She Strengthens

Summer’s Sweetest Slow-Cooked Brisket

Imagine sinking your teeth into tender, juicy beef brisket, smothered in a rich, sweet, and tangy barbecue sauce. It’s a summer dream come true! With this mouthwatering recipe, you’ll be the star of your next backyard gathering.

The Magic of Slow Cooking

The secret to this recipe lies in the slow cooker, where the brisket is transformed into a tender, fall-apart masterpiece over 10 hours of gentle cooking. The result is a depth of flavor that’s simply impossible to achieve with quicker cooking methods.

The Perfect Spice Blend

To start, mix together a blend of chili powder, cumin, brown sugar, cayenne, and garlic to create a rub that will infuse the brisket with bold, smoky flavor. Then, slow-cook the meat in a sweet-savory sauce featuring smoky chipotle chiles, ketchup, brown sugar, and a hint of vinegar.

A Delicious Duo: Brisket and Beans

Serve your slow-cooked brisket alongside a side of creamy ranch-style pinto beans for a match made in heaven. The beans provide a comforting contrast to the bold, meaty flavors of the brisket.

Get Ready to Feast!

Yield: 6 servings
Difficulty: Easy
Total Time: 10 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients

For the Barbecue Sauce:

• 1 1/2 cups ketchup
• 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup finely chopped yellow onion
• 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 chipotles in adobo sauce, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the Brisket:

• 1/4 cup paprika
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon packed dark brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed
• 1 (5-pound) beef brisket

Instructions

1. Combine the barbecue sauce ingredients in a 3-quart or larger slow cooker and stir to combine.
2. Mix the brisket ingredients (except the brisket) in a medium bowl and stir to combine.
3. Cut the brisket in half widthwise and evenly coat it with the spice rub. Place the 2 brisket pieces in the slow cooker.
4. Cover and cook on low for 10 hours, or until fork-tender.
5. Transfer the brisket to a clean cutting board and pour the barbecue sauce into a medium heatproof bowl.
6. Remove excess fat from the brisket and discard. Slice the meat against the grain into 1/4-inch-thick pieces and return it to the slow cooker.
7. Skim and discard the fat from the surface of the barbecue sauce. Return the sauce to the slow cooker and stir gently to combine with the meat. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.