Smoky Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Brisket Recipe

Slow cooker brisket by the pioneer woman emerges as a game-changing recipe that transforms ordinary dinner into an extraordinary feast.

Tender beef becomes a canvas for rich, complex flavors that dance across your palate.

Layers of spices and slow-simmered magic turn simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece.

Each bite promises a journey through comfort and home-style cooking that warms both heart and stomach.

The magic happens effortlessly, with minimal prep and maximum taste delivering a meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Weekend gatherings or weeknight dinners will never be the same once you unleash this mouthwatering creation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 8 hours

Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients That Go Into Brisket Slow Cooking

• Onion Soup Mix: Look for a brand with robust, authentic seasoning without artificial additives.
• Brown Sugar: Choose dark brown sugar for deeper, more caramelized flavor notes.
• Kosher Salt: Select coarse-grain salt for better meat penetration and texture.
• Ground Black Pepper: Freshly ground provides more intense, vibrant pepper essence.

• Thyme Sprigs: Select fresh, bright green sprigs with strong herbal fragrance.
• Garlic Cloves: Pick firm, plump cloves without sprouting or soft spots.
• Bay Leaves: Opt for whole, intact leaves with rich green color and crisp texture.

• Carrots, Baby Potatoes, Celery Stalks, Onion: Choose fresh, firm vegetables with vibrant colors and no blemishes.
• Carrots: Select smooth, bright orange roots without cracks.
• Baby Potatoes: Pick uniformly sized potatoes with smooth, unblemished skin.
• Celery Stalks: Look for crisp, bright green stalks with minimal wilting.
• Onion: Choose firm, heavy onions with papery, intact outer layers.

• Cornstarch: Use pure, fine-ground cornstarch for smooth thickening.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Select high-quality sauce with balanced tangy and umami profile.
• Beef Stock: Choose low-sodium stock for better seasoning control.

What You’ll Use for Brisket Perfection

• Mixing Bowl: Large, spacious vessel for combining dry ingredients and seasoning the brisket.
• Paper Towels: Essential for patting meat dry and ensuring perfect seasoning adhesion.
• Slow Cooker: 6 to 8-quart size for perfect brisket cooking and even heat distribution.
• Measuring Cup: Needed for precise liquid measurements and smooth sauce blending.
• Whisk: Handy tool for creating a silky-smooth cooking liquid without lumps.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for slicing the tender, juicy brisket.
• Sharp Knife: Perfect for cutting meat against the grain into beautiful, thin slices.
• Measuring Spoons: Crucial for accurate seasoning and spice measurements.

How to Slow Cook Brisket with Flavor

• Craft Flavor-Packed Seasoning

Grab a mixing bowl and create a zesty spice blend by combining onion soup mix, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Thoroughly massage this magical mixture all over the brisket, ensuring every surface gets coated with delicious seasonings.

• Arrange Brisket for Slow Cooking

Nestle the seasoned brisket fat-side down in your slow cooker. Scatter fresh thyme sprigs, garlic cloves, and bay leaves across the top to infuse deep, aromatic flavors into the meat.

• Layer Hearty Vegetables

Surround the brisket with a colorful medley of chopped carrots, baby potatoes, celery, and onion wedges. These vegetables will soak up the delicious cooking juices and create a complete one-pot meal.

• Pour Silky Cooking Liquid

Whisk together Worcestershire sauce, beef stock, and cornstarch until smooth. Gently cascade this liquid over the brisket and vegetables, creating a rich base that will transform into a luxurious gravy.

• Transform into Tender Masterpiece

Cover the slow cooker and let magic happen. Cook on high for 5-6 hours or low for 8 hours until the brisket becomes mouthwateringly tender but still maintains its shape.

• Serve Succulent Meal

Transfer the brisket to a cutting board and slice against the grain into thin, juicy portions. Plate with the surrounding vegetables and drizzle with the deeply flavored cooking liquid. Enjoy your mouthwatering creation!

Tips for Juicy and Tender Brisket Cuts

• Elevate Your Brisket Game: Insider Tips and Twists
• Meat Selection Magic: Choose a well-marbled beef brisket with a nice fat cap for maximum tenderness and flavor. Prime or choice grades work best for melt-in-your-mouth results.
• Seasoning Secret Weapon: Let the brisket sit with the dry rub for 30 minutes before cooking to help the spices penetrate deeper into the meat and intensify the overall taste profile.
• Low and Slow Transformation: Resist the temptation to lift the slow cooker lid during cooking. Each peek releases precious heat and can extend your cooking time significantly.
• Flavor Boost Alternatives: Swap beef stock with dark beer or red wine for a richer, more complex sauce that adds depth to your brisket's taste.

Serving Brisket with Sides and Sauce Ideas

• Comfort Meal Presentation: Arrange sliced brisket on a large rustic platter surrounded by roasted vegetables, creating a warm and inviting family-style display.
• Garnish with Green Freshness: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or chives over the meat and vegetables to add bright color and a subtle herbal touch.
• Wine Pairing Delight: Serve alongside a robust red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec to complement the rich, tender brisket flavors.
• Side Dish Companions: Include warm crusty bread or creamy mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious gravy and complete the hearty meal.

Save Leftovers or Meal Prep with Brisket

• Preserve Peak Flavor: After enjoying your delicious brisket, refrigerate leftovers in airtight containers within two hours of cooking. Properly stored brisket maintains its incredible taste and texture for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze for Future Feasts: Want to extend your meal's life? Slice the brisket, wrap tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags, and freeze for up to 3 months. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn and lock in those mouthwatering flavors.
• Reheat with Care: Revive refrigerated brisket by warming gently in the microwave or oven. Add a splash of beef stock to prevent drying out. For best results, heat slowly at 50% power, stirring occasionally to distribute warmth evenly and maintain the meat's tender texture.
• Smart Meal Prep Strategy: Portion cooked brisket into individual servings before storing. This approach makes quick lunches or dinners a breeze. Grab and reheat single portions for effortless meals throughout the week, saving time and reducing food waste.

Tender Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Brisket Recipe

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4.6 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Hearty pioneer woman slow cooker brisket promises rich, tender meat infused with deep southwestern flavors. Texas-style comfort emerges from patient cooking, delivering mouthwatering results you’ll savor with pure culinary satisfaction.

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Ingredients

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• 1 piece beef brisket (3 lb, 1.36 kg, flat cut)
• 2 ½ cups (590 ml) beef stock
• 1 lb (454 g) golden baby potatoes
• 1 lb (454 g) carrots, peeled, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 3 celery stalks, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 large sweet onion, cut into 8 wedges
• 8 whole garlic cloves
• 8 fresh thyme sprigs
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 1 oz (28 g) envelope onion soup mix
• 1 ½ tsps kosher salt
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• 2 tbsps Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbsps cornstarch
• 1 tbsp light brown sugar

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Instructions

1. Seasoning Preparation: Thoroughly blend onion soup mix, brown sugar, kosher salt, and ground black pepper in a mixing bowl. Meticulously pat brisket dry and massage the spice mixture comprehensively across the entire meat surface.
2. Slow Cooker Setup: Arrange the seasoned brisket fat-side down in a 6 to 8-quart slow cooker. Artfully scatter fresh thyme sprigs, peeled garlic cloves, and bay leaves over the meat. Distribute chopped carrots, baby potatoes, celery stalks, and onion wedges evenly around and atop the brisket, creating a vegetable-rich environment.
3. Liquid Composition: Dissolve cornstarch in Worcestershire sauce, then whisk into beef stock until achieving a smooth consistency. Carefully pour the liquid across the brisket and surrounding vegetables, ensuring even coverage.
4. Cooking Process: Cover and cook on high for 5 to 6 hours, or on low for approximately 8 hours, until the brisket becomes fork-tender yet maintains its structural integrity.
5. Serving Preparation: Transfer the cooked brisket to a cutting board using tongs. Remove and discard the exterior fat cap. Slice the meat against the grain into uniform 1/4-inch thick portions. Plate the brisket with accompanying vegetables and drizzle with the rich, flavorful cooking liquid gravy.

Notes

• Moisture Management: Pat the brisket completely dry before seasoning to ensure maximum flavor absorption and better exterior caramelization.
• Fat Side Strategy: Placing the brisket fat-side down helps protect the meat from direct heat and maintains moisture during slow cooking.
• Grain Guidance: Slice the brisket perpendicular to the grain to guarantee tender, easy-to-chew meat portions that practically melt in your mouth.
• Timing Tactics: Adjust cooking time based on brisket size and desired tenderness – low and slow creates the most succulent results, with fork-tender meat that doesn’t fall apart completely.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg