Instant Pot or Slow Cooker Brisket

Sweet and tangy, this Slow Cooker Brisket is a classic! Its largely hands-off cooking makes this a breeze to put together. It’s perfect as a holiday centerpiece, in tacos, as a hash, and so many other ways!

We also share how to make it in the Instant Pot, too!

The Best Slow Cooker Brisket Recipe

Cooking brisket in the slow cooker is one of my favorite ways to make it! Not only is it simple to do, but it also makes the house smell amazing while it is cooking!

I can’t help but think of the traditional Jewish holidays I celebrated with my family growing up, where brisket was often served when I’m making it.

Now I love to throw in my slow cooker any time of year and have recently started making it in the Instant Pot, too.

This brisket is slightly sweet, tangy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Brisket makes really, really awesome tacos, and fabulous breakfast when paired with eggs!

Ingredients Needed

Scroll down for the full recipe!

• Beef Brisket
• Onion + Garlic
• Beef Broth
• Ketchup
• Coconut Sugar
• Salt + Pepper

How to Make It

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.

• First, the brisket should be salted, and let come close to room temperature, as you should do with any large cut of meat.
• Next, the meat should be seared. Browning the meat helps develop flavor.
• Finally, you’ll place the brisket along with all the remaining ingredients inside of the slow cooker (or Instant Pot) and let it cook until it is fork-tender.

What is Brisket?

The brisket refers to a specific cut of beef from the breast or lower chest. It is a tough cut of meat, that needs to be cooked low and slow to melt away any of the tough connective tissues.

It is the cut of meat that is used to make corned beef or pastrami, but making those also involves the process of brining/curing the meats. For this recipe, we’re simply just cooking a beef brisket without any type of brining.

How to Serve It

Brisket can be served as a centerpiece of a celebration or typical dinner. Serve alongside your family’s favorites sides such as roasted veggies, traditional latkes (or sweet potato latkes), and a big salad.

Brisket also makes amazing tacos with all of your favorite fixings like Pickled Onions and Homemade Guacamole.

And if you haven’t tried brisket hash, now is the time!

Can you cook this in an Instant Pot?

Yes! Here are the directions:

1. Pat brisket dry with paper towels and sprinkle with a generous amount of salt on each side. Let brisket sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
2. Heat oil using the saute function of a 6 or 8 quart Instant Pot. Once hot, brown brisket on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the brisket and shut off saute function.
3. Place onions and garlic inside of the liner and then place the brisket on top.
4. Whisk together broth, ketchup, sugar, salt and pepper. Pour over the brisket.
5. Cook on high pressure for 60 minutes, with a natural release.
6. Once done, shred the brisket, or slice across the grain.
7. Serve in tacos, or as a main dish for a celebration.

Other Slow Cooker Recipes:

• Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
• Beef Barbacoa Recipe (Slow Cooker or Instant Pot)
• Two-Ingredient Salsa Chicken (Instant Pot or Slow Cooker)
• Classic Chicken Soup (Slow Cooker & Instant Pot)