Slow Cooker Texas-Style Smoked Brisket

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-27 · Updated 2026-06-27

Tender and smoky beef brisket slowly cooked with a dry rub of spices reminiscent of Texas barbecue pits. This American-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 615 minutes, pairs beef brisket, smoked paprika, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs beef brisket
• 2 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

The slow cooker we’d leave this in all day → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 1 tsp black pepper, 2 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp chili powder, and 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper to create a dry rub.
2. Step 2: Rub the 3 lbs beef brisket evenly on all sides with the spice mixture, pressing it into the meat to adhere.
3. Step 3: Place the brisket into the slow cooker and pour 1 cup beef broth and 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar around (not over) the brisket.
4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low heat for 8-10 hours until the brisket is fork-tender and shreds easily.
5. Step 5: Remove brisket, let rest 15 minutes, then slice against the grain to serve with the cooking juices spooned over.