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
Massage the rub onto both sides of the brisket
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
Mix the ingredients for the broth in a bowl
slow cooker with a brisket covered in sliced onions and broth
Pour broth mixture over the brisket and onions

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.

cooked brisket on a plate

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

slow cooker with broth

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.

sliced brisket with carrots and potatoes
3 small bowls filled with kosher salt

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.

4.8 from 82 reviews
Featured Review

Everyone LOVED this recipe, and said it was the best brisket they’ve ever had. I was in a hurry so I cooked 2.5 lbs of brisket on high in the slow cooker for 6 hours and it was still perfectly tender. I also flipped the brisket halfway through the cooking time. Next time I’ll also add potatoes and carrots!

Mikaela B.
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sliced brisket with carrots and potatoes and a serving fork on a platter

Slow Cooker Brisket (Fall-Apart Tender!)

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 82 reviews
  • Author: Laney Schwartz
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 hours
  • Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Slow cooker
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

Description

This easy and delicious Slow Cooker Brisket will melt in your mouth and fall apart on the plate! It can be made in your slow cooker, pressure cooker or oven!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 1/2 pound beef brisket (not corned beef)
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 4 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1 onion (sliced)
  • 2 cups low sodium beef broth
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or coconut aminos) 
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)
  • 3 tablespoons cold water

Instructions

Slow Cooker Instructions

  1. In a small bowl mix together the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano. Rub the spice mixture all over the brisket on both sides, then place the brisket in a slow cooker, fat side up. Sprinkle the minced garlic over the brisket and top with the sliced onions, on and around it.
  2. In a medium bowl whisk together the broth, soy sauce, and ketchup. Pour into slow cooker until the brisket is just covered.
  3. Cook on LOW for 8 hours. Once done cooking, either keep in the slow cooker on WARM, or transfer to a wood board and cover with foil and let rest for 20 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile, whisk together the arrowroot powder and 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.
  5. Slice the meat against the grain and serve with sauce on top. 

Instant Pot Instructions

  1. In a small bowl mix together the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano. Rub the spice mixture all over the brisket on both sides and set aside.  
  2. Turn on the sauté function and add a little oil to the bottom of the pot. Sear the brisket for 2-3 minutes on each side until lightly browned. If brisket is too big to fit, you can cut in half and sear in batches (this step is optional, but creates extra flavor).
  3. Turn off sauté function and place the brisket in a Instant Pot, fat side up. Sprinkle the minced garlic over the brisket and top with the sliced onions, on and around it.
  4. In a medium bowl whisk together the broth, soy sauce, and ketchup. Pour into pot until the brisket is just about covered.
  5. Cook on high pressure for 90 minutes, then let naturally release for 15 minutes and release remaining pressure. Remove brisket and let sit on wood board to rest. Press sauté function again and bring the liquid to a boil.
  6. Whisk together the arrowroot powder and water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Pour the slurry into the liquid in the Instant Pot and stir. The liquid will begin to thicken after 2-3 minutes.
  7. Slice brisket against the grain, or shred with two forks before adding back to the sauce. Keep warm until ready to serve.

Notes

  • If you plan to make this in the oven, use a baking dish covered tightly with foil or in a Dutch oven, covered with a lid. Cook at 325°F for 3 to 4 hours or until very tender.
  • You can skip the arrowroot slurry step and simply serve the brisket with the cooking liquid and it will be just as delicious!

Did you make this recipe?

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