Slow-Cooked Brisket with Homemade Barbecue Sauce – A Mouthwatering BBQ Feast
If you’re craving a hearty, melt-in-your-mouth brisket with rich, smoky barbecue flavors, this Slow-Cooked Brisket with Homemade Barbecue Sauce recipe is a must-try. This brisket is slowly cooked to perfection in a savory homemade barbecue sauce, making it incredibly tender and flavorful. With a homemade spice rub and an irresistible barbecue sauce made from scratch, this dish is perfect for a special occasion, family gathering, or simply satisfying your BBQ cravings.
Why You’ll Love This Slow-Cooked Brisket Recipe
Slow-cooked brisket is the ultimate comfort food, and this recipe takes it to the next level with bold flavors from a spice rub, a tangy-sweet homemade barbecue sauce, and the perfect low-and-slow cooking method. The brisket is seared first, locking in its rich flavor, then slow-cooked until it’s fall-apart tender. Finally, a quick broil gives it that delicious caramelized finish. The homemade barbecue sauce adds a deep, complex flavor that perfectly complements the tender meat. Whether you’re serving it up for a casual dinner or a special occasion, this brisket is sure to impress.
Ingredients:
For the Slow-Cooked Brisket:
- 4-5 pounds beef brisket, trimmed of excess fat
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon beef bouillon
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce
- 1/2 cup homemade barbecue sauce (see below for recipe)
For the Spice Rub:
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons EACH garlic powder, salt
- 1 teaspoon EACH onion powder, chipotle powder, black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for more heat)
For the Homemade Barbecue Sauce:
- 1 1/2 cups ketchup
- 1/3 cup molasses
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup seedless blackberry preserves
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon reserved Spice Rub
- 1 tablespoon mesquite liquid smoke (optional but recommended)
Directions:
1. Preheat and Prepare the Brisket:
- Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup. - Prepare the Brisket:
Spray a 6-quart (or larger) slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Trim the brisket of excess fat, rinse it, and pat it dry. If the brisket is too large for your slow cooker, cut it in half. - Make the Spice Rub:
In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the Spice Rub ingredients. Remove 1 tablespoon of the rub and set it aside for the barbecue sauce. Rub the remaining spice mixture evenly over the brisket, ensuring it’s well coated. Let the brisket sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 24 hours to enhance the flavor.
2. Sear the Brisket:
- Bake the Brisket:
Place the brisket on the prepared baking sheet and bake uncovered for 30 minutes at 425°F. This will sear the meat and lock in its flavor.
3. Prepare the Barbecue Sauce:
- Make the Sauce:
While the brisket is baking, prepare the barbecue sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together the ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, seedless blackberry preserves, apple cider vinegar, reserved Spice Rub, and liquid smoke (if using). Set aside.
4. Slow Cook the Brisket:
- Add to Slow Cooker:
Remove 1/2 cup of the barbecue sauce and add it to the slow cooker along with 1 cup water, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and beef bouillon. Whisk to combine. - Cook the Brisket:
Carefully transfer the seared brisket to the slow cooker, making sure as much of the brisket is submerged in the liquid as possible. Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours, flipping the brisket halfway through the cooking time. The brisket is done when it’s tender and pulls apart easily. If it’s still tough, it needs more time.
5. Broil and Finish:
- Broil the Brisket:
Once the brisket is tender, transfer it to a foil-lined baking sheet. Brush it generously with barbecue sauce and broil for 5-10 minutes until the sauce is caramelized and sticky. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning. - Heat the Remaining Barbecue Sauce:
While the brisket is broiling, heat the remaining barbecue sauce in a microwave or saucepan until warm. - Slice and Serve:
After broiling, brush the brisket again with barbecue sauce. Slice the brisket across the grain and serve with the warm barbecue sauce on the side. Enjoy!
Notes:
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 hours (plus 30 minutes for searing)
- Total Time: 9 hours
- Calories: 450 kcal per serving
- Servings: 6-8 servings
A Flavorful and Tender BBQ Feast
This Slow-Cooked Brisket with Homemade Barbecue Sauce is the perfect dish for any BBQ lover. The slow-cooked brisket is tender, juicy, and packed with flavor thanks to the spice rub and homemade barbecue sauce. Whether you’re serving this at a family gathering or enjoying it as a weeknight meal, it’s sure to be a hit with everyone.
Slow-Cooked Brisket with Homemade Barbecue Sauce
- Total Time: 9 hours
- Yield: 6-8 1x
Description
There’s something truly magical about a slow-cooked brisket that’s been gently seared, bathed in a flavorful barbecue sauce, and cooked to tender perfection over hours. The homemade BBQ sauce, infused with the richness of molasses, the tang of apple cider vinegar, and the sweetness of blackberry preserves, coats the brisket in layers of deep, smoky flavors that will make every bite unforgettable.
Ingredients
Slow Cooker
4–5 pounds beef brisket, trimmed of excess fat
1 cup water
1 tablespoon beef bouillon
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce
1/2 cup homemade barbecue sauce (see directions below)
Spice Rub:
2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 tsp EACH garlic powder, salt
1 tsp EACH onion powder, chipotle powder, pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for more heat)
Barbecue Sauce:
1 1/2 cups ketchup
1/3 cup molasses
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup seedless blackberry preserves
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon reserved Spice Rub from above
1 tablespoon mesquite liquid smoke (optional but recommended)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup. Set aside.
Spray a 6-quart (or larger) slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Trim brisket of excess fat, rinse, and pat dry. If the brisket is too long, cut it in half to fit in the slow cooker.
In a medium bowl, whisk together all Spice Rub ingredients. Remove 1 tablespoon of the rub and reserve it for the barbecue sauce. Rub the remaining spice mixture evenly all over the brisket, then place the brisket on the prepared baking sheet. Let the brisket sit at room temperature for 30 minutes or refrigerate up to 24 hours, if desired.
Bake the brisket uncovered for 30 minutes at 425°F to sear the meat.
While the brisket is baking, prepare the barbecue sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together all Barbecue Sauce ingredients with the reserved Spice Rub.
Remove 1/2 cup of the barbecue sauce and add it to the slow cooker along with 1 cup water, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and beef bouillon. Whisk to combine. Carefully transfer the seared brisket to the slow cooker, ensuring as much of the brisket is submerged in the liquid as possible.
Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours, flipping the brisket halfway through cooking, until the brisket is very tender. If the brisket is tough, it needs to cook longer.
Once tender, remove the brisket from the slow cooker and place it on a foil-lined baking sheet. Brush generously with barbecue sauce and broil for 5-10 minutes until slightly caramelized.
While broiling, heat the remaining barbecue sauce in a microwave or saucepan until warm. Brush the brisket again with the sauce and slice it across the grain before serving. Serve with the extra barbecue sauce and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 hours (plus 30 minutes for searing)
Nutrition
- Calories: 450