Tiffany Haney
Slow-cooked brisket is a hearty, flavourful, and tender meal that is perfect for a Sunday supper or holiday dinner. It is a convenient and comforting dish that can be made in a Crock-Pot or slow cooker, freeing up oven space. The best substitute for beef brisket is rolled chuck, but beef or pork ribs can also be used. The cooking time depends on the weight of the brisket and whether you are cooking on high or low heat. For example, a 1.5 kg / 3 lb brisket can be cooked on high heat for 4.5 hours or on low heat for 7 to 8 hours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat Placement | Fat side down |
| Meat Type | Brisket |
| Additions to Meat | Thyme sprigs, garlic, bay leaves |
| Vegetables | Carrots, potatoes, celery, onion |
| Liquid Ingredients | Stock, Worcestershire sauce, cornstarch |
| Liquid Preparation | Whisk together, pour into slow cooker |
| Cooking Time | 5-6 hours on high, 8 hours on low |
| Meat Temperature | Tender, but not falling apart |
| Post-Cooking | Remove thyme sprigs and bay leaves, slice meat |
| Meat Slice Thickness | Thin |
| Meat Slice Direction | Against the grain |
| Leftovers | Sandwiches, reheating |
| Chilling | Overnight |
| Reheating | Oven |
| Crockpot Benefits | Tender meat, tasty, convenient |
| Crockpot Usage | Holiday dinners, Sunday suppers |
| Crockpot Size | 6-8 quart |
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What You'll Learn
How to prepare the brisket
First, pat the brisket dry with paper towels. Season generously all over with salt and pepper. You can also make a dry rub by mixing brown sugar, chili powder, paprika, salt, pepper, mustard powder, onion powder, and garlic powder. Heat a large skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat and turn on your vent or fan. Place the brisket in the pan, fat side down, and sear, flipping once, until a golden-brown crust forms.
Next, place the brisket in your slow cooker, fat side up. Add your desired vegetables and aromatics to the slow cooker. This can include onions, garlic, thyme, and bay leaves. You can also add carrots, potatoes, and celery. Pour your choice of liquid into the slow cooker—this can be stock, Worcestershire sauce, or a combination of beef broth, liquid smoke, and Worcestershire sauce.
Cover and cook on high for 4.5-5 hours or low for 7-8 hours, depending on the size of your brisket. The brisket is ready when it is tender but not falling apart. Remove the brisket from the slow cooker and let it rest on a cutting board, fat side up, for 20-30 minutes. If desired, you can skim the fat from the surface of the cooking liquid and thicken the sauce by blending it with the garlic and onions.
Finally, slice the brisket thinly against the grain. If you want to crisp up the fatty edges, baste the fatty side with a mixture of barbecue sauce and the cooking liquid, then place it under the broiler for 2-4 minutes.
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What to put in the crock pot with the brisket
When slow-cooking brisket in a crock pot, it is important to flavour the meat and keep it moist. Here is what you can put in the crock pot with the brisket for best results:
Onions
Caramelised onions are a great addition to a slow cooker brisket. You can cook the onions in a separate pan before adding them to the crock pot, or simply add them raw and let them cook in the crock pot. Either way, they will add a rich, sweet flavour to the dish.
Garlic
Garlic is another great flavour booster for slow-cooked brisket. You can add whole garlic cloves to the crock pot, or mince or crush the garlic and add it to the cooking liquid.
Thyme and Bay Leaves
Adding thyme sprigs and bay leaves to the crock pot will infuse the meat with flavour. Place them directly on top of the brisket to maximise the impact.
Vegetables
Vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, celery, and peppers can be added to the crock pot to cook alongside the brisket. They will absorb the flavours of the meat and seasonings, and release their own juices, adding to the overall taste of the dish.
Stock and Sauce
A liquid is necessary to create a moist environment in the crock pot and keep the brisket from drying out. You can use stock, or a combination of Worcestershire sauce, cornstarch, and water. Alternatively, make a dry rub with brown sugar, chili powder, paprika, salt, pepper, mustard powder, onion powder, and garlic powder, and then mix with beef broth, liquid smoke, and Worcestershire sauce for a cooking liquid.
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How long to cook the brisket for
The cooking time for your brisket will depend on the weight of the meat, the temperature setting of your crock pot, and your desired level of tenderness.
For a 1.5 kg / 3 lb brisket, cook for 4.5 hours on high. For a 2 kg / 4 lb brisket, cook for 5 hours on high. If your brisket is frozen, cook on high for 1 hour, then on low for 7 hours.
If you would like to cook your brisket on low, an 8- to 10-hour time frame is generally recommended. For a 2.5–3 kg / 5–6 lb brisket, a cooking time of 10 hours on low is suggested. However, if you are short on time, a minimum of 8 hours on low should be sufficient.
Some recipes recommend cooking your brisket overnight in the crock pot, then chilling it until dinner time. This method allows the brisket to rest and the flavours to develop, resulting in a more tender and tasty dish.
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How to prepare the brisket for serving
Once your brisket is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and transfer it to a cutting board, with the fat cap facing up. Let it rest for 20-30 minutes. Then, slice the meat thinly, cutting against the grain. If you want to remove the fat, you can do so now, or you can leave it for a more luxurious dish.
If you're preparing the brisket ahead of time, let it chill overnight in the refrigerator, which will make it easier to remove the fat. Then, scrape away the hardened fat with a spoon.
If you want to serve the brisket with a sauce, skim the fat from the surface of the cooking sauce. You can then strain the sauce to separate the solids and discard them. Alternatively, blend the sauce with the garlic and onions, being careful as the liquid will be hot. Place the brisket slices into the slow cooker, cover with sauce, and reheat for 45-75 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
Serve the brisket with the sauce and vegetables on the side. This dish goes well with sides such as baked beans, cornbread, coleslaw, macaroni salad, or mashed potato.
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What to serve with the brisket
There are many side dishes that go well with brisket. Here are some ideas:
A classic side to serve with brisket is a refreshing salad. A cucumber and tomato salad with creamy avocado and salty feta is a fresh spin on a classic. A zingy salad with pickled onions, cucumber, and tomatoes is another great option. For a simple salad, a mix of heirloom tomatoes dressed in a honey-dijon vinaigrette is a perfect summer option. A broccoli salad is another crunchy and tangy option that pairs well with rich dishes like brisket.
For a heartier option, mac and cheese is a great choice, especially with smoky brisket. For a Southern barbecue feel, serve your brisket with grits, especially with cheese. Pimento cheese is a great addition to grits, made with cheddar cheese, cream cheese, bacon, mayonnaise, chives, spices, and pimento peppers.
Cornbread is another classic side to serve with brisket. Jalapeño-studded cornbread with honey butter is a great option. For a lighter option, a simple corn on the cob is a good choice.
Potato salad is another classic side dish that goes well with brisket. For a unique twist, try an Elote potato salad, or a potato salad with chopped dill pickles, spicy pickled okra, and relish.
Other side options include collard greens, baked beans, and coleslaw.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes 8 to 10 hours to slow cook a brisket on low heat. On high heat, it takes 4.5 hours for 1.5 kg / 3 lb or 5 hours for 2 kg / 4 lb.
There is no cut of beef with the same cooking qualities as brisket. However, rolled chuck, beef ribs, or pork ribs can be used as substitutes.
If your brisket is frozen, season it with a dry rub and cook it on high for 1 hour, then on low for 7 hours.
Slow cooker brisket goes well with sides such as baked beans, cornbread, coleslaw, potato salad, or mashed potatoes.
To make a tasty slow cooker brisket, season the meat generously with salt and pepper, and add ingredients such as garlic, thyme, bay leaves, and onion soup mix.
