the crock pot.
5. Pour any remaining sauce over the brisket, adding water to ensure there is enough liquid for cooking.
6. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the brisket is tender.
7. Optional: To thicken the sauce, mix cornstarch with a small amount of water and stir into the slow cooker juices. Cook on high for an additional 15 minutes.

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