Slow Cooker Beef Brisket

This slow cooker beef brisket is so delicious and fall-apart tender and juicy. The dry rub is amazing, and the easy apricot barbecue sauce adds a nice sweet and fruity touch.

📝 Ingredients

• 5 to 6 pounds beef brisket, “flat” cut (excess fat trimmed, see notes)
• 2 large yellow onions, sliced
• 8 garlic cloves, crushed
• 3 bay leaves
• 1/4 cup beef broth
• 2 teaspoons whole grain dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper
• 3 teaspoons light brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 4 teaspoons Kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 cups BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
• 1/2 cup apricot preserves or jam
• 1 tablespoon whole grain dijon mustard

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Dry rub: In a bowl, mix all the dry rub ingredients. Rub the brisket all over with it, on both sides. Let it sit for 30 minutes to 1 hour on the counter. This will help with flavor.
2. 2Apricot BBQ sauce: In a bowl, mix the barbecue sauce with the apricot preserves and dijon mustard. Set aside.
3. 3To a large 8-quart slow cooker, add the sliced onions, crushed garlic, and bay leaves. Then, add beef broth, 2 teaspoons whole grain dijon mustard, salt and pepper.
4. 4Stir in about ¾ cup of the prepared apricot barbecue glaze into the slow cooker. Give everything a mix until evenly combined.
5. 5Place the brisket on top, fat layer side up. Cover and cook on LOW for 10 hours, or HIGH for 6 hours until fall-apart tender. During this time, the meat will release plenty of juices.
6. 6Once ready, lift and transfer the brisket onto a large sheet pan, fat side up. Brush generously with some of the apricot BBQ glaze. Broil on high for 4-5 minutes until charred and the fat is rendered.
7. 7Turn it over and brush with more of the glaze. Broil for another 4-5 minutes until charred and caramelized. You can broil the onions at this point too.
8. 8Let it rest for 15 minutes, then slice against the grain (starting from the shorter end) using a serrated knife. Serve with more of the prepared sauce and spoon over the slow cooker brisket juices. Enjoy!