Slow-cooked to perfection, this crockpot brisket is an easy, hands-off way to enjoy tender beef with caramelized edges smothered in rich BBQ sauce. It practically melts in your mouth!

Slow cooker brisket sliced on a wooden cutting board with caramelized onions and BBQ glaze.

This post may contain affiliate links. Read disclosure policy.

Crock Pot Brisket Recipe with BBQ Sauce

When I think of crockpot brisket, I picture fall-apart tender beef smothered in a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce. Sometimes I pile it on buns for BBQ brisket sandwiches, but it’s just as delicious served with mashed potatoes.

With a simple dry rub and your favorite barbecue sauce, this slow cooker brisket is one of the easiest ways to enjoy this hearty cut of beef. Just set it, forget it, and let the kitchen fill with the most amazing aroma!

Why I Love This Recipe

  • Tender beef. Cooking low and slow in the crockpot makes the brisket melt-in-your-mouth tender, similar to my red wine braised short ribs and my easy pot roast.
  • No oven needed. Brisket in the crockpot is perfect all year round, cozy comfort food in the winter and a great way to avoid heating up the kitchen in the summer.

Ingredient Notes

Uncooked brisket with BBQ sauce, onion, and seasoning ingredients arranged on parchment paper.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Dry rub: Brown sugar, kosher salt, paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper.
  • Onion: Adding sliced onion to the crockpot adds plenty of flavor, and when they’re cooked down and caramelized, you can serve them with the meat.
  • Beef brisket: A tough cut of meat that does really well with low heat and longer cooking times to really tenderize it. You’ll want a 3-4 pound brisket.
  • Homemade BBQ sauce: Use your favorite homemade or store-bought barbecue sauce.

How to Make Crockpot Brisket

Combine the dry rub ingredients in a small bowl.

Glass bowl filled with brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt for brisket seasoning rub.

Use your hands to rub it evenly around the brisket. Then, let the meat rest for 15 minutes.

Raw brisket coated in a homemade dry rub of brown sugar and spices on parchment paper

Add the sliced onions to the bottom of your slow cooker, and then place the meat on top. Make sure the fat side is facing up. Pour the BBQ sauce on top and cover with the lid.

Uncooked beef brisket in a slow cooker covered with a generous layer of BBQ sauce.

Cook on low for 8–9 hours until fork tender. Let it rest on a cutting board for 5–10 minutes before slicing against the grain or use two forks to pull it apart easily.

Juicy slices of crockpot brisket with BBQ glaze and onions on a wooden cutting board

Recipe Tips

  • Do not trim the fat. It helps keep the meat moist and gives it even more flavor.
  • Slow cooker beef brisket becomes quite tender and easy to shred for pulled brisket. If you want shredded meat, then cut it along the grain. If you’re looking for thin slices, cut against the grain.
  • To keep it moist, you can either pour a little liquid from the slow cooker over the sliced brisket or put it back inside the slow cooker to rest in the juices.
  • For carmelized edges, remove brisket from crockpot and place it on a lined baking sheet. Brush with sauce then place under the broiler for a few minutes.
  • Switch up the flavor with this dry rub for pork tenderloin or dry rub for ribs.

Serving Suggestions

Slices of tender crockpot brisket with BBQ sauce and onions served with creamy mashed potatoes on a white plate.

More tender meats to pile high on a bun include BBQ pork sandwich, crockpot BBQ chicken or Instant Pot shredded beef.

More Slow Cooker Recipes

See all
See all
Sliced brisket on a cutting board.

Crockpot Brisket Recipe

5 from 6 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 8
Slow-cooked to perfection, this crockpot brisket is an easy, hands-off way to enjoy tender beef with caramelized edges smothered in rich BBQ sauce!
Print Pin This! Rate

Video

Equipment

Ingredients 

Rub

  • 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Add to slow cooker

  • 1 onion , sliced
  • 3 ½ pounds beef brisket
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce

Instructions

  • Make rub: Combine 1 Tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
  • Rub: Press the rub into the brisket evenly around the top and sides. Allow to rest for 15 minutes.
  • Combine: Place the sliced onions in the bottom of your crockpot. Then place the brisket, fat side up on top. Pour 1 cup bbq sauce on top.
  • Slow cook: Cook on low for 8-9 hours or until fork tender.
  • Rest: Remove meat and place on a cutting board. Allow meat to rest 5-10 minutes before slicing. Slice thin against the grain. Pour a little sauce from the slow cooker over top or place back inside the slow cooker.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Glazed top: Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray the brisket with oil and roast in the oven for 15 minutes, or until browned in spots. Remove from the oven and brush generously with sauce from slow cooker. Return to the oven for 5 minutes, then repeat the basting. Roast for another 5–10 minutes, or until the sauce caramelizes beautifully. . 
Cutting meat: If you cut against the grain, you’ll get slices. If you want more of a shredded meat, slice along the grains of the brisket. 
Storing: Store leftover meat in a covered container 3-5 days in the refrigerator. 

Nutrition

Calories: 383kcal, Carbohydrates: 18g, Protein: 42g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 123mg, Sodium: 817mg, Potassium: 772mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 14g, Vitamin A: 204IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 28mg, Iron: 4mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Recipe FAQs

Can I cook this on high?

You can. While a slow cooked brisket works best under low and slow circumstances, if you’re short on time, you can speed it up with high heat for 4-5 hours. If you notice it’s not tender yet, keep it cooking a little while longer.

How do I know when brisket is done in the crockpot?

With brisket, tenderness is just as important as temperature. Use a meat thermometer to check that the center of the beef reaches between 195°F and 215°F. You’ll also notice it’s ready when the edges easily pull apart with a fork.

How to store slow cooker brisket?

Keep leftover brisket stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Can I freeze cooked brisket leftovers?

Definitely! Freeze it for up to 3 months in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.