Slow Cooker Beer and Onion Brisket is an easy main course for a weeknight or holiday. Cooked low and slow with onions, garlic, Worcestershire, and beer.
This Beer and Onion Brisket is the Slow Cooker Version of Easy Brisket with Caramelized Onions. Plus, even more rich caramel like flavor is added to the beef from the beer in this recipe.
SLOW COOKER BEER & ONION BRISKET
If you’ve been wary of cooking brisket because of how tough the cut of meat is, this slow cooker recipe is the perfect place to start. Cooking the brisket low and slow gives it time to absorb all the warm and rich flavors from the onions, beer, and Worcestershire sauce around it. I’m not exaggerating when I say this beef brisket turns out unbelievably tender and juicy every time!
For another surprisingly easy brisket recipe, try making Classic Slow Cooker Beef Brisket. Cooking the brisket slowly in the crock pot is an easy way to avoid getting tough meat. Instead the brisket turns out fork tender, and just melts in your mouth.
Slow Cooker Beer and Onion Brisket is perfect for practically any occasion. This dish is easy enough to toss together in the morning and serve on a weeknight, but still good enough to serve for the holidays. The warm flavors make it perfect for the colder months when you need something to warm you up, and the simple recipe makes holiday dinner so much easier!
BRISKET SANDWICHES
It’s hard to pick a favorite between a freshly cooked Beer Brisket for dinner, and delicious sandwiches made from the leftovers. If you have any brisket left after dinner, store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Then enjoy them for lunch the next day with your favorite Homemade Dinner Rolls for the ultimate BBQ beef sandwich.
MORE HOLIDAY MAIN DISHES
Roast Turkey
Baked Ham (with Brown Sugar Glaze)
HoneyBaked Ham (Copycat)
Perfect Garlic Prime Rib
HOW TO MAKE SLOW COOKER BEER & ONION BRISKET
- Onion and Garlic Mixture: Start by adding butter to a pan over medium heat and let it melt. Add in 4 sliced red onions and some kosher salt. Stir the onions as they cook, it should take 15-20 minutes for them to caramelize. Once they’ve started to caramelize, add in the garlic and cook for another minute. Remove the mixture from the pan.
- Browning: Add canola oil to your pan and turn the heat up slightly. Season your brisket with salt and pepper, before putting it in the pan to brown on each side.
- Slow Cooker: Put the brisket in the slow cooker fat side up, this will help keep the meat tender and juicy. Add the onions and garlic over the top. Pout Worcestershire sauce and beer in and cook on low heat for 8 hours.
- Serve: Slice the brisket against the grain and enjoy!
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VARIATIONS ON SLOW COOKER BEER AND ONION BRISKET
- Beer replacements: If you don’t want to cooke with beer there are plenty of replacements you can try. Use beef broth, apple juice, apple cider, mushroom stock, or even root beer to replace the beer in your brisket recipe. Just keep in mind that each alternative will alter the flavor.
- Add-ins: To experiment with the taste try adding in some mustard or BBQ sauce to the sauce mixture. For some sweetness add a little brown sugar, or for a spicier take put in some cayenne or crushed red pepper. There are lots of ways you can change up this recipe with just a couple ingredients.
HOLIDAY SIDE DISH RECIPES
Spinach Gratin
Candied Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows
Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Baked Mac and Cheese
HOW TO STORE SLOW COOKER BEER AND ONION BRISKET
- Serve: Don’t leaver your brisket at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
- Store: To store your Beer Brisket keep it in a shallow airtight container or wrapped tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. It will keep well in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Freeze: To freeze brisket start by laying out the brisket slices on a parchment paper lined baking sheet in a single layer. Freeze for an hour. Once frozen, move the slices to a freezer bag, and keep them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 red onions , sliced
- 4 cloves garlic , minced
- 2 teaspoons Kosher salt , divided
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 4 pound beef brisket
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 12 ounces beer
Instructions
- In a large skillet melt the butter on medium heat and add in the onions and 1 teaspoon Kosher salt.
- Cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently until they start to caramelize.
- Add in the garlic, stir and cook for 1 minute.
- Remove the onions from the pan and set aside.
- Add in the canola oil and turn the heat up to medium-high.
- Season the brisket with the remaining salt and the pepper.
- Brown on both sides for 3-5 minutes on each side.
- Add the brisket, fatty side up, into the slow cooker and top with onion and garlic mixture.
- Pour Worcestershire sauce and beer around the brisket and cook for 8 hours on low heat.
- Slice against the grain to serve.
Nutrition
Would it be a good step to marinate the brisket overnight in the beer and onion
I haven’t done an overnight marinade with this recipe. Did you try it?
Which cut did you use for this recipe? Flat cut of point cut?
Hi Anne,
Depends on availability. Flat cut is preferred but have used Point cut as well.
If I buy a 4 pound brisket can I cut it half and cook 2 pounds in slow cooker.
Will the cooking time change? I’m cooking for two. Thank you, can”t wait to make it.
Brisket is a very tough piece of meat and it tastes best when cooked low and slow. If you have time, follow recipe directions or you’ll know your brisket is getting close to being ready when the brisket internal temp reaches 165F. Enjoy
This brisket looks amazing. Will make this this weekend for dinner. Have a question, what type of beer do you recommend for this recipe?
Thank you!
Omgoodness, I made this an it’s AMAZING melts in your mouth just delicious, my partner always does smoked brisket but I’m going to say iv topped that off with this dinner ? thank you Sabrina for sharing the recipe…
Hi, What type of beer do you use in this recipe?
I would like to add potatoes and carrots, would that work?
You can experiment with whatever veggies you want. I think it would be great!
What size slow cooker
We tend to use a 5 or 6 quart.
can I make this in a instant pot?
I’m sure you can, your food will definitely cook faster. However, I’m not sure about the time or temperature you would need for this recipe.
Loved it. So much flavour. I added some bbq sauce and chilli to the beer and a bouillon cube. My slow cooker died on me so ended up covering tight with foil and oven roasting on 160C for 3 h. Delicious, all the kids gobbled up.
Those additions sound yummy!
Can this be cooked the same way in a roaster?
I haven’t tested it but if you decide to try, I’d love to know what worked. Thanks!
I will be trying your recipe in a day or two as it just looks so delicious. Can i use yellow onions instead of red ?
Thanks.
Of course. Enjoy!
Looking forward to trying this! How do I alter the recipe and cooking time with a 2.75 pound brisket ?
It might take around 6-8 hours of cook time. I hope you enjoy it!
So tender & delicious! Love the beer & onion flavor. Even more than that, I love that this was done in the crockpot! 8 whole hours when I don’t have to think about dinner! Perfection.
I try to use my slow cookers as often as possible for this very reason! Glad to know it was a hit, Betsy.
What is the best beer to use?
YUM- this is delicious! I made this and my family was very happy. Packed with flavor!
Thanks for the 5 stars, Melissa.
This was amaaaaaazzzing. So juicy and tender and full of flavor!
Yay!! Thanks for coming back to let me know, April.
Fixed this brisket today. Had some tonight and it was SO GOOD!! Plan on having sliders in night or two. Looking forward to this. What would be best way to heat? Put in covered container with juice in refrigerator.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I would place it in the oven with the juices and reheat at 325 degrees. The lower temperature will ensure it stays moist and doesn’t dry out.
Tried this recipe today at it turned out great. Meat was very tender with great flavor. Another winner. Thank you.
Yay!! Thanks for coming back to let me know how much you enjoyed it.
What beer did you use as there are manay various beers that can also vary the taste of recipes
I usually recommend using a beer that you enjoy. If you don’t have a preference, I would suggest using an ale or Guinness extra stout. Hope this helps.
I was a volunteer fireman for 15 yrs., our small city competed with surrounding cities on a brisket cook-off. We won using a salt and pepper brisket with rings of onions and chopped parsley on top, then we poured a can of beer, wrapped it in aluminum. Our team won 1st place. A local bank paid $300 for our brisket. Your recipe is so close, I will try it. Thx.!!
Wow, that’s impressive.