Tender Slow Cooker Honey BBQ Beef Brisket
A tender, fall-apart beef brisket slow cooked with a honey BBQ sauce that balances smoky, tangy, and sweet flavors, perfect for easy weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 to 10 hours (low) or 5 to 6 hours (high)
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes to 10 hours 15 minutes (low) or 5 hours 15 minutes to 6 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 pounds beef brisket (flat cut preferred)
- 1/4 cup honey (85g)
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (240ml), smoky and tangy like Stubb’s Original or Sweet Baby Ray’s
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (30ml)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (15ml)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Trim excess fat from the brisket, leaving about a 1/4-inch layer for flavor.
- In a mixing bowl, combine honey, BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
- Place thinly sliced onion at the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Place the brisket fat side up on top of the onions and pour the sauce evenly over the brisket.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 5 to 6 hours. Flip the brisket halfway through cooking if possible.
- Check for doneness; the brisket should be fork-tender and have an internal temperature of about 195°F (90°C).
- Remove brisket from slow cooker and let rest for 15 minutes.
- Slice against the grain or shred the brisket, then return to the sauce to soak up the flavors.
- Serve with extra sauce spooned over the top.
Notes
Use a robust smoky BBQ sauce like Stubb’s Original or Sweet Baby Ray’s for best flavor. Flipping the brisket halfway through cooking helps even sauce coverage. Let the brisket rest before slicing to retain juices. If sauce is too thin, simmer it in a saucepan to thicken. Leftovers taste better after a day and can be used in sandwiches or tacos. For gluten-free, verify BBQ sauce and Worcestershire sauce ingredients. Instant Pot cooking option: 90 minutes high pressure plus sauté sauce to thicken.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 4 ounces (113
- Calories: 280320
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 28
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