Slow Cooker Beef Brisket is fall-apart tender, juicy, flavorful and easy! The only Slow Cooked beef brisket recipe you'll need! Serve as a side or in a bun. | natashaskitchen.com

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This slow cooker beef brisket is fall-apart tender, so juicy and flavorful and you won’t believe how simple the ingredient list is! This slow cooker brisket had everyone’s seal of approval – rave reviews every time!

Crockpot beef brisket is great as a side dish with mashed potatoes or served as beef brisket sandwiches. The slow cooked mushrooms are just as delicious as the slow cooked brisket. You will savor every bite. This one is also awesome for meal planning because leftovers refrigerate REALLY WELL!

And it’s about time we share more SLOW COOKER recipes!! We love easy, juicy, melt-in-your mouth meat and it is my favorite way to use our slow cooker. 

This Beef Brisket slow cooker recipe is adapted from theKitchn. Recipe updated 10/10/17 garlic amount reduced from 8 cloves to 6 to account for varying sizes of garlic cloves. Use 6 medium garlic cloves and be sure to chop the garlic (do not press garlic for this slow cooker recipe).

Slow Cooker Beef Brisket is fall-apart tender, juicy, flavorful and easy! The only Slow Cooked beef brisket recipe you'll need! Serve as a side or in a bun. | natashaskitchen.com

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Beef Brisket Recipe:

3 Tbsp Olive oil to sauté, divided
4 lb beef brisket
2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper, or to taste
2 medium (1 lb) yellow onions, sliced into thick strips
1 lb mushrooms, thickly sliced
6 medium garlic cloves, peeled and chopped (not pressed)*
2 cups low sodium chicken or beef broth/stock
2 1/2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Slow Cooker Beef Brisket is fall-apart tender, juicy, flavorful and easy! The only Slow Cooked beef brisket recipe you'll need! Serve as a side or in a bun. | natashaskitchen.com

*Garlic Tip: it is easiest to mince this quantity of garlic in a food processor. Do not use a garlic press for this recipe.

How to Make Slow Cooker Brisket:

1. Generously season brisket with about 2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Heat a large heavy skillet or cast iron pan over high heat. Add 1 Tbsp olive oil and when hot, add brisket (fat side down). Sear 4-5 minutes per side or until browned on both sides. Transfer to slow cooker with the fat side facing up.

Two photos of brisket being browned on a skillet

A browned beef brisket in a slow cooker

2. In the same pan, add 1 Tbsp olive oil and sliced onions. Sautee 5-7 minutes or until onions are caramelized. Place onions over brisket. In the same pan, add more oil as needed and saute mushrooms until softened (5 min). Place mushrooms into the slow cooker. Sprinkle chopped garlic over the mushrooms.

Slow Cooker Beef Brisket is fall-apart tender, juicy, flavorful and easy! The only Slow Cooked beef brisket recipe you'll need! Serve as a side or in a bun. | natashaskitchen.com

A slow cooker with beef brisket, sautéed onions and mushrooms, and garlic

3. Combine  2 cups chicken broth with 2 1/2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce and pour mixture over the meat.

Two photos one of liquids in a measuring cup and one of the liquids being poured into a slow cooker

4. Cover and cook on low 7 to 8 hours or until cooked through and easy to pull apart with forks. Turn off slow cooker and rest for 15 minutes with the lid on. Remove and discard excess fat from the top** then pull the beef apart with forks and keep it in the slow cooker to soak up the juices which will add incredible flavor and keep the meat tender. Serve beef brisket and mushrooms, spooning the slow cooker brisket juices over the top.

Two photos of a slow cooker beef brisket

**Picky Eaters Tip – I prefer my meat to be really clean and lean so I transfer the meat to a platter to make sure I have removed all of the fat, then return the shredded meat to the slow cooker.

Slow Cooker Beef Brisket is fall-apart tender, juicy, flavorful and easy! The only Slow Cooked beef brisket recipe you'll need! Serve as a side or in a bun. | natashaskitchen.com

This will thicken up when refrigerated but turns back into a beautiful broth when it is reheated ands YES, Leftovers keep super well in the refrigerator and can be warmed on a skillet or microwave, or the oven.

⬇ Print-Friendly Slow Cooker Beef Brisket Recipe:

Slow Cooker Beef Brisket Recipe

4.95 from 99 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
This slow cooker beef brisket is fall-apart tender, so juicy and flavorful. Slow Cooked beef brisket is easy and gets rave reviews every time! Perfect with mashed potatoes or as beef brisket sandwiches.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 8 to 10 as a side or sandwich
  • 3 Tbsp Olive oil to sauté, divided
  • 4 lb beef brisket
  • 2 tsp sea salt , or to taste
  • 1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 lb yellow onions (2 medium), sliced into thick strips
  • 1 lb mushrooms, thickly sliced
  • 6 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped (not pressed)*
  • 2 cups low sodium chicken stock or beef broth
  • 2 1/2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

  • Generously season brisket with about 2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Heat large heavy skillet or cast iron pan over high heat. Add 1 Tbsp oil and when hot, add brisket (fat side down). Sear 4-5 min per side or until browned on both sides. Transfer to slow cooker, fat side facing up.
  • In the same pan, add 1 Tbsp oil and sliced onions. Sautee 5-7 min or until onions are caramelized. Place onions over brisket. In the same pan, add more oil as needed and saute mushrooms until soft (5 min). Place mushrooms into the slow cooker and sprinkle chopped garlic over the top.
  • Combine 2 cups chicken broth with 2 1/2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce and pour mixture over meat.
  • Cover and cook on low 7 to 8 hrs or until cooked through and easy to pull apart with forks. Turn off slow cooker and rest 15 min with the lid on. Remove and discard excess fat from the top** then pull the beef apart with forks and keep it in the slow cooker to soak up the juices which will add amazing flavor and keep meat tender. Serve beef brisket and mushrooms, spooning slow cooker juices over the top.

Notes

*Garlic Tip: it is easiest to mince this quantity of garlic in a food processor. Do not use a garlic press for this recipe.
**If you prefer really clean and lean meat; transfer the meat to a platter to make sure all of the fat is removed then return the shredded meat to the slow cooker. 
Note on Nutrition: the nutrition label will vary greatly based on how much you trim the fat from your meat. Also, keep in mind some of the salt and liquid may get discarded at the bottom of the pot. 

Nutrition Per Serving

450kcal Calories9g Carbs50g Protein22g Fat6g Saturated Fat140mg Cholesterol835mg Sodium1113mg Potassium1g Fiber4g Sugar6.8mg Vitamin C38mg Calcium5.3mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Slow Cooker Beef Brisket Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
450
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
22
g
34
%
Saturated Fat
 
6
g
38
%
Cholesterol
 
140
mg
47
%
Sodium
 
835
mg
36
%
Potassium
 
1113
mg
32
%
Carbohydrates
 
9
g
3
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
4
g
4
%
Protein
 
50
g
100
%
Vitamin C
 
6.8
mg
8
%
Calcium
 
38
mg
4
%
Iron
 
5.3
mg
29
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Slow Cooker Beef Brisket
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $$
Calories: 450
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Garnish with chopped chives or green onion to fancy it up. Garnish adds a beautiful pop of color and fresh flavor to everything. It is the easiest way to make your dish more beautiful for a dinner party.

Slow Cooker Beef Brisket is fall-apart tender, juicy, flavorful and easy! The only Slow Cooked beef brisket recipe you'll need! Serve as a side or in a bun. | natashaskitchen.com

I hope you fall in love with this brisket recipe slow cooker style! It’s so juicy and flavorful. I look at that photo and want it all over again! 😉 Enjoy this my friends!

P.S. Crazy for crockpot recipes? If you loved this crockpot brisket, don’t miss our most popular slow cooker lasagna!

Slow Cooker Beef Brisket is fall-apart tender, juicy, flavorful and easy! The only Slow Cooked beef brisket recipe you'll need! Serve as a side or in a bun. | natashaskitchen.com
4.95 from 99 votes (63 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Galina
    December 10, 2022

    Just made this. It’s delicious!!!!! If I could give it 6 starts I would. Thank you for the wonderful recipe. Can it be frozen? It’s a lot of meat 🙂

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 10, 2022

      You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Galina! I haven’t tried freezing this recipe, but here is what one of my readers wrote: ” We raise beef and I try many recipes – this is the BEST one I have found for brisket so far! For those of you with smaller families – don’t worry about making too much. I portion things out into containers and freeze them for another day.” I hope this helps!

      Reply

  • Jennifer Pinon
    November 20, 2022

    Two questions: Do you think I can sear the meat and cook the onions the night before? So I can just throw it in the crock pot in the morning. And can I cook two briskets in one crock pot or should I use two? Thanks for the advice.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 21, 2022

      Hi Jennifer, yes, you should be able to prep it the night before and refrigerate it. I do not know if two briskets would fit, depends on the size of the crock pot and the briskets and I am not sure how that would affect the cooking time but if you experiment, let us know how it turns out.

      Reply

      • Jennifer
        November 25, 2022

        This came out great. I did end up using two separate crock pots. I seared both briskets and cooked the onions all at the same time on my black stone griddle outside. Then prepped in crock pots the night before and stuck them in the fridge. Just had to get up at 3 AM and place them in the cooker and turn them on. It was perfect. Thanks for another great recipe.

        Reply

        • Natasha's Kitchen
          November 25, 2022

          You’re welcome, Jennifer. Glad you enjoyed this!

          Reply

  • barkingburro
    September 17, 2022

    This is now in my top two recipes (#1 spot is reserved for a certain chicken fricassee). My friends rave about this dish whenever I serve it. Also, this makes the most delicious french dip sandwiches on baguettes with ajus [sp?]—amazing! Just one mod I would like to suggest to your already wonderful recipe. Before cooking the mushrooms, don’t add oil. Instead, deglaze the pan with a generous splash of dry vermouth. The mushrooms will thank you for it. 🙂

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      September 17, 2022

      That’s wonderful! I’m so glad you love this recipe. Thank you for the review.

      Reply

  • Holly Ann
    July 23, 2022

    Came out delicious! I added green and orange bell peppers (sautéed like the mushrooms) and used portabella & shiitake mushrooms- came out great! Served with scalloped potatoes. Will definitely be preparing this again, already sent your recipe link to my family! Will slow cooking the meat for the full 8 hours make it dry or more soft? Mine was done at the 6 hour mark & the sauce helped it taste moist but without it felt a bit dry.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      July 25, 2022

      Hi Holly, the cut of meat (the fat content as well as the size) can affect the cooking time. If it’s a larger piece of meat, I would cook longer on low heat or until you reach your desired tenderness.

      Reply

  • Anthony Brevig
    July 12, 2022

    Thanks for sharing this! I’ve been bbqing all year and looking forward to it again this weekend! Excited to try pulled pork for my next family reunion.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      July 12, 2022

      You’re welcome, Anthony. I hope you’ll love all the recipes that you’ll try!

      Reply

  • Jennifer
    July 12, 2022

    Hi Natasha, I kind of nervous to try your recipe (I don’t know why since everything I’ve tried from your site has been absolutely delicious!) since the last time I tied to cook a brisket in my crockpot it tuned out like shoe leather. I cooked it for the same amount of time with liquid. Do you have an idea why it would turn out so tough?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      July 12, 2022

      Hi Jennifer, I have tried this recipe a couple of times and it works well, the beef doesn’t turn out tough. Often, tough brisket comes about as a result of undercooking. The meat needs to be subjected to low temperatures for many hours in order to achieve that prized tenderness.

      Reply

      • Jennifer
        July 15, 2022

        Thank you. I’m going to give it a try and let you know how it turns out.

        Reply

    • Lily
      January 26, 2023

      Hi Natasha,
      Do you think this can be done in an instapot? What would be the difference (from your experience, how different meat comes out from instapot vs a slow cooker) Need it fast and without any smell in the house 🙂

      Reply

      • Natashas Kitchen
        January 26, 2023

        Hi Lily, I haven’t tested that, but I think it could work. Here’s what one of my readers wrote: “Cooked it in the instant pot under the slow cooking setting. I think, 9-10 hours would be better.” If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe, Lily!

        Reply

  • Ian A
    September 13, 2021

    Tried it, super easy, the whole family loved it. I added cayenne pepper for a little spice.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 13, 2021

      That is the best when the family loves what we make. That’s so great!

      Reply

  • Vered
    April 6, 2021

    can it be cooked in the instant pot?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 6, 2021

      Hi Vered, I haven’t tested that but I think it could work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe

      Reply

  • Diane Sanders
    March 22, 2021

    I made your Slow Cooker Beef Brisket yesterday. This is the first brisket I’ve ever cooked. I did not add the salt because my husband and I are on low salt diets. We both loved it! I emailed the recipe to our 2 adult children, and I think they are going to make it also. Thanks so much for sharing the recipe with the online community! Diane S.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 22, 2021

      That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Diane! I’m so glad you all enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Martha
    February 13, 2021

    I love your website and recipes. Every recipe of yours has been a hit with my family. So delicious. I am cooking my whole special Valentines dinner for my husband and my boys with your recipes tomorrow and feel confident everything will be wonderful. Thanks!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 13, 2021

      You’re welcome! I bet they’re going to love this meal!

      Reply

  • Lynne
    January 10, 2021

    Great recipe for brisket! I ad extra onions as I love them! Have it with mash or greens! Thanks xx

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 10, 2021

      Sounds great! Thanks for your good feedback, Lynne.

      Reply

  • Alexandra
    December 24, 2020

    Hello! I prepared everything for this recipe and then realized my slow cooker is half the size of yours! Will this be an issue or will I have to adjust anything??

    Reply

    • Natasha
      December 24, 2020

      Hi Alexandra, as long as everything fits into your slow cooker without overflowing and leaving some space at the top for steam to escape, it should be ok with the same instructions.

      Reply

  • Yulia
    October 14, 2020

    Overall, it was yummy, especially with a mashed potato. Cooked it in the instant pot under the slow cooking setting. I think, 9-10 hours would be better. Also, next time, I will not shred it but will rather cut into into slices. After a day, onions became too mushy and blended with the meat. Didn’t taste that great after, unless you like mushy onions. Also, it was too much meat. Great for a crowd, but too much for a family of 2.

    Reply

    • Yulia
      October 14, 2020

      I also think that blending onions with juices after, and adding some cornstarch or flour to thicken it, would turn into a great gravy over the sliced meat

      Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      October 15, 2020

      Hello Yulia, thanks for your feedback and for sharing your experience making this recipe with us. I hope you love every recipe that you try!

      Reply

  • andrea
    September 3, 2020

    Made this yesterday, shredded and heated through with the juices made into an onion gravy, absolutely delicious and a cheap meal for 5 with enough left overs for sandwiches!! All for under £20.

    Thanks for the recipes and the conversions too xx

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 3, 2020

      I’m so glad you’re enjoying our recipes Andrea!

      Reply

  • Rowena
    July 20, 2020

    HI Natasha, will this work if cooked in the oven?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      July 20, 2020

      Hi Rowena, to be honest, I haven’t tried this recipe in the oven – I have always made it in the slow cooker so I hesitate to advise without trying it myself. If I were to test, I’d probably bake at 375 in a dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid for 3-4 hours or until the meat is very tender.

      Reply

  • Lai Neris
    July 13, 2020

    woh I am happy to find this website through google.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      July 13, 2020

      I’m glad you discovered our blog! I hope you enjoyed this recipe!

      Reply

  • Ann
    April 2, 2020

    Wow!! Another winning recipe
    My first time cooking a brisket & family loved it! Mine was 2.2lbs, I halved the ingredients but still cooked 7hours in slow cooker- PERFECT!!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      April 3, 2020

      Love it! Thanks for sharing that with us Ann and for giving an awesome review.

      Reply

  • ERIC STUMP
    December 23, 2019

    Can you use smoked mushrooms in this recipe?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      December 23, 2019

      Hi Eric, I honestly have never tried working with smoked mushrooms so I’m not sure.

      Reply

    • Ipek Kaynar Rohloff
      December 26, 2019

      Is 7-8 hours time for high or low setting of the slow cooker? Also, if I have 2lbs beef brisket instead of 4lb, how do I adjust the cooking time?

      Reply

      • Ann
        April 1, 2020

        Hi Ipek! I also have a 2lb brisket; would be interested in knowing if time changed in slow cooker. May I ask how yours turned out?

        Reply

  • Julie Schehr
    August 13, 2019

    Simple ingredients and it made a lovely gravy which I thickened and served with mashed potatoes. Next time I will use low sodium as it seemed a little salty, but nothing a little agave didn’t take care of in the gravy. Love your recipes. Thanks for something new.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 13, 2019

      You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it Julie!

      Reply

  • Brian Voorhees
    June 3, 2019

    Will make great sandwiches with some slaw on a nice bun

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 4, 2019

      Yes! That would be a perfect combination!

      Reply

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