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Slow-Cooker Beer-Braised Brisket

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Jarren Vink

Broiling the brisket gives it a nice crisp top layer, but you can skip this step and it will still be delicious. Braising the meat with beer in the slow cooker, however? Absolutely necessary.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    6 Servings

Ingredients

3 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon olive oil
1½ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1½ teaspoons ground cumin
1½ teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons kosher salt, plus more
4-5 pounds untrimmed flat-cut brisket, cut into 4” pieces
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
1 12-oz can lager

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Finely chop garlic in a food processor. Add brown sugar, mustard, oil, black pepper, cumin, paprika, cayenne, and 2 tablespoons salt and process until smooth. Rub all over brisket, working into crevices. Wrap in plastic; chill 1–2 days. Let meat sit out until it’s room temperature, about 1 hour.

    Step 2

    Scatter onions in a 4–6-quart slow cooker and add brisket, fat side up. Add beer and 1 cup water. Cover and cook until meat is very tender, 7–8 hours on low or 4–5 hours on high.

    Step 3

    Heat broiler. Transfer brisket, onions, and any braising liquid to a large oven-proof skillet or roasting pan. Broil brisket, uncovered, until top is browned and crisp, 5–10 minutes.

    Step 4

    Let brisket cool slightly. Remove from pan and shred or slice. Remove onions with a slotted spoon; mix into brisket. Taste and moisten with some cooking liquid and season with salt, if needed.

    Step 5

    Do ahead: Brisket can be braised 1 day ahead. Let cool; cover and chill. Reheat, covered, at 325° for 1½ hours.

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