The most delicious, fall apart brisket that can easily be made in the slow cooker or Instant pot!

sliced brisket with carrots and potatoes and a serving fork on a platter

I have a confession.

I don’t really eat red meat. There, I said it. Are we still friends?

It’s not that I have anything against it. I’m not a vegetarian, I eat chicken, turkey and fish. It’s just that typically, red meat is not appealing to me. I would rather eat a piece of chicken or fish any day. I’ve never ordered a steak in a restaurant, and I’d choose a turkey burger or veggie patty at a BBQ. It’s just not my thing.

But I really WANT to like it! I always taste it! My husband is a huge meat eater, and so are my kids and family. So, I keep trying to woo myself.

Guess what? I think I’ve finally done it!

sliced brisket with carrots and potatoes

YOU GUYS.

This is the first time I’ve tasted meat and never wanted to stop eating it. It’s the first time I actually understood the OMG face of a true, die hard meat eater who takes their first bite of a juicy steak, or the perfect short rib, or in this case, the perfect brisket. It’s that good. The combination of spices, tangy sauce, and cooked low and sloooooooooow, (or pressure cooked nice and quick), makes this a melt in your mouth brisket that is sure to please your tastebuds. My kids even gobble this up!

Watch how to make it

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Brisket

ingredients in bowls on a grey background

Beef brisket – not corned beef, this is super important
Spices – salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and oregano
Garlic cloves – the more the merrier
Onion – adds great flavor
Low sodium beef broth – make sure it’s low sodium so it’s not too salty
Soy sauce – can also use coconut aminos or tamari
Ketchup – for a little sweetness
Arrowroot powder (or cornstarch) – this helps to thicken the sauce if you choose

I love using my slow cooker. It seriously makes the best meals with minimal prep and easy clean up. Here’s the slow cooker I use. However, I’m a big fan of using the Instant Pot as well, especially when I don’t plan ahead.

Step-by-Step Instructions

PRO TIP: Add the rub to the brisket the night before and let it sit in the fridge overnight. This helps the meat absorb all that flavor and makes for super delicious tasting meat.

bowl of spices mixed with a whisk — Add spices to a bowl and whisk together until combined

beef brisket covered in spices — Add spices to a bowl and whisk together until combined

slow cooker with a brisket covered in sliced onions — Add the spice rubbed brisket to the slow cooker with the sliced onions and garlic

broth in a bowl with a whisk — Add the spice rubbed brisket to the slow cooker with the sliced onions and garlic

Brisket Cooking Time

It’s important to cook brisket low and slow if you have the time. Meaning low heat for a long period of time, like 8 hours! The longer the better. Cooking it this way helps to gradually begin to dissolve the tough connective tissues found throughout the meat. If it’s not cooked long enough, the brisket will be tough and difficult to chew.

Once it’s done cooking, let it rest while you prepare the sauce.

At this point if you choose to reduce or thicken the sauce you can do it right in the slow cooker. Simply whisk together the arrowroot powder and cold water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Pour the slurry into the liquid in the slow cooker and whisk. The liquid will begin to thicken after 2-3 minutes.

Pour it over the sliced brisket and enjoy!

Feel free to add some potatoes and carrots to the slow cooker while cooking. We also love to serve this with Garlic Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans.

The Home Cook’s Guide to Salt

Learn about the basics of salt, plus the best salt for cooking (hint: it’s Kosher salt!) with this easy-to-understand guide to salt for home cooks.