This recipe for a juicy beef brisket cooked in a slow cooker will be your new go-to for family dinners and gatherings. The tender, succulent brisket is flavored with a blend of spices and finished off with a tangy and sweet barbecue sauce that will have everyone asking for seconds. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to fully penetrate the beef, resulting in a mouthwatering dish that's worth the wait.
Most of these ingredients are probably already in your kitchen. However, if not, they're all accessible at your local supermarket. The star of the dish, the beef brisket, can be found in the meat section. For the best results, try to find a high-quality, well-marbled piece. The rest of the ingredients, such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin, and chili, are located in the spice aisle. They combine to create a rich and complex flavor profile for the beef.
Ingredients for the Juicy Beef Brisket
Beef brisket: This is a cut of meat from the breast or lower chest of the cow. It's known for its rich flavor and tender texture after slow cooking.
Garlic powder: Dehydrated and ground garlic that adds a concentrated garlic flavor.
Onion powder: Made from dried onions, it provides a sweet and savory hint.
Paprika: A spice made from ground sweet red pepper pods, adds color and a mild sweet flavor.
Salt: Enhances all the other flavors.
Black pepper: Adds a spicy heat.
Cumin: Earthy, warm flavor with a bit of both sweetness and bitterness.
Chili: Adds a spicy kick.
Olive oil: Used for its smooth, fruity flavor and health benefits.
Barbecue sauce: Sweet, tangy, and a little smoky, this sauce adds a lot of flavor.
Minced garlic: Fresh garlic adds a punch of flavor.
Brown sugar: Adds sweetness that balances the tangy barbecue sauce.
Worcestershire sauce: A fermented sauce that adds a complex savory taste.
Cayenne pepper: Brings heat to the sauce.
One reader, Adelheid Ginn says:
This juicy beef brisket recipe is a game-changer! The meat is incredibly tender and flavorful, and the barbecue sauce adds the perfect touch of sweetness and tanginess. It's a hit every time I make it, and my family always asks for seconds. Highly recommended for a delicious, satisfying meal.
Techniques Required for Making Juicy Beef Brisket
How to prepare the beef brisket: This involves seasoning the beef brisket with a mixture of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, cumin, and chili, then rubbing it with olive oil before slow cooking.
How to make the barbecue sauce: Combine barbecue sauce, minced garlic, brown sugar, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, and salt in a bowl, then use it to baste the brisket during cooking and broiling.
How to broil the brisket: After slow cooking, transfer the brisket to an oven tray, baste it with the barbecue sauce, and broil it in a preheated oven at 400 degrees F until it begins to char and crisp on the edges. Baste again and continue broiling until sticky and charred on the edges.
How to rest the brisket: After broiling, allow the brisket to rest for 10 minutes to allow the juices to recirculate back into the meat before serving.
How to serve the brisket: Slice the brisket thinly across the grain and serve with the remaining barbecue sauce.
How To Make Beef Brisket
Take out the seasoned beef brisket and cook it into perfect tenderness but instead of grilling, we are using the slow cooker. Add in some barbecue sauce!
Serves:
Ingredients
For Beef Brisket:
- 4poundsbeef brisket
- 2tspgarlic powder
- 1tsponion powder
- 2tsppaprika
- 2tspsalt
- 1tspcracked black pepper
- ½tspcumin
- 1tspchilior Cayenne powder, optional
- 2tbspolive oil
For Barbecue Sauce:
- 2cupsbarbecue sauce
- 3tbspminced garlic
- 2tbspbrown sugar
- 2tbspolive oil
- 1tbspWorcestershire sauce
- ½tbspcayenne pepperoptional for heat
- 1tspsalt
Instructions
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Spray inside of a 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Place brisket in slow cooker bowl.
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Combine seasoning ingredients together and pour over the brisket. Drizzle with oil and rub the seasoning all over the brisket.
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Mix sauce ingredients together and completely cover brisket with half of the sauce. Refrigerate the remaining sauce to use later.
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Cover brisket with lid and cook on low setting for 8 to 10 hours or high setting for 4 to 5 hours.
-
When brisket is tender, transfer onto an oven tray, lined with parchment paper or foil.
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Pour ¼ cup of juices from the slow cooker bowl into the remaining sauce. Baste brisket with sauce and broil in a preheated oven at 400 degrees F for about 10 minutes or until beginning to char and crisp on the edges.
-
Baste again and broil until sticky and charred on the edges.
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Rest for 10 minutes to allow the juices to recirculate back into the meat before serving.
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To serve, slice brisket thinly across the grain and serve with remaining barbecue sauce.
Nutrition
- Calories: 831.38kcal
- Fat: 57.77g
- Saturated Fat: 21.33g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 26.60g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.79g
- Carbohydrates: 34.45g
- Fiber: 1.23g
- Sugar: 26.36g
- Protein: 41.44g
- Cholesterol: 213.19mg
- Sodium: 889.48mg
- Calcium: 78.57mg
- Potassium: 853.34mg
- Iron: 4.41mg
- Vitamin A: 29.34µg
- Vitamin C: 2.17mg
Key Technique Tip for Juicy Beef Brisket
When preparing your beef brisket, it's important to slice it against the grain. This means cutting through the muscle fibers, making the meat more tender and easier to chew. If you're unsure which direction the grain runs, look for the parallel lines of muscle fiber running down the meat and slice perpendicular to them. This technique will ensure your brisket is as tender and flavorful as possible.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing Juicy Beef Brisket
Prep ahead: Prepare the seasoning and barbecue sauce the night before and store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This will save you time on the day of cooking.
Use a slow cooker: Utilize a slow cooker to cook the beef brisket. It allows for hands-off cooking and ensures the brisket becomes tender and flavorful without needing constant attention.
Invest in quality tools: Use sharp knives and efficient kitchen tools to streamline the prep process and make slicing and handling the brisket easier.
Choose the right cut: Opt for a well-marbled beef brisket, as the marbling will add flavor and juiciness to the meat, reducing the need for additional steps or ingredients.
Set up a workstation: Organize your ingredients and cooking equipment in a clean and efficient manner to minimize time spent searching for items during the cooking process.
Properly store leftovers: Store any leftover brisket in airtight containers or resealable bags for quick and easy meal prep for future use.
Substitute Ingredients For Juicy Beef Brisket Recipe
beef brisket - Substitute with pork shoulder: Pork shoulder is a flavorful and juicy cut of meat that can be slow-cooked to tender perfection, similar to beef brisket.
garlic powder - Substitute with minced garlic: Fresh minced garlic can provide a more intense and aromatic flavor compared to garlic powder.
onion powder - Substitute with finely chopped onions: Using fresh onions can add a more pronounced and natural onion flavor to the dish.
paprika - Substitute with smoked paprika: Smoked paprika can add a deeper, smokier flavor to the dish, enhancing the overall taste.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a mild flavor and high smoke point, making it a suitable alternative for cooking the brisket.
barbecue sauce - Substitute with homemade barbecue sauce: Making your own barbecue sauce allows you to customize the flavors and adjust the sweetness and tanginess to your preference.
brown sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey can add a natural sweetness and depth of flavor to the barbecue sauce.
worcestershire sauce - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can provide a similar umami-rich flavor and depth to the barbecue sauce.
cayenne pepper - Substitute with smoked paprika: Smoked paprika can add a subtle heat and smokiness to the barbecue sauce, similar to cayenne pepper.
Presenting Your Juicy Beef Brisket
Elevate the plating: When presenting the juicy beef brisket, focus on creating an elegant and refined plating. Use edible flowers and microgreens to add a pop of color and freshness to the dish.
Incorporate texture: Introduce contrasting textures to the plate by adding a crunchy element such as crispy shallots or fried sage leaves. This will provide a delightful textural contrast to the tender beef brisket.
Utilize negative space: Embrace the concept of negative space on the plate to allow the beef brisket to be the focal point. Arrange the components thoughtfully, leaving ample space between each element for a visually appealing presentation.
Highlight the sauce: Drizzle the remaining barbecue sauce in a swirl pattern around the beef brisket, using a squeeze bottle for precision. This will add a touch of artistry to the plating and showcase the flavors of the sauce.
Garnish with finesse: Sprinkle a pinch of smoked sea salt over the beef brisket just before serving to enhance the overall flavor profile and provide a sophisticated finishing touch.
Essential Tools for Making Juicy Beef Brisket
Chef's knife: A versatile tool used for slicing, dicing, and chopping ingredients with precision.
Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for cutting and preparing ingredients without damaging countertops.
Meat thermometer: Essential for ensuring the beef brisket is cooked to the desired level of doneness.
Slow cooker: Used for slow-cooking the beef brisket to tender perfection with minimal effort.
Oven tray: Provides a flat surface for transferring the brisket from the slow cooker to the oven for broiling.
Basting brush: Used to evenly coat the brisket with the barbecue sauce while broiling.
Parchment paper or foil: Lined on the oven tray to prevent sticking and make for easy cleanup.
Food processor: Optional for blending and pureeing ingredients for the barbecue sauce.
Mixing bowl: Used for combining and mixing the ingredients for the barbecue sauce.
Spatula: Helps in transferring the brisket from the slow cooker to the oven tray for broiling.
Cooking spray: Used for greasing the slow cooker to prevent sticking and make cleaning easier.
Storing and Freezing Juicy Beef Brisket
- Let the brisket cool completely before storing or freezing.
- Wrap the brisket tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent air from getting in and drying out the meat.
- Place the wrapped brisket in an airtight container or freezer bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing.
- Label the container or bag with the date and contents for easy identification.
- Refrigerator storage: Store the brisket in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezer storage: Store the brisket in the freezer for up to 3 months for best quality.
- To reheat, thaw the brisket in the refrigerator overnight, if frozen.
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C) and place the brisket in a baking dish with a small amount of beef broth or water to maintain moisture.
- Cover the dish with foil and reheat until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), which may take about 20-30 minutes per pound.
- Alternatively, you can reheat the brisket in a slow cooker on low heat for 2-4 hours, adding a small amount of liquid to prevent drying out.
- Slice the reheated brisket thinly against the grain and serve with the reserved barbecue sauce, if desired.
How To Reheat Leftover Juicy Beef Brisket
- The best way to reheat leftover beef brisket is to wrap it tightly in aluminum foil and place it in a preheated oven at 325°F (165°C) for about 20-30 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C). This method helps to retain the moisture and prevent the meat from drying out.
- Another option is to slice the brisket thinly and reheat it in a skillet or griddle over medium heat with a small amount of beef broth or barbecue sauce. This method is quick and allows you to crisp up the edges of the meat while keeping it juicy on the inside.
- If you have a sous vide machine, you can reheat the brisket by placing it in a vacuum-sealed bag and cooking it in a water bath at 140°F (60°C) for about an hour. This method ensures even heating and maintains the original texture and flavor of the meat.
- For a quick and easy option, you can also reheat sliced brisket in the microwave. Place the slices in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals until warmed through. Be careful not to overheat, as this can cause the meat to become tough and dry.
- If you have leftover barbecue sauce, you can brush it over the sliced brisket before reheating to add extra flavor and moisture. This works well with any of the above reheating methods.
Random Fact About Juicy Beef Brisket
The beef brisket is a classic dish in Texas barbecue, where it is often smoked for hours to achieve its tender and juicy texture. This cooking method allows the meat to absorb the smoky flavors, resulting in a rich and savory taste.
Is Making Juicy Beef Brisket at Home Economical?
The cost-effectiveness of this beef brisket recipe largely depends on the price of the ingredients in your local area. Beef brisket can be a budget-friendly cut, and the additional seasonings and barbecue sauce are commonly found in most kitchens. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people would be around $25-$30. This juicy beef brisket recipe offers a flavorful and satisfying meal, earning a solid 8/10 rating for its balance of cost and taste.
Is Juicy Beef Brisket Healthy or Unhealthy?
The beef brisket recipe, while undeniably delicious, leans more towards the unhealthy side due to several factors:
- High saturated fat content from the beef brisket, which can contribute to heart disease and other health issues when consumed in excess
- Significant amount of sodium from the salt and barbecue sauce, which may be problematic for those with high blood pressure or sensitivity to salt
- Added sugars in the barbecue sauce, contributing to increased calorie intake and potential blood sugar spikes
However, the recipe does include some beneficial ingredients, such as garlic and spices like paprika and cumin, which offer antioxidants and potential anti-inflammatory properties.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following modifications:
- Opt for a leaner cut of beef, such as round or sirloin, to reduce the overall fat content
- Trim any visible fat from the meat before cooking to further decrease the saturated fat intake
- Reduce the amount of salt used in the seasoning mix and choose a low-sodium barbecue sauce to help control sodium levels
- Create a homemade barbecue sauce using less sugar and more natural ingredients like tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, and spices to minimize added sugars
- Incorporate more vegetables into the meal, such as a side salad or roasted vegetables, to increase fiber and nutrient intake
- Practice portion control by slicing the brisket thinly and pairing it with a balanced array of sides
Editor's Thoughts on This Juicy Beef Brisket Recipe
The beef brisket recipe you've provided is a classic and flavorful dish. The combination of spices and slow cooking method will result in a tender and juicy brisket. The barbecue sauce adds a sweet and tangy flavor that complements the richness of the meat. However, I would suggest adjusting the salt and cayenne pepper to taste, as personal preferences vary. Overall, this recipe is sure to impress with its melt-in-your-mouth texture and robust flavors. Enjoy!
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Why trust this Juicy Beef Brisket Recipe:
This recipe guarantees a mouthwatering beef brisket that's tender, flavorful, and succulent. The blend of garlic powder, paprika, and other seasonings infuses the meat with rich, aromatic flavors. The slow cooking process ensures the brisket is juicy and tender, while the homemade barbecue sauce adds a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors. The use of high-quality olive oil and the careful attention to detail in the cooking process make this recipe a trustworthy choice for a delicious brisket experience.
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