Brisket Barbecue // Crockpot Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is my brisket tough in slow cooker? ›

Brisket is a cut of beef that really needs a long, slow cook to break down all the connective tissue. Otherwise, it'll be tough and chewy. After several hours in a slow cooker, you'll be rewarded with a deliciously tender and succulent meat that pulls apart.

Brown brisket in a small amount of oil over medium-high heat. Or sear fat side up in a heated 500 ˚F oven for 20 minutes to develop flavor. Add a small amount of liquid (water, broth, or wine) to a Dutch oven, cover tightly, and simmer gently over low heat or in a 275 ˚F oven for 3 to 4 hours, or until tender.

Cooking brisket is pretty simple. All that it really needs is a long and slow cooking time. That's why I love to make it in my slow cooker. However, if you are short on time, you can also use your Instant Pot to make it, with pretty similar results.

Step 1: Sear the beef: The first step to making a brisket in the Crockpot is to start outside the slow cooker. Though it takes a little more work, searing the beef until it's a deep golden brown adds a ton of flavor.

Start checking on the meat according to the time recommendations in the recipe and you'll be golden. Should brisket be submerged in the slow cooker? The meat doesn't need to be swimming in broth, but yes, it should be at least partially submerged. Here, 2 1/2 cups is plenty for a 3-pound piece of meat.

First off, you'd smoke or bake the brisket at 225 degrees for 3 hours; then you'd wrap it in foil and keep cooking it for 2 hours. Finally, uncovered and cook for 1 more hour before letting it rest for a few minutes prior serving.

The temperature of the meat begins to rise again -- which you want because brisket gets more tender the longer you cook it.

The pot of the slow cooker usually sits on a base that houses the heating element on the bottom, while Crockpots have their pots inside of a container (or crock) and get heating from all sides. Therefore, slow cookers heat up slower than crockpots, with the heat level higher on the bottom of the pot.

Yes, it is in fact possible to overcook brisket in a slow cooker. While it is a tough cut of meat and slow cooking it over a long period of time is what makes it tender, cooking it for too long will result in mushy and unappetizing brisket.

Yep. Even slow cooking doesn't prevent overcooking if your brisket is in for too long or too hot. Here's what happens to your brisket if it's been overcooked too long in a liquid…

What is the best liquid to keep brisket moist? ›

Keeping a water pan in the smoker is the best way to retain moisture. After the first 2-3 hours start spritzing your brisket with water, apple juice, hot sauce or apple cider vinegar every 30 minutes to an hour. This helps keep it moist and stops it from burning.

Once seared, place brisket in foil pan, fat side up, and smoke, uncovered for 2 hours. Flip brisket and smoke for 1 hour. At this point, the juices inside are under a fair amount of pressure. It is important not to pierce the meat from this point until it is done.

Pour apple cider vinegar over the brisket. The vinegar will help tenderize the meat and will add sweetness to it. Proper brisket should be cooked low and slow in a smoker, using wood or charcoal.

The meat was overcooked: Slow cookers are known for their ability to tenderize meat, but if the meat is cooked for too long, it can become overcooked and tough. It's important to follow the recommended cooking time for your recipe to ensure that the meat is cooked to the correct doneness.

OK, most of the problem with tough brisket is usually undercooking. The way to solve this is to cook to internal temperature of about 95C or 203f.