Slow Cooker Beef Brisket with BBQ Sauce

Video above. Beef brisket slow cooked until tender, then finished in the oven to get that gorgeous caramelisation, basted with a homemade BBQ Sauce that the brisket is cooked in. Slice it and serve as part of a hearty Southern style supper or pile it up high on sliders!

Prep time: PT15M

Cook time: PT600M

Total time: PT615M

Rating

4.96 stars (665 reviews)

Keywords

beef brisket, Brisket, Slow Cooker Brisket

Ingredients

1.5 – 2 kg / 3 – 4 lb beef brisket ((Note 1))
1 tbsp olive oil ((or a neutral oil like vegetable, canola))
1 tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp paprika powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp cumin powder
3/4 tsp mustard powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 garlic cloves (, minced)
1/2 cup / 125 ml apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 cups / 375 ml ketchup
1/2 cup / 110g brown sugar (, packed)
2 tsp EACH black pepper, onion powder, mustard powder
1 tsp cayenne pepper ((adjust to taste re: spiciness))
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Cuisine

American
Southern

Steps

Mix Rub ingredients. Rub all over brisket. If time permits, leave for 30 minutes – 24 hours in the fridge, but I rarely do this.
Combine BBQ Sauce ingredients in a slow cooker. Mix then add the brisket – squish it in if needed, like I did (see video).
Slow cook in slow cooker for 8 hours (1.5 kg / 3 lb) to 10 hours (2 kg / 4 lb). (Note 2 for pressure cooker and click here for oven)
Remove brisket onto a tray.
Pour liquid in slow cooker into a saucepan. Bring to simmer over medium high heat and reduce until it thickens to a syrup consistency (it thickens more as it cools).
Meanwhile, drizzle brisket with oil then roast in a 200C/390F oven for 15 minutes until brown spots appear. Remove then baste generously with Sauce, then return to oven for 5 minutes. Remove and baste again, then return to oven for 5 – 10 minutes until it caramelises and looks like the photos. (See note for BBQ option)
TO SERVE: Slice brisket thinly across the grain and serve with remaining BBQ Sauce. This is terrific served as a meal with sides or piled high onto rolls with Coleslaw as sliders. See Note 3 for more ideas.

Nutitrion

Serving Size: 269 g
Calories: 476 kcal
Carbohydrates: 24 g
Protein: 66 g
Fat: 14 g
Saturated Fat: 5.6 g
Trans Fat: 0.7 g
Cholesterol: 198 mg
Sodium: 756 mg
Sugar: 20 g
Unsaturated Fat: 8.1 g

Reviews

Grammy on 2026-09-09 (5 stars):
Every one really enjoyed the brisket & the bbq sauce. I made it in the oven & was worried about it being done on time-but it cooked faster than I expected! Helpful to have a meat thermometer. This recipe is a keeper!
Amy Belcher on 2026-09-07 (5 stars):
Made this today with a 2.5 pound brisket. Followed the recipe exactly and turned out perfect. Will definitely make it again.
Rich on 2026-08-30 (5 stars):
This was absolutely delicious!! Highly recommend
Bianka on 2026-08-24 (5 stars):
Hello! Love this recipe. Just wanting to confirm, would I use a point end or flat brisket?
Sarah Hands on 2026-08-21 (5 stars):
Magi your recipes have never failed me I made this recipe today not ever having brisket never cooked it let alone taste it. Bloody delicious. I have for the first time ever cooked two slow cooker recipes in one week your first was the Mexican shredded chicken & now brisket. You have finally convinced me you can get flavour in a slow cooker meals.
Chris on 2026-08-19 (5 stars):
This slow cooked bbq brisket was absolutely delicious! Thanks Nagi fir another amazing recipe.
Bruce on 2026-08-08 (5 stars):
I've cooked this previously on the Weber and it was superb 😋 I'm doing the slow cooker version today as we speak, the sauce is delicious, I didn't have sugar or tomato sauce so substituted honey and tomato paste … 😋😋😋
Sam on 2026-05-18 (5 stars):
This was delicious. I think the slow cooker ended up being on for about 10hours only due to me putting it on early. We had this with roast potatoes and cheesy cauliflower and steamed veg. We will be having it again’
Ellen on 2026-04-12 (5 stars):
Have made this twice and both times it was amazing! There are only 2 of us so the first night we have brisket with Nagis smashed cucumber salad & chips, second night we have leftover brisket tacos, and third night we do like a home made Spud Bar and load the last bit of brisket onto baked spuds with salad. Such great value and a very easy to cook cut! Only hard part is smelling delicious brisket through the house for 8 hours!
Squirrel Butler on 2026-03-31 (5 stars):
Absolutely! Rub that meat as long as you can!
Pam on 2026-03-25 (5 stars):
the best slow cooker beef brisket recipe, flavor was spot on and easy to cook, can highly recommend
Lori M on 2026-03-25 (5 stars):
It turned out beautifully tender and my family loved it (especially the tasty finish)! I appreciated having the make-ahead directions; it made for a quick and easy dinner.
Eva Gerber on 2026-03-24 (5 stars):
Outstanding dish!!!
Gloria MacIntyre on 2026-03-18 (5 stars):
This is the second time I’ve cooked this and is my husband absolute favourite. Left overs, if any, make a great pie. Bbq sauce is a game changer too.
Karen Duncan on 2026-03-12 (5 stars):
I made your Brisket recipe today and it was Superb tender and rich. Its hard to please my husband especially experiences with Brisket and thinks its a tough piece of meat but one happy man.
Fay on 2026-03-07 (5 stars):
I made this before Christmas for the team at work I made it exactly as per the instructions My only issue was length of time to thicken sauce (took longer than I thought) Mind blowingly good Going to do it again right now
Jenni D on 2026-03-02 (5 stars):
I had no idea until today. Dozer will be sorely missed. I cried as I'm sure all of your followers had and will. I'm so gutted for your loss Nagi :'-( TO DOZER!!