Slow Cooker Beef Brisket With Gluten Free Honey Barbecue Sauce

Indulge in tender slow cooker beef brisket complemented by a homemade gluten-free honey BBQ sauce. This flavorful dish promises a savory twist on a classic favorite, crafted with wholesome ingredients for a satisfying meal.

Ever have one of those insanely busy days when you know you’re just not going to have enough time to prepare dinner?

That’s what happened to me the other day.

I had a lot of errands to run in the afternoon, and then Nicole and I planned to workout at 4:00. 

I’ve been doing resistance training after learning about its many benefits in John’s article, Is Sarcopenia Stealing Your Health And Your Life?. However, after lifting weights, the last thing I wanted to do was cook dinner.

Slow cooked barbecue beef brisket to the rescue. A few simple steps in the morning and a delicious, hearty meal was waiting to be enjoyed at the end of the crazy day.

Beef brisket is naturally gluten-free, and by crafting your own homemade honey barbecue sauce, you have full control over the ingredients, ensuring a sauce that meets your dietary preferences and standards.

When I was growing up, Mom traditionally served succulent brisket alongside her homemade chicken soup and golden potato latkes topped with homemade applesauce. 

What is brisket?

If there’s any cut of meat that the slow cooker seems to have been designed for, it’s beef brisket. Brisket is a cut of meat from the breast or lower chest of the cow. It has to be cooked slowly to dissolve all the connective tissues.

Slow cooking results in a really tender, super juicy, incredibly flavorful beef that easily pulls apart with a fork. And, of course, the recipe is ridiculously easy: the perfect set it and forget it slow cooker recipe.

For the best tasting meat, I recommend grass-fed. It’s healthier and contains more nutrients than its grain-fed counterpart. 

I’ve been ordering from a local supplier in upstate New York. If you’re not in New York, you may be able to locate a local farm in your area at this site.

Check out all my beef recipes! They’re super tasty, from classic favorites to creative dishes that will totally satisfy you.

Without further ado, let’s get cooking!

Instructions

*Free printable recipe card is available at the end of the post.

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In order to get a nice brown crust on the outside of the brisket, pan fry it for several minutes before putting it in the slow cooker. This enhances its flavor and texture. Then you can make the sauce in the same pan and pour it over the brisket before turning on the slow cooker.

The sauce is what really takes this brisket to the next level. It’s a mildly spicy, honey sauce that gives the brisket a lovely barbecued flavor.

First, start with onions and garlic, add some beef stock (chicken or vegetable stock or broths will work too) seasoned with smoked paprika, then flavor with a little Dijon mustard, next organic ketchup, vinegar,  and raw honey. Finally, add a teaspoon of Red Boat.

You could use Worcestershire sauce instead, but I like Red Boat because all of Red Boat’s products are gluten-free and are produced in a gluten free facility. The ingredients are quite simple: just anchovy and sea salt.

Low carb option

If you’re following a low-carb way of eating, sweeten your sauce with stevia and use sugar-free ketchup. It’s still a delicious sauce. Promise.

Now all that needs to be done is cover and cook. Aren’t slow cookers the best thing ever?

Here’s a collection of my best equally delicious and hassle-free slow cooker recipes, each brimming with robust flavors and guaranteed to impress even the pickiest of eaters.

You’ll get home from a busy day and dinner will be made! (If you are looking to invest in a high-quality slow cooker, I recommend this one by Hamilton Beach).

When I made this brisket, my family had gotten up a little late and so we ended up eating a late breakfast (more like brunch!). By the time I set up my brisket in the slow cooker, I only had six hours until dinner. (As I said before, it was a crazy day).

But it still turned out amazing! Even four hours on high would probably have been fine.

Ideally, though, this dish turns out best if the meat is slow cooked on low for seven to eight hours. As the brisket cooks in the sauce, the seasonings infuse the beef, and the beef juices flavor the sauce. My husband’s verdict: a home run.

If you’re intrigued by different cooking techniques, try smoking a brisket flat.

Serving suggestions

Serve alongside these classic nutritious barbecue sides:

• Refreshing coleslaw with sugar-free dressing
• Healthier potato salad recipe which includes my potato salad tricks to make healthier potato salad!
• Zucchini and corn sauté
• Easy cucumber salad
• The best roasted potatoes
• Spoon bread with bacon

Pro tips and recipe notes

Can I use frozen brisket for this recipe?
It’s not recommended to use frozen brisket directly in the slow cooker as it may affect the cooking time and result in uneven cooking. Thaw the brisket completely in the refrigerator before cooking for the best results.

What size slow cooker should I use for this recipe?
A 6-quart slow cooker is ideal for this recipe as it provides enough space for the brisket to cook evenly without overcrowding.

 Can I add vegetables to the slow cooker with the brisket?
Absolutely! Adding vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and onions to the slow cooker along with the brisket can infuse them with delicious flavor and create a complete meal in one pot. I do this in my absolutely delicious slow cooker pot roast recipe.

How do I know when the brisket is done cooking?
The brisket is done cooking when it’s fork-tender. You can also use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches an internal temperature of at least 190°F (88°C).

Can I make this recipe ahead of time and reheat it later?
Absolutely! In fact, the flavors of the brisket often deepen and improve when it’s allowed to sit overnight in the refrigerator. Simply reheat it gently before serving.

How should I store leftovers?
Store leftover brisket and any accompanying vegetables and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze it for longer storage, but be sure to thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating.

You know that we were licking our fingers right after that shot was taken. 😉 If you have any brisket left over the next day, it would be perfect for a sandwich for lunch. Pile it high on an Against the Grain roll or gluten free bread, top with lettuce, and cover it in the tasty sauce.

Enjoy! Have a happy and healthy week.

More slow cooker recipes

Slow Cooker Pork Osso Buco – This is super easy to make in a slow cooker, and the meat is so tender and juicy, that it literally falls right off the bone.

Amazing Slow Cooker Pot Roast You’ve Got To Try – Simmering spice-rubbed meat with sweet carrots and potatoes low and slow all day in the natural juices tenderizes the meat and is such a nutritious way to cook. And the clean up is so fast and easy too.

How To Make Amazing Pork Chops In Your Slow Cooker – These low-carb pork chops are mouthwateringly tender and cooked over a bed of sweet carrots and onions in the most intense savory gravy. In this recipe, I share my five tips for making amazing pork chops. 

Hearty Gluten Free Chicken Noodle Soup In The Slow Cooker – This is the best nutritious gluten free chicken noodle soup. It’s made from scratch in your slow cooker or on your stovetop. You can do this. 

If you’re a fan of chicken soup, you’ll definitely want to try my speedy chicken and rice soup stovetop recipe—it’s sure to hit the spot!

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4.17 from 6 votes

Slow Cooker Beef Brisket With Gluten Free Honey Barbecue Sauce

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Slow cooker beef brisket with gluten free honey barbecue sauce is tender and juicy and made with healthy ingredients.

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 8 hours hours

Total Time 8 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Calories 283kcal

Author Barbara Bianchi

Ingredients

• extra virgin olive oil
• 2- 3 pounds beef brisket

For barbecue sauce

• 1 onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ¾ cup gluten free beef stock homemade or store bought
• ½ cup raw honey
• 2 tablespoons gluten free Dijon mustard
• ½ cup gluten free ketchup
• 1/3 cup Bragg's apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Red Boat
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet over high heat. Brown the brisket on both sides and transfer to your slow cooker.
  extra virgin olive oil, 2- 3 pounds beef brisket
• Add another tablespoon of oil and sauté the onions until soft, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 2 minutes more.

  Add beef stock, honey, mustard, ketchup, vinegar, and Red Boat. Heat and stir and season with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.

  Pour sauce over the brisket in the slow cooker.
  1 onion, 2 cloves garlic, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, ¾ cup gluten free beef stock, ½ cup raw honey, 2 tablespoons gluten free Dijon mustard, ½ cup gluten free ketchup, 1/3 cup Bragg's apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon Red Boat, salt and pepper to taste
• Cover and cook for 8 hours on LOW or 4 to 5 hours on HIGH, until the meat is fork-tender.
• Remove the meat to a cutting board and slice it thinly against the grain.
• Skim fat from the cooking juices. Transfer to a saucepan and reduce for about 10 minutes. Spoon over the sliced meat and serve.

Notes

Can I use frozen brisket for this recipe?
It's not recommended to use frozen brisket directly in the slow cooker as it may affect the cooking time and result in uneven cooking. Thaw the brisket completely in the refrigerator before cooking for the best results.

What size slow cooker should I use for this recipe?
A 6-quart slow cooker is ideal for this recipe as it provides enough space for the brisket to cook evenly without overcrowding.

 Can I add vegetables to the slow cooker with the brisket?
Absolutely! Adding vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and onions to the slow cooker along with the brisket can infuse them with delicious flavor and create a complete meal in one pot. I do this in my absolutely delicious slow cooker pot roast recipe.

How do I know when the brisket is done cooking?
The brisket is done cooking when it's fork-tender. You can also use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches an internal temperature of at least 190°F (88°C).

Can I make this recipe ahead of time and reheat it later?
Absolutely! In fact, the flavors of the brisket often deepen and improve when it's allowed to sit overnight in the refrigerator. Simply reheat it gently before serving.

How should I store leftovers?
Store leftover brisket and any accompanying vegetables and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze it for longer storage, but be sure to thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating.

Nutrition

Calories: 283kcal

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