Oh, the magic of a slow cooker—it’s like having a culinary wizard in your kitchen, conjuring flavors while you go about your day! This Easy Slow Cooker Honey BBQ Pulled Beef is a revelation, transforming simple ingredients into a symphony of sweet, smoky, and savory notes. I swear, it’s like a warm hug from your favorite blanket on a rainy day—comforting and utterly irresistible.
Steps
- Lightly coat the inside of your slow cooker with grease and place the beef brisket inside. In a small bowl, mix all the sauce ingredients together, except for the cold water and cornstarch, and set aside.
- Combine and mix the garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Rub this seasoning mixture evenly over the brisket.
- Pour the prepared sauce over the brisket in the slow cooker. Cover and set the slow cooker to low, allowing it to cook for approximately 10 hours.
- After cooking, transfer the liquid from the slow cooker to a large saucepan and heat to a boil over medium-high heat. Dissolve the cornstarch in cold water and add to the saucepan. Lower the heat to medium-low and stir until the sauce thickens.
- Shred the brisket using two forks and return it to the slow cooker. Pour the thickened sauce back into the slow cooker, stir well, and serve the brisket while hot.
Ingredients
- 1 medium-large beef brisket (approximately 5 pounds)
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup ketchup
- ½ cup molasses
- 4 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ? cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
FAQ
- Can I prepare the sauce ahead of time?
- Yes, the sauce can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it.
- What size brisket should I use for this recipe?
- The recipe calls for a medium-large brisket, approximately 5 pounds in weight.
- How long should the brisket cook in the slow cooker?
- The brisket should be cooked on low for about 10 hours to achieve a tender, fall-apart texture.
- Can I modify the sauce to suit my taste?
- Absolutely, feel free to adjust the sauce ingredients to your preference. For instance, you can tweak the sweetness or add more spices for a bit of a kick.
- What are some serving suggestions for this brisket?
- The brisket can be served on its own with sides like baked beans and Texas toast, or it can be piled onto a bun to make a delicious BBQ brisket sandwich.
Tips
- Prepare the Sauce in Advance: Consider making the honey BBQ sauce ahead of time and storing it in the fridge. This can save you time on the day you plan to cook the brisket and allows the flavors to meld together more thoroughly.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: To ensure the brisket is cooked to perfection, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The brisket should reach an internal temperature of about 190°F to 205°F for optimal tenderness.
- Thicken Sauce Properly: When thickening the sauce with cornstarch, ensure the mixture of cold water and cornstarch is fully dissolved before adding it to the saucepan. This helps prevent lumps and ensures a smooth sauce.
- Rest the Brisket Before Shredding: Allow the brisket to rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking before shredding it. This helps retain juices and enhances the overall flavor and tenderness of the meat.
Equipment
- Slow Cooker/Crockpot: Essential for cooking the brisket slowly over 10 hours.
- Large Saucepan: Needed for thickening the sauce on the stove.
- Whisk: For mixing the sauce ingredients and cornstarch mixture.
- Meat Forks/Shredding Claws: Useful for shredding the brisket once it’s cooked.