Lo has always loved BBQ food, but when we lived in Texas, he became obsessed.

Not only did he learn how to smoke meat, but he also realized that his favorite kind of meat is brisket. It’s tender, it’s flavorful, and it’s one of our favorite dishes to make for family dinnersholidays, and special occasions.

It may seem difficult or a little more fancy, but we promise you this crock pot brisket recipe will become a new favorite!

Why we love it:

Table of Contents

Ingredients

  • 1 (3 pound) beef brisket Brisket is typically sold in two different cuts: flat and point. Choose the flat cut, if possible, as the thick fat cap will aid in giving more flavor to your brisket.
  • 1 (2-ounce) envelope dry onion soup mix
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder or 3-4 cloves of minced fresh garlic. You can also season with salt and black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar – light or dark brown sugar
  • 2 (12-ounce) bottles Heinz chili sauce
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How to Make Brisket in a Crock Pot

  1. SEASON. Place 1 (3 pound) brisket in the crock pot. Sprinkle 1 (2-ounce) envelope onion soup mix, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, and 1 tablespoon brown sugar over the top of the brisket, and massage gently into the meat.
    • Pour 2 (12-ounce) bottles chili sauce over the top, covering the meat completely.
  2. COOK. Cook on low heat for 8-10 hours. Remove the brisket from the slow cooker and slice against the grain. Pour the sauce over the brisket slices to serve with some Best Mashed Potatoes or a side dish of your choice.
  3. Allow the crock pot brisket to rest for 10-20 minutes before cutting.

Instant Pot Instructions

  • Place the brisket in the Instant Pot, fat side up. Sprinkle with onion soup mix, garlic powder, and brown sugar. Massage into the meat then add the chili sauce over the top.
  • Cook on high pressure for 80-90 minutes, then let naturally release for 15 minutes before manually releasing the rest of the pressure. 
5 from 304 votes

Crock Pot Brisket Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
Try this effortless crock pot brisket recipe for delectably juicy and tender meat that will melt in your mouth.
Servings: 8
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 8 hours
Total: 8 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 (3 pound) beef brisket
  • 1 (2-ounce) envelope dry onion soup mix
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 (12-ounce) bottles Heinz chili sauce

Instructions 

  • Place brisket in the crock pot. Sprinkle on the onion soup mix, garlic powder, and brown sugar over the top of the brisket, and massage gently into the meat. Pour chili sauce over the top, covering the meat completely.
  • Cook on low heat for 8-10 hours. Remove the brisket from the slow cooker and slice against the grain. Pour the sauce over the brisket slices to serve.

Video

Notes

Recipe Tips.
  • We like using flat-cut brisket, but point-cut also works. Don’t trim the fat, it will help give flavor and keep moisture.
  • I recommend ½ pound per person then add 1-2 pounds to that total to account for those who wish to take a little more.
  • You can brown the brisket before adding it to the crock pot but it is not necessary. 
  • Leftovers make amazing sandwiches!
Store leftover brisket and the juices in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze it for up to 2 months. 

Nutrition

Calories: 361kcal, Carbohydrates: 19g, Protein: 38g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 105mg, Sodium: 1283mg, Potassium: 885mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 578IU, Vitamin C: 14mg, Calcium: 26mg, Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQ

  • Browning in a large skillet before putting it in the slow cooker is not necessary, but can add extra flavor. Or broil the brisket on a baking sheet in the oven to get crispy bits.
  • I recommend ½ pound per person then add 2 pounds to that total to account for those who wish to take a little more. Leftover slow cooker beef brisket makes a delicious sandwich! Just add a homemade BBQ Sauce.
  • Place cooled leftovers and liquid into an airtight container and store it in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze this beef brisket recipe for up to 2 months.

About Kristyn

Kristyn Merkley is a published cookbook author, wife, mom of six, and major food enthusiast! For the past 15 years, she has been sharing foolproof, family-friendly recipes—each one tested in her kitchen—that anyone can master. As a seasoned recipe creator, she loves making cooking simple, stress-free, and totally doable for everyone!

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5 from 304 votes (278 ratings without comment)

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82 Comments

  1. charlotte woods says:

    5 stars
    sounds great going try it

  2. Sharon says:

    Can I do a larger or two pieces of brisket for a group and double all the ingredients?

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Yes you could! If your crock pot will hold the meat, I imagine that would work just fine.

  3. Carina Albarran says:

    There is no recipe. Hard to even know where to go because this page is full of ads

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Hi Carina! There is a button you can click/tap at the top that says “Jump to Recipe” and that will take you right to the recipe. The ads help enable us to keep all of our recipes and content free! Thanks for understanding. Hope you enjoy the recipe!

  4. Sue Ellis says:

    5 stars
    Oh my goodness!!! What a super easy and delicious meal. Our first attempt at brisket in a crock pot and it will be the only way to cook a brisket from now on. The meat is super tender as it melts lts in your mouth. The only knife needed is to cut and serve. Try it as you won’t be sorry. Thanks so much for a wonderful recipe.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      You’re welcome! I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed the brisket recipe! Thanks for the kind review.

  5. Patsy Nicholson says:

    5 stars
    OMG this was so delish. My family loved it. Thank you

  6. Jay Houston says:

    5 stars
    Turned out so tender and delicious! I left out the brown sugar and it was still amazing. Highly recommend.

  7. Amy Van Haasen says:

    5 stars
    I made this yesterday. I was worried I either cooked it too long, or not enough. My brisket usually turns out shredded and I am never able to cut it into slices.

    I read somewhere that if it shreds around the edges and when you pick it up with tongs it bends a little in the middle but doesn’t fall apart, it is done.

    It turned out great and I was able to cut it into slices after resting. It is delicious!!!

  8. Carol A Anderson says:

    5 stars
    Delicious! I made it for friends last year and I’m going to be making it for Christmas this year; it’s worthy of holiday meal status!

  9. Mel says:

    5 stars
    Instead of chili sauce I always use Rotel tomatoes with green chilis and a little concentrated beef broth base with a touch of liquid smoke. So good!! We use leftovers in burritos

  10. Karen says:

    Hi! I’m looking forward to making this delicious recipe! I would like to double the brisket for a crowd. Shall I also double the other ingredients?