Crock Pot Brisket Recipe – With Just 5 Ingredients!
When it comes to comfort food, nothing beats the savory tenderness of a brisket. But not everyone has the time or expertise to monitor a traditional slow-cooked brisket. That’s where the magic of cooking a brisket in a crock pot comes into play. This method simplifies the process without compromising on flavor, offering a hands-off cooking experience that’s perfect for busy individuals.
With just five simple ingredients, you can prepare a meal that feels both gourmet and effortlessly achievable. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or a beginner, this crock pot brisket recipe ensures delicious results every time, making it a reliable favorite for any weeknight or special occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Brisket
If you’re looking for a meal that guarantees flavor and tenderness with minimal fuss, this crock pot brisket recipe is the answer. Using the slow cooker beef brisket with onion soup mix, this recipe transforms a simple piece of meat into a mouthwatering feast.
The slow cooker works its magic, ensuring that the brisket is not only flavorful but also so tender it practically falls apart with a fork. This cooking method is ideal for those who value both quality and convenience.
It allows the brisket to absorb all the rich flavors of the onion soup mix, while the low and slow heat makes it unbelievably soft without any complex cooking steps. This approachable method guarantees a delicious, stress-free meal every time.
Essential Ingredients
To make this delightful brisket, you’ll need the following ingredients, along with suggestions for substitutions to tailor it to your taste:
- 3-4 pounds brisket: Choose a well-marbled piece for the best flavor and tenderness.
- 1 packet onion soup mix: Essential for easy, flavorful seasoning. Substitute with a blend of dried onion flakes, onion powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt if preferred.
- 1 cup beef broth: Adds moisture and helps in creating a rich sauce. Chicken broth or vegetable broth can be used as alternatives.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced: For added aroma and depth of flavor. Garlic powder can be used in a pinch.
- Optional vegetables: Such as carrots and potatoes, cut into chunks. These can be added to make it a one-pot meal.
Feel free to adjust the quantities based on the size of your crock pot or personal preference.
Equipment Needed
To ensure that your crock pot brisket cooks perfectly, you’ll need the following equipment:
- Crock Pot: A 6-quart slow cooker is ideal for cooking a 3-4 pound brisket, allowing enough space for both the meat and any additional ingredients like vegetables. If your brisket is larger, consider using an 8-quart model.
- Sharp Knife: A good-quality sharp knife is essential for trimming the brisket’s fat cap before cooking.
- Cutting Board: Use a large cutting board for trimming and preparing the brisket and vegetables.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurately measuring the broth and seasoning.
- Tongs: Handy for lifting the brisket in and out of the crock pot.
- Aluminum Foil or Cooking Lid: Necessary for covering the crock pot during cooking to retain heat and moisture.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions for Crock Pot Brisket Recipe
Follow these detailed steps on how to cook a brisket in a crock pot to achieve perfect results:
- Prepare the Brisket: Trim excess fat from the brisket. Rub the onion soup mix thoroughly all over the meat.
- Layer the Ingredients: Place the minced garlic and optional vegetables at the bottom of the crock pot. Lay the brisket on top.
- Add Liquids: Pour the beef broth over the brisket, ensuring it is well distributed.
- Cook: Cover and set your crock pot to low. Cook for approximately 8 hours, or until the brisket is tender enough to be easily pierced with a fork.
- Rest and Serve: Once cooked, let the brisket rest before slicing against the grain. Serve warm with vegetables and enjoy the rich, flavorful juices from the pot.
Preparation Steps
Before the brisket can be slow-cooked to perfection, a few key preparation steps are necessary to ensure the best flavor and tenderness:
- Trimming the Fat: Begin by trimming any excess fat from the brisket. A small amount of fat can be left on to help keep the meat moist during cooking.
- Seasoning the Meat: Liberally apply the onion soup mix all over the brisket. For deeper flavor, you can let the seasoned brisket marinate in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight.
- Preparing the Crock Pot: If using, arrange a bed of optional vegetables like carrots and potatoes at the bottom of the crock pot. This not only adds flavor but also lifts the brisket slightly, allowing for even cooking.
Crock Pot Cooking
Once your brisket is seasoned and ready, follow these steps to cook it in the crock pot:
- Layering the Ingredients: Place the seasoned brisket on top of the vegetables in the crock pot, if used. Spread minced garlic over the brisket.
- Adding Liquids: Pour the beef broth evenly over the brisket. This will help create a moist environment and prevent the meat from drying out.
- Setting the Temperature: Cover the crock pot and set it to low. This low and slow approach is key to making the brisket tender and flavorful.
- Cooking Time: Cook the brisket for approximately 8 hours. The low heat will gently break down the tough fibers of the meat, making it incredibly tender.
- Checking for Doneness: The brisket should be tender enough to shred easily with a fork. If it’s not, it can be cooked for an additional 1-2 hours on low.
Serving Suggestions
The beauty of a crock pot brisket is its versatility in serving options. Here are some ideal ways to enjoy this succulent dish:
- Classic Sides: Serve your brisket with traditional sides such as creamy mashed potatoes or buttered cornbread. These help to soak up the rich juices and round out the meal.
- Vegetable Accompaniments: Roasted vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and Brussels sprouts not only cook well in the crock pot alongside the brisket but also add a healthy and flavorful complement to the dish.
- Sandwiches: Slice the brisket thin and layer it in a crusty baguette with coleslaw, pickles, and a smear of barbecue sauce for a delicious brisket sandwich.
- Salads: For a lighter option, pair the brisket with a crisp green salad dressed in a vinaigrette or a fresh coleslaw.
- Over Grains: Serve shredded brisket over a bed of rice, quinoa, or couscous, drizzled with some of the cooking liquids for extra flavor.
Storage and Reheating
Proper storage and reheating are crucial to preserving the deliciousness of your crock pot brisket. Here’s how to keep it tasting fresh:
- Cooling Down: Allow the brisket to cool to room temperature before storing. This prevents condensation and bacterial growth.
- Refrigeration: Store the brisket in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the brisket in sealed freezer bags or airtight containers. Properly stored, the brisket can be frozen for up to 3 months. Be sure to label and date the bags.
Reheating:
To reheat, thaw the brisket in the refrigerator if frozen. For best results, reheat the brisket slowly in a covered skillet over low heat, or in the microwave with a splash of broth to keep it moist. You can also use a slow cooker set on low for a couple of hours to gently warm it up without drying it out.
FAQs
Instant Pot Instructions
If you prefer using an Instant Pot for your brisket, follow these steps for a tender and flavorful result:
- Preparation: Start by trimming the brisket as usual and rubbing it all over with the onion soup mix. Allow it to marinate if you have time, for deeper flavor.
- Sautéing: Turn your Instant Pot to the ‘Sauté’ mode. Add a bit of oil and sear each side of the brisket for about 3-4 minutes until nicely browned. This step adds a rich flavor to the final dish.
- Adding Ingredients: Place the garlic and any optional vegetables in the pot, then lay the brisket on top. Pour in the beef broth to help create steam and pressure, which are crucial for cooking.
- Cooking: Secure the lid, ensuring the valve is set to ‘Sealing’. Select the ‘Meat/Stew’ setting and adjust the time to 90 minutes for a 3-4 pound brisket.
- Natural Release: Once the cooking time is up, let the pressure release naturally. This will take about 20 minutes and helps to keep the meat tender.
- Serving: Open the lid once the pressure has fully released. Check that the brisket is tender, then transfer it to a cutting board, slice against the grain, and serve as desired.
Crock Pot Brisket Recipe – With Just 5 Ingredients!
Course: Main CourseCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy6
servings15
minutes30
minutes300
kcal8
minutesThis Crock Pot Brisket recipe offers a hassle-free way to prepare a tender and flavorful brisket with just a handful of ingredients, making it ideal for busy weeknights. Utilizing a slow cooker, this dish allows the brisket to simmer in its juices, ensuring it’s deliciously succulent and ready to serve without demanding much attention.
Ingredients
Brisket (3-4 pounds)
Onion soup mix (1 packet, approximately 40 grams)
Beef broth (1 cup, 240 mL)
Garlic, minced (3 cloves)
Optional: carrots and potatoes (cut into chunks)
Directions
- Prepare the Brisket: Trim any excess fat from the brisket to your preference. This helps in reducing the overall greasiness of the dish.
- Season the Meat: Rub the entire brisket with the onion soup mix, ensuring it’s evenly coated. This acts as the primary seasoning, providing flavor depth.
- Set the Crock Pot: Place the minced garlic and optional vegetables (like carrots and potatoes) at the bottom of the crock pot. These will serve as a bed for the brisket and add extra flavors.
- Add the Brisket: Lay the seasoned brisket on top of the garlic and vegetables.
- Add Liquids: Pour the beef broth over the brisket. The broth will help create a moist environment during cooking, making the brisket tender.
- Cook: Cover the crock pot and set it to cook on low for approximately 8 hours. The long cooking time allows the tough fibers of the brisket to break down, resulting in tender meat.
- Check and Rest: Once cooked, check that the brisket is tender. It should easily pull apart with a fork. Let it rest for about 10-20 minutes before slicing. This helps the juices redistribute throughout the meat, enhancing flavor and moisture.
- Serve: Slice the brisket against the grain for tenderness and serve with the cooked vegetables and some of the cooking juices as a sauce.
Recipe Video
Notes
- For a deeper flavor, consider marinating the brisket overnight with the onion soup mix before cooking. This extra step helps the flavors to penetrate more deeply into the meat.
Nutrition Information
Understanding the nutritional content of your meals is important for a balanced diet. Here is a breakdown of the approximate nutritional values per serving for the crock pot brisket:
- Calories: 300-350 kcal per serving (based on a 4 oz portion of brisket)
- Protein: 35 g – A great source of high-quality protein, which is essential for muscle repair and growth.
- Fat: 20 g – The fat content can vary depending on the cut of the brisket. Much of this is unsaturated fat, which can be beneficial when consumed in moderation.
- Carbohydrates: 5 g – Primarily from the onion soup mix and any added vegetables.
- Fiber: 1 g – If vegetables like carrots and potatoes are added, the fiber content will increase.
- Sodium: 800 mg – This can be high due to the onion soup mix; look for low-sodium options if sodium intake is a concern.
- Cholesterol: 75 mg – Typical for red meat dishes.
Additional Cooking Tips
To elevate your brisket to the next level, consider these expert tips:
- Maximizing Flavor:
- Marinate Overnight: If time allows, marinate your brisket with the onion soup mix and other seasonings overnight in the refrigerator. This enhances the meat’s flavor absorption.
- Sear Before Slow Cooking: Searing the brisket on all sides before placing it in the crock pot can develop a richer, deeper flavor through caramelization.
- Add Fresh Herbs: Incorporate fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme in the last hour of cooking for a fresh, aromatic twist.
- Ensuring Tenderness:
- Low and Slow: Always cook your brisket on low heat in the crock pot. High heat can cause the meat to become tough and chewy.
- Don’t Overcook: Even in a crock pot, it’s possible to overcook brisket. Start checking for tenderness after about 6 hours; it should be tender but not falling apart.
- Troubleshooting Common Issues:
- Dry Meat: If the brisket turns out dry, increase the amount of liquid initially used, or layer vegetables underneath the brisket to elevate it slightly from the base, allowing for more even heat distribution.
- Flavor Adjustment: If the flavor is too intense or too bland after cooking, adjust by adding a splash of wine for richness or a pinch of sugar to balance out acidity.
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