Texas-style brisket brings to mind thick slices of tender beef kissed with smoke, a perfect vehicle for sweet and tangy barbecue sauce. This slow-cooker brisket recipe gives you similar results, without having to spend hours stoking the fire of a smoker or grill.
What is beef brisket?
Brisket is a cut of beef that comes from the chest of the cow. Because these are well-used muscles, it contains a lot of connective tissue. As a result, it can be quite tough if not cooked correctly. Unlike with more tender cuts of beef, low and slow is the way to go with brisket. When cooked correctly, brisket is incredibly flavorful, juicy and tender.
Texas-Style Slow-Cooker Beef Brisket
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon celery salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke, optional
- 1 fresh beef brisket (6 pounds)
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 2 bay leaves
- BARBECUE SAUCE:
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1/4 cup cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
Directions
-
- In a large bowl or shallow dish, combine the Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, garlic, celery salt, pepper and, if desired, liquid smoke. Cut brisket in half; add to bowl and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Transfer beef to a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker; add broth and bay leaves. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until meat is tender.
- For sauce, in a small saucepan, saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the remaining ingredients; heat through.
- Remove brisket from the slow cooker; discard bay leaves. Place 1 cup cooking juices in a measuring cup; skim fat. Discard remaining juices. Add reserved juices to the barbecue sauce.
- Return brisket to the slow cooker; top with sauce mixture. Cover and cook on high for 30 minutes to allow flavors to blend. Thinly slice beef across the grain; serve with sauce.
Nutrition Facts
6 ounces cooked beef with 1/4 cup sauce: 381 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 96mg cholesterol, 548mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 1g fiber), 47g protein.