A Pulled BBQ Brisket made in the slow cooker is an easy and flavorful way to enjoy tender, melt-in-your-mouth brisket. Here’s a simple recipe for it:
Ingredients:
- 3-4 lbs beef brisket (flat cut or point cut)
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup beef broth or water
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (optional for tanginess)
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 cups BBQ sauce (your favorite brand or homemade)
- Buns for serving (optional)
Instructions:
- Prep the Brisket:
- Pat the brisket dry with paper towels. Trim any excess fat if necessary, leaving a small layer for flavor.
- In a small bowl, mix together the smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, black pepper, and salt.
- Season the Brisket:
- Rub the spice mixture all over the brisket, ensuring it’s evenly coated.
- Layer the Slow Cooker:
- Place the sliced onion and minced garlic in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Pour in the beef broth (or water), Worcestershire sauce, and apple cider vinegar (if using).
- Cook the Brisket:
- Place the seasoned brisket on top of the onions and garlic in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or until the brisket is fork-tender and easily shreds. If you’re short on time, you can cook it on high for 4-5 hours, but low and slow yields the best results.
- Shred the Brisket:
- Once the brisket is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the meat.
- Discard any large pieces of fat.
- Add BBQ Sauce:
- Pour your favorite BBQ sauce into the slow cooker and mix it with the cooking juices and onions.
- Add the shredded brisket back into the slow cooker and stir to combine the meat with the sauce. Let it cook for another 20-30 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Serve:
- Serve the pulled BBQ brisket on buns for sandwiches or over rice, mashed potatoes, or a salad. You can top it with extra BBQ sauce, pickles, or coleslaw if you like.
Tips:
- For extra smokiness: If you have liquid smoke on hand, you can add a few drops to the slow cooker for a smoky flavor.
- Leftovers: Leftover pulled brisket makes a great filling for tacos, quesadillas, or a topping for baked potatoes!
- Make-ahead: This recipe is perfect for making ahead. The flavors actually improve after a day or two, so it’s great for meal prepping.
Enjoy your Pulled BBQ Brisket—it’s the perfect combination of tender, flavorful meat and tangy BBQ sauce!