Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Brisket is a tender and savory recipe, which is made with beef brisket and onion soup mix. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, ready in about 8 to 9 hours.
Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Brisket Ingredients
- 1 (1 oz.) envelope onion soup mix
- 1 Tbsp. light brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
- 1 (3 lb) piece of beef brisket (flat cut)
- 8 fresh thyme sprigs
- 8 whole garlic cloves
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 lb. carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 lb. golden baby potatoes
- 3 celery stalks, cut into 1″ pieces
- 1 large sweet onion, cut into 8 wedges
- 2 1/2 cups beef stock
- 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
How To Make Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Brisket
- Make the Rub and Season: In a small bowl, combine the onion soup mix, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle this mixture over both sides of the brisket and rub it into the meat.
- Layer in the Slow Cooker: Place the brisket, fat cap side down, into a 6 to 8-quart slow cooker. Place the thyme sprigs, garlic cloves, and bay leaves on top of the brisket. Arrange the carrots, potatoes, celery, and onion wedges on top of and around the meat.
- Add the Liquid: In a liquid measuring cup, whisk together the beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, and cornstarch until the cornstarch is completely dissolved and there are no lumps. Pour this liquid into the slow cooker around the meat and vegetables.
- Slow Cook Until Tender: Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 5-6 hours or on LOW for 8 hours. The brisket is done when it is tender enough to slice easily but not completely falling apart.
- Slice and Serve: Remove the brisket from the slow cooker and transfer it to a cutting board, fat cap side up. Let it rest for a few minutes. Remove and discard the thyme sprigs and bay leaves from the pot. Thinly slice the brisket against the grain. Serve alongside the vegetables, with a generous drizzle of the gravy from the slow cooker.
Recipe Tips
- What’s the best cut of brisket to use? The recipe specifies a “flat cut” brisket, which is the leaner part of the brisket. It’s perfect for slicing neatly after cooking.
- How do I get the most tender brisket? The key is the low and slow cooking method. Don’t rush it. The 8 hours on the LOW setting is ideal for breaking down the tough connective tissues in the brisket, making it perfectly tender.
- Do I need to sear the brisket first? This recipe is a super easy “dump and go” method that skips the searing step but still develops great flavor from the onion soup mix rub and the long cook time. This makes it perfect for a busy day.
- How do I know when the brisket is done? The goal for a sliced brisket is for it to be very tender but not so soft that it completely shreds when you try to lift it. A fork should slide into the meat with very little resistance.
What To Serve With Crock Pot Brisket
This is a wonderful one-pot meal with the potatoes and carrots already included. The rich gravy is perfect for serving with:
- Southern-style cornbread
- Fluffy dinner rolls
- A simple side of steamed green beans or a crisp green salad
How To Store Crock Pot Brisket
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers, including the gravy and vegetables, in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Allow the brisket and gravy to cool completely. You can freeze them together or separately in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Crock Pot Brisket Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 1/8th of recipe
- Calories: 440 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Protein: 38g
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Sodium: 1450mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Why is my brisket still tough after 8 hours?
A tough brisket almost always means it just needs more time. All slow cookers can vary slightly in temperature. If it’s not tender, just put the lid back on and continue cooking on LOW, checking for tenderness every 45-60 minutes.
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Yes. If you can’t find brisket, a well-marbled chuck roast is the best substitute and can be cooked using the exact same method and timing.
Why add the cornstarch at the beginning?
Adding the cornstarch to the cold beef stock at the beginning is a classic slow cooker trick. It allows the gravy to thicken gradually and perfectly over the long cooking time without becoming lumpy.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Baked Beans Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Candy Recipe
Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Brisket Recipe
Description
A fall-apart tender beef brisket and hearty vegetables slow-cooked in a rich, savory onion gravy until perfectly tender and easy to slice.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine the onion soup mix, sugar, salt, and pepper; rub the mixture all over the brisket.
- Place the brisket in a 6 to 8-quart slow cooker, fat-cap down.
- Top the brisket with thyme, garlic, and bay leaves, then arrange all the vegetables on top and around the meat.
- In a bowl, whisk the beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, and cornstarch until smooth. Pour this liquid into the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 5-6 hours, until the brisket is tender.
- Let the brisket rest for a few minutes before slicing it against the grain.
- Serve the brisket and vegetables with the gravy from the slow cooker.
Notes
- u003cliu003eThe most important tip for this recipe is to allow the full, uninterrupted cooking time for the brisket to become perfectly tender.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eFor the best flavor, use a u0022flat cutu0022 brisket, which is leaner and perfect for slicing.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThis is a true u0022dump and gou0022 recipe; there is no need to sear the meat before slow cooking, which makes it incredibly easy.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eWhisking the cornstarch into the cold beef stock before adding it to the pot is the secret to a perfectly smooth, lump-free gravy.u003c/liu003e
Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Brisket Recipe
