These easy slow cooker BBQ brisket sandwiches are made with tender beef brisket simmered in the crockpot with BBQ sauce. Top with coleslaw for a rave-worthy meal!

This post may contain affiliate links. Read disclosure policy.
Crockpot Brisket Sandwiches
In the summer when it’s too hot to be standing over the stove making braised beef short ribs, turning on the oven or even tending to a hot smoker or grill, I still get my BBQ brisket sandwiches in, without heating the house. A slow cooker meal to the rescue!
This beef brisket sandwich recipe is an easy 5-ingredient crockpot meal that tastes delicious AND looks pretty dang amazing on the plate! All you need for this brisket recipe is a brisket, onion, apple cider vinegar and BBQ sauce. It’s melt-in-the-mouth tasty!
If you love crockpot recipes as much as I do for hands-off summer cookouts, try this crockpot BBQ chicken, crock pot brisket recipe or BBQ pork sandwich, too!
How to Make BBQ Brisket in the Slow Cooker
Place the brisket (fat side up) in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the sliced onions on top. Then mix together barbecue sauce with apple cider vinegar (the acid adds flavor and helps tenderize the brisket) and pour over the brisket. Cover and cook on high until the beef is tender, about 5 hours.
TIP: For even more flavor, try rubbing this dry rub for ribs over the brisket before adding to the crockpot. It will add an extra smokiness to your meat that tastes delicious!
Slicing the Brisket
Before slicing the brisket, it’s important to let the meat rest. Remove it from the crockpot and place on a cutting board to rest for about 20 minutes. This keeps the meat moist and juicy. If you were to slice it right away, the natural juices would seep out, making the meat less tender and more dry. So let that meat rest for the best result! Then once rested, slice the meat flat against the grain into strips.
Favorite Brisket Sandwich Toppings
Pile the slow cooker BBQ brisket slices high on a soft toasted dinner roll or hamburger bun. You could even make sliders, like I do with this pulled pork sliders recipe!
We love to drizzle a spoonful of the remaining sauce that’s left in the slow cooker over the bbq beef brisket sandwiches for extra flavor. Then add some prepared coleslaw and sliced pickles to make it taste like a restaurant-style sandwich. Oh so good!
What to Serve with BBQ Brisket Sandwiches
- Crunchy potato chips
- Homemade mac and cheese
- Grilled vegetables
- Parmesan potato wedges
- Easy pasta salad recipe with Italian dressing
- Broccoli salad
- Potato salad
- Crockpot baked beans
- Chocolate ice cream for the best summer dessert!
Love slow cooker beef recipes? Try crockpot beef and broccoli, crockpot beef stew or slow cooker beef bourguignon.
More Slow Cooker Dinners
Slow Cooker BBQ Brisket Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 2½ pounds flat cut brisket
- 1 small onion , sliced
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
For serving: brioche or hamburger buns, coleslaw, sliced dill pickles, potato chips
Instructions
- Cook in slow cooker. Place 2 1/2 pounds brisket in a 4 to 6 quart slow cooker, fat side up. Add 1 small onion on top. Whisk together 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and 1 cup BBQ sauce and pour over brisket. Cover and cook on high until brisket is tender, about 5 hours.
- Rest and slice brisket. Let meat rest about 20 min before slicing and reserve the sauce in the slow cooker. Toast the rolls and add sliced brisket to the bottom of each roll. Add a spoonful of coleslaw and dill pickles if desired.
- Serve. Serve sandwiches drizzled with reserved sauce and potato chips
Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
FAQs
I love to use my homemade BBQ sauce recipe but your favorite store brand works. Memphis style BBQ sauce is often used for BBQ brisket sandwiches.
Once assembled with a bun, the bbq brisket sandwich recipe should be eating immediately. Store leftover BBQ brisket meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Yes! After cooking, cool completely then place in a freeze safe bag and store frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge, reheat in the microwave and enjoy.
Mel
This brisket was amazing! So flavorful and easy to throw in the slow cooker!
Kristyn
All I can say, is YUM! We love this sandwich!! The meat is so juicy & tender & so tasty!!
Katie
I’m making this now. My brisket is 5#; do I increase the time? I’m using an 8qt crockpot. Ty
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
It may take up to 6 hours. Check at 5 hours, and if it’s tender and able to be sliced, it’s ready. If not, cook awhile longer.
Sara Welch
This was everything a gourmet sandwich should be, and then some! Turned out bold, hearty and delicious; easily, a new favorite recipe!
Nellie Tracy
YUM! Love making these for dinner but also great for parties! My friends and family love them!
Jane Saunders
I can’t stress enough the difference leaving the meat to rest for 20 minutes seemed to make – so juicy and succulent. Fabulous tip – so thanks.
Annie
Yum, my husband is going to love this brisket! So easy and delicious!
Jamielyn Nye
Hope you enjoy! :)
Ashley
I would love to make this for about 25 people. What size brisket would you suggest?! It looks delicious.
I Heart Naptime
This is awesome for a crowd! I hope you have a very large slow cooker – you’d probably want to cook about seven pounds of brisket.
Jen
I love brisket but have never made it – I’ll have to try out this recipe!
I Heart Naptime
It’s amazingly easy when using a slow cooker. :)
Charlene @ Sporadic Obsessions
This looks delicious! I love BBQ, but I can’t grill. I’m usually at the mercy of my Dad when it comes to BBQ. Not anymore, slow cooker to the rescue. I’m definitely trying this. Thanks for the recipe.
Erin@WellPlated
The hubs has been begging me to make BBQ lately and LOVES brisket. Meant to be! (and this is the prettiest brisket I’ve ever seen)
I Heart Naptime
Thank you! It’s quite delicious, too!