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Instant Pot Brisket takes just a fraction of the time it would take in the oven or slow cooker. Add a simple rub before cooking and then slather in BBQ sauce before serving.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
This Instant Pot Brisket is going to become your new favorite easy dinner idea. The Instant Pot makes it easy, quick and delicious. The meat comes out so tender that it about melts in your mouth. You can serve it with BBQ sauce or without. Thanks to a rub that is added to the meat before cooking there is a lot of flavor going on.
What is Beef Brisket?
Beef brisket is a tough cut of meat but cooked the right way it can be tender and melt in your mouth delicious. It is popular in Texas-style barbecue and is usually prepared by rubbing the brisket with a dry spice rub, then cooking the beef brisket slowly over charcoal or smoked.
Ingredients Needed
- Beef Brisket
- Olive Oil
- Garlic
- Beef Broth
- Brown Sugar
- Paprika
- Chili Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Oregano
- Salt
- Dry Mustard
- Cumin
How to Make Instant Pot Brisket
- Trim some of the excess fat off the brisket. Your brisket will have a layer of fat on one side. I like to trim some of it off, but not all of it. The fat does add some additional flavor.
- In a small bowl, mix together spices for rub.
- Cover both sides of the brisket with rub, patting it into the meat.. If you have time, wrap the brisket in plastic wrap and allow it to sit in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. If you don’t have time, that’s o.k., it will still be delicious. I have done it both ways, allowed it to refrigerate before and also just added the rub and put it in the Instant Pot and both ways were delicious.
- Saute garlic with the olive oil in the Instant Pot using the saute feature.
- Cut the brisket into two pieces so that it fits in the pot.
- Pour the beef broth into the Instant Pot.
- Add your seasoned meat to the Instant Pot.
- Cook on the meat/stew setting for 90 minutes. Do a 10 minute natural release and then a quick release.
- Place meat on a baking sheet or cutting board and use two forks to shred meat or you can slice it with a knife if you prefer.
- Add favorite BBQ sauce to meat and serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this Instant Pot Brisket in the slow cooker?
If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can still make this delicious brisket! Just check out my slow cooker brisket recipe! It definitely takes a little more time to cook, about 7-8 hours, but it is just as delicious!
What cut of brisket should I buy?
You will usually find brisket in two different main cuts in the store. There is:
Flat cut: This is the most common cut you will find in the grocery store and the one I usually use. The fat or deckle has been removed from this piece.
Point cut: This is the fatty part of the brisket, which is called the deckle. This cut is marbled throughout with fat or “deckle.” This brisket cut is less common in grocery stores and it is a softer and more flavorful brisket cut. Ask your butcher for this cut.
How do I slice brisket?
Place the brisket on a cutting board.
Slice the meat going against the grain.
Cover with your favorite BBQ sauce.
How Long Do I Pressure Cook Meet?
A good rule of thumb is 20 minutes per pound.
- 2 to 3 pounds brisket: Cook on high pressure for 55 to 60 minutes.
- 4 to 5 pounds brisket: Cook on high pressure for 90 minutes.
- 6 to 7 pounds brisket: Cook on high pressure for 105 to 110 minutes.
Tips from Leigh Anne
- Always allow your brisket to rest for at least 5 minutes after it is done cooking, before you slice it.
- If your brisket doesn’t fit in your Instant Pot, slice it in half and place the pieces side by side instead of stacking them on top of each other. This helps them cook more evenly.
Pair This with:
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Instant Pot Brisket Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 lbs. beef brisket, trimmed
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 4 tsp garlic, minced
- 1 cup beef broth
Rub
- 3 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp paprika
- 1 Tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp oregano
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp dry mustard
- 1 tsp cumin
Instructions
- Mix rub ingredients together.
- If you have time, wrap beef in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2-24 hours to allow flavors to come together. I have also made it without refrigerating at all.
- Add oil and garlic to Instant Pot and saute using the saute setting for 2-3 minutes.
- Rub brisket on both sides with rub mixture. Cut brisket in half so it lays flat in the Instant Pot.
- Pour beef broth into the Instant Pot, around the meat so you don’t wash off the rub.
- Put on the lid and cook on meat/stew setting for 90 minutes. Do a 10 minute natural release and then a quick release.
- Remove meat and place on a cutting board. Slice meat going against the grain.
- Add BBQ Sauce and serve.
Tips & Notes:
- 2 to 3 pounds brisket: Cook on high pressure for 55 to 60 minutes.
- 4 to 5 pounds brisket: Cook on high pressure for 90 minutes.
- 6 to 7 pounds brisket: Cook on high pressure for 105 to 110 minutes
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Nutrition Facts:
Kim LaBarre says
Great recipe but I had to cook mine for 75 minutes to get tender. But I was wondering if you really only have to rest your beef brisket for only 5-10 minutes? When you grill or smoke it you normally rest it for minimum an hour. Thanks
Lexi says
Awesome recipe. I pre-soaked mine in a salt brine with liquid smoke, because of this, I didn’t add the onion soup mix as I didn’t want it to come out unbearably salty. And I didn’t add any sugar since I’m on the carnivore diet.
Mine was 3lbs. I cooked it for 60mins and it came out tender. It could have used an extra ten mins or so, but it wasn’t tough (it just didn’t fall apart, I had to cut it into the pieces I wanted).
Thank you for your post. Will make again.
Destiny says
This recipe came out really good! I think I will probably stick to my usual recipe but if you want to switch things up this is such a good option. I love the spices used, perfect for like a Mexican twist on brisket.
Debbie says
Outstanding! Better than any restaurant can ever serve. And the instant pot makes it fall apart tender soft
Amanda Bass says
Hi Leigh Ann! I have a question. Could you possibly put foil or maybe a rack designed for layering food in an Instant Pot and cook “baked potatoes” at the same time you’re cooking the brisket? I saw a recipe for pork chops cooked in a crock pot with foil over top of them and potatoes wrapped in foil and cooked over tol of the meat, but, I don’t really care for the texture of meat cooked in a crock pot. It’s always tender but dry in a sense. People always look at me like I’m crazy when I say that, but there has got to be someone else out there that feels the same way. I also thought brisket would be much more yummy that pork chops. What do you think?
Cant wait to try this brisket recipe! I might just try adding the potatoes and doing my own trial and error.
Leigh Anne Wilkes says
Amanda, I have never tried layering food in my Instant Pot so I’m not much help, sorry!