Slow Cooker Secrets For an Epic National Brisket Day Feast

National Brisket Day is the perfect excuse to indulge in the tender, flavorful goodness of slow-cooked brisket. And what better way to achieve that melt-in-your-mouth perfection than with the help of your trusty Toastmaster 7-Quart Digital Slow Cooker? This kitchen hero makes preparing even the most impressive brisket dishes a breeze, thanks to its set-it-and-forget-it convenience and ample 7-quart capacity – ideal for feeding family and friends!

Brisket Brilliance with Your Slow Cooker

This year, skip the fuss and let your Toastmaster Slow Cooker do the heavy lifting. We've rounded up five mouthwatering brisket recipes, all adapted for your slow cooker, to help you celebrate National Brisket Day in delicious style.

1. Classic Brisket with Savory Rub & Homemade BBQ Sauce

This is the brisket that dreams are made of! A simple yet flavorful rub combined with a rich, homemade BBQ sauce creates a truly unforgettable meal.

Ingredients:

• 3-4 lbs beef brisket
• 2 tbsp olive oil

 

Beef Brisket Rub:

• 2 tbsp brown sugar, 
• 2 tsp smoked paprika,
• 1 tsp garlic powder,
• 2 tsp cumin powder,
• 1/2 tsp mustard powder,
• 1 tsp salt,
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

 

BBQ Sauce:

• 1 tbsp garlic (minced),
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar,
• 2 cups ketchup,
• 1/2 cup brown sugar,
• 2 tsp black pepper,
• 2 1/2 tsp onion powder,
• 2 tsp mustard powder,
• 2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to preferred spice level),
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

 

Slow Cooker Steps:

1. Combine all Beef Brisket Rub ingredients in a bowl. Rub generously all over the brisket. Let sit for 30 minutes.
2. Combine all BBQ Sauce ingredients directly in the Toastmaster Slow Cooker.
3. Place the seasoned brisket into the slow cooker with the BBQ sauce.
4. Cook on low for 8-10 hours.
5. Remove brisket and slice thinly against the grain. Serve with the leftover BBQ sauce.
   

Tip: Pile slices of this classic brisket high on a toasted bun with an extra dollop of your favorite barbeque sauce for a satisfying sandwich!

2. Sweet and Spicy Slow Cooker Brisket

For a brisket with a delightful kick, this sweet and spicy version is a winner. The gochujang and honey create a complex flavor profile that's both savory and addictive.

Ingredients:

• 3 lb beef brisket, cut into 4 pieces
• 1 large onion, finely diced
• 5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1 Tbsp minced ginger
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 cup gochujang
• 1/4 cup honey
• 5 small dried red chilis, sliced
• 2 Tbsp ketchup
• 1 Tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil (for searing)

 

Slow Cooker Steps:

1. Heat vegetable oil in the Toastmaster Electric Skillet over medium-high heat. Sear brisket pieces until golden brown on all sides, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to your Toastmaster slow cooker.
2. Add diced onion, sliced garlic, and minced ginger to the skillet. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Transfer to the slow cooker.
3. Pour chicken broth into the slow cooker and scrape the bottom to deglaze. Stir in gochujang, honey, sliced chilis, ketchup, rice vinegar, and soy sauce.
4. Return the seared brisket to the slow cooker, ensuring it's mostly submerged in the sauce.
5. Cook on low for 7-8 hours, or until the brisket is fork-tender.
6. Remove brisket and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Skim excess fat from the sauce in the slow cooker. Slice and serve the brisket drizzled with the sauce.

Quick Tip: For an extra layer of flavor, caramelize the seared brisket in a separate pan with a touch of honey before adding it to the slow cooker.

3. Classic Corned Beef and Cabbage (Slow Cooker Edition)

Enjoy the traditional comfort of corned beef and cabbage without the long stovetop simmer, thanks to your Toastmaster Slow Cooker.

Ingredients:

• 3 lb corned beef brisket with spice packet
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 sprigs thyme
• 1/2 lb baby potatoes, halved
• 4 medium carrots, cut into 2” long pieces, halved if large
• 1 small head green cabbage, cut into wedges

Slow Cooker Steps:

1. Place the corned beef brisket in your Toastmaster Slow Cooker. Add the spice packet (included with the brisket), bay leaves, and thyme. Cover with water.
2. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the corned beef is tender.
3. Add the halved baby potatoes and carrot pieces to the slow cooker. Cook for another 1-2 hours, or until the vegetables are tender.
4. Add the cabbage wedges to the slow cooker during the last 30-45 minutes of cooking, or until they are tender-crisp.
5. Remove the corned beef and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing against the grain. Serve with the cooked potatoes, carrots, and cabbage.

Quick Tip: For even more flavor, add a splash of Guinness beer or dry white wine to the cooking liquid with the corned beef.

4. Slow Cooker Beef Brisket Tacos

Spice up your Taco Tuesday (or any day!) with these easy and flavorful slow cooker brisket tacos. The salsa and taco seasoning create a simple yet delicious filling.

Ingredients:

• Beef Brisket
• Salsa
• Taco Seasoning
• Juice of 2 Limes
• Fresh Cilantro Leaves, for serving
• Corn or Flour Tortillas, warmed
• Cotija Cheese, crumbled, for serving
• Jalapeños, sliced (optional), for serving

Slow Cooker Steps:

1. Place the beef brisket in your Toastmaster Slow Cooker.
2. Pour salsa over the brisket, then sprinkle generously with taco seasoning. Squeeze the lime juice over the top.
3. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, or until the brisket is easily shredded with a fork.
4. Remove the brisket from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded brisket to the slow cooker and stir it into the juices.
5. Warm your tortillas according to package directions.
6. Serve the shredded brisket on the warm tortillas, topped with crumbled cotija cheese, fresh cilantro leaves, and sliced jalapeños (if desired).

Quick Tip: For an extra kick, add a diced chipotle pepper in adobo sauce to the slow cooker along with the salsa and seasoning.

5. Korean Style Slow Cooker Brisket

Embark on a flavor adventure with this Korean-inspired brisket. The combination of gochugaru, soy sauce, and sesame oil creates a rich and umami-packed dish.

Ingredients:

• 4 to 5 pounds beef brisket, cut into 3 or 4 pieces (or 6-8 pieces for quicker cooking)
• 1 tablespoon dried red chile flakes, preferably Korean gochugaru
• 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
• 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 to 3 tablespoons peanut or safflower oil, as needed
• 1 large onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon grated peeled fresh ginger
• 1 cup lager-style beer
• 1/4 cup gochujang (Korean chile paste) or Sriracha
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons light or dark brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons Asian fish sauce
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

Slow Cooker Steps:

1. Cut the beef into your preferred size. In a bowl, combine gochugaru, paprika, salt, and pepper. Rub all over the brisket.
2. Heat oil in the Toastmaster Electric Skillet over medium-high heat. Sear brisket pieces until browned on all sides. Transfer to your Toastmaster Slow Cooker.
3. In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and grated ginger and cook for another minute until fragrant. Transfer the onion mixture to the slow cooker.
4. Pour in the beer, gochujang (or Sriracha), ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, fish sauce, and sesame oil into the slow cooker.
5. Cook on high for 7-9 hours or low for 10-12 hours, or until the brisket is very tender.

Tip: Shred or slice this flavorful brisket and add it as a protein boost to your favorite Korean soups for an extra layer of deliciousness.

This National Brisket Day, let the Toastmaster 7-Quart Digital Slow Cooker be your secret weapon for creating tender, flavorful brisket dishes that everyone will love. Its convenience and consistent results make it the perfect appliance for both novice and experienced cooks alike. Happy National Brisket Day from Select Brands!