Cooking pork brisket in a slow cooker is one of the best ways to make this tough cut of meat incredibly tender and flavorful. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can have fork-tender brisket with rich, complex flavors ready for your next family dinner or backyard barbecue.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to cook pork brisket in the slow cooker, from choosing the right cut of meat to testing for doneness. You’ll learn tips and tricks for maximizing flavor, preventing dryness, and getting perfectly cooked brisket every time.
Benefits of Cooking Pork Brisket in a Slow Cooker
There are several key reasons why using a slow cooker is the ideal way to cook pork brisket:
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Tenderizes Tough Cuts The low, slow cooking breaks down the collagen and connective tissues in brisket over several hours, resulting in incredibly tender meat
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Infuses Deep Flavor: The long cook time allows the meat to soak up spices, sauce, and aromatics for rich, complex flavors.
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Prevents Drying Out The moist, enclosed environment of the slow cooker keeps brisket from drying out like it can on the grill or in the oven.
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Frees Up Oven Space: You can cook the brisket unattended in the slow cooker while using your oven for side dishes.
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Adds Convenience: Toss the ingredients in before work or errands, and dinner is ready when you get home!
Choosing the Right Pork Brisket
Selecting the right cut of pork brisket is key for the best results when cooking in the slow cooker:
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Opt for Boneless: Boneless cuts cook more evenly and fit better in the slow cooker.
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Choose Well-Marbled: Look for good marbling, or white streaks of fat throughout the meat, to keep it moist as it cooks.
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Get the Right Size: Pick a 3-4 lb brisket to fit in most 6-qt slow cookers. Too large won’t cook evenly.
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Trim Excess Fat: Trim off any thick, hard exterior fat before cooking for better texture. Leave a thin layer.
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Inspect for Quality: Avoid briskets with dark or dry looking areas. Opt for fresher looking cuts.
Getting the right brisket sets you up for tender, juicy meat every time. Now let’s talk prep!
Preparing Pork Brisket for the Slow Cooker
Proper preparation is key to making sure your brisket comes out perfectly cooked:
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Trim Brisket: Use a sharp knife to trim off any excess hard fat or silver skin. Leave about 1/4 inch of fat.
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Season Generously: Coat all sides in a flavorful dry rub. Let rest 30 mins for rub to penetrate meat.
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Sear Brisket (optional): Quickly brown brisket on all sides in a skillet for a caramelized crust.
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Add Aromatics: Place slices of onion, whole garlic cloves, fresh herbs in slow cooker.
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Use a Liquid: Add 1 cup broth, beer, cola, etc. to help keep brisket moist.
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Insert Temperature Probe: Use an instant read or wireless probe to monitor temp.
Now your brisket is ready for the slow cooker!
Step-by-Step Slow Cooker Pork Brisket Recipe
Follow these simple steps for perfect brisket:
Ingredients:
- 3-4 lb pork brisket
- 2 tbsp dry rub
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 cup beef broth
- BBQ sauce, to taste
Instructions:
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Trim excess fat from brisket. Generously coat with dry rub. Let rest 30 mins.
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Sear brisket on all sides in skillet until nicely browned (optional).
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Place onion and garlic in 6-qt slow cooker. Add 1 cup broth.
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Nestle seared brisket fat-side up in slow cooker. Insert temp probe.
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Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours until fork tender.
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Transfer brisket to plate. Tent with foil; let rest 15 mins.
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Thinly slice brisket across the grain. Serve with BBQ sauce.
The long, low cooking results in incredibly moist, fall-apart tender brisket with amazing texture and mouthwatering flavors!
Handy Tips for Slow Cooker Pork Brisket
Use these handy tips for the very best brisket:
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Keep an eye on the temperature – cook until it reaches 200°F internally.
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Add more liquid during cooking if needed to prevent drying out.
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Wrap brisket in foil on top if browning too quickly.
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Let brisket rest 15-20 mins before slicing for juicier meat.
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Always slice brisket across the grain for tender texture.
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Save the delicious brisket drippings to make a sauce or gravy.
Flavor Variations for Slow Cooker Brisket
Customize your brisket by swapping out flavors:
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Dry Rubs: Cajun seasoning, coffee rub, chili powder, lemon pepper
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Braising Liquids: Beer, cola, apple cider, pineapple juice
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Aromatics: Chili peppers, fresh rosemary, diced celery
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Sauces: Bourbon BBQ, hoisin, ginger-soy glaze, chimichurri
Side Dishes for Slow Cooker Pork Brisket
Here are some tasty sides to serve with your fork-tender brisket:
- Buttery mashed potatoes
- Mac and cheese
- Coleslaw or potato salad
- Corn on the cob
- Skillet corn bread
- Baked beans
- Collard greens
A simple green salad completes the meal beautifully. For special occasions, you could also make some homemade bread rolls.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Cooker Brisket
How long should I cook a 3 lb pork brisket in the slow cooker?
- Cook on LOW setting for about 8-10 hours, until it reaches an internal temperature of 195-200°F. Cook times can vary slightly based on size.
Should I sear the brisket first?
- Searing is optional, but it adds nice caramelized flavor. Just sear for 1-2 minutes per side in a very hot skillet if desired.
What temperature should pork brisket reach when done?
- Cook until it hits 195-200°F internally for perfectly tender meat. Always use a meat thermometer for accuracy.
Can I freeze leftover brisket?
- Yes! Leftover cooked brisket freezes very well for up to 3 months. Let cool completely before freezing in an airtight container.
Conclusion
Cooking pork brisket in a slow cooker really couldn’t be easier. With some simple preparation, a flavorful dry rub, and the right cooking time and temperature, you’ll be rewarded with incredibly moist, fall-apart tender brisket bursting with mouthwatering flavors. Experiment with flavored braising liquids, spice rubs, and sauces to make this hearty dish your own. Serve up tender slices of brisket alongside hearty sides like mashed potatoes and you’ve got an amazing comforting meal ready with little hands-on effort. Give this recipe a try soon for your best slow cooker brisket yet!