If you think you need to cook all day to get a tender and flavorful beef brisket, think again! With the magic of the Instant Pot or a pressure cooker, you can have a fall apart beef brisket smothered in delicious BBQ sauce ready in about 2 hours.
Cooking brisket in a pressure cooker
This recipe is simple and easy to follow, so don’t be scared of the Instant Pot or pressure cooker. Here are some cooking tips:
- Trim the fat on the brisket as much as possible. Brisket is already naturally marbled with fat within the meat.
- You’ll likely need to brown the brisket in batches. Cut it into pieces that fit the size of your pressure cooker. Or, simply brown it in a pan on the stovetop.
- Refer to the cooking chart below if you are cooking a different sized brisket than the recipe calls for.
How long does this instant pot brisket recipe take to cook?
Depending on the size of brisket you’re using, here are the approximate cooking times.
| BRISKET SIZE | COOKING TIME |
| 2-3 lbs | 60 minutes (high pressure) |
| 4-5 lbs | 75 minutes (high pressure) |
| 6-7 lbs | 90 minutes (high pressure) |
Note that the cooking times above are for how long to set your Instant Pot or pressure cooker for. They do not include time to prep the seasoning, brown the brisket, time for the pressure to build and time for the pressure to release.
The total cooking time noted in the recipe card below reflects the entire cooking time from start to finish for a 4 lb brisket.
A simple brisket rub recipe
The dry rub for this beef brisket is easy to make with simple seasonings from your pantry. Make it fresh and slather it all over the beef brisket before browning it in the Instant Pot. You’ll be amazed by the flavor this simple rub adds to the brisket!
A healthy BBQ sauce for beef brisket
Making a homemade healthy BBQ sauce is an easy way to add delicious BBQ flavor to this Instant Pot beef brisket! Since you aren’t smoking the brisket, this is the next best option to add some smoky, BBQ flavor.
Just mix up the BBQ sauce in a bowl or jar while the brisket is cooking. If you want to warm up the BBQ sauce, use the Saute function on the Instant Pot. Here’s what you’ll do:
- Remove the beef brisket to rest as noted in the directions.
- Pour the broth from the instant pot into a bowl. Reserve for dipping or pouring over the brisket :).
- Press the “Saute” button and add in the BBQ sauce. Cook, stirring frequently, to warm the sauce for a few minutes.
- Press the “Cancel/keep warm” button.
What to serve with brisket?
- HEALTHY GRILLED SWEET POTATO FRIES (PICTURED ABOVE)
- BROCCOLI CAULIFLOWER SALAD WITH BACON
- GRILLED CAULIFLOWER STEAKS
- THE BEST POTATO SALAD WITH BACON
- HEALTHY COLESLAW
Your turn to try this easy brisket recipe
Save yourself some time and use the Instant Pot to cook your next brisket. You’ll still get a tender, fall apart brisket with a smoky, BBQ flavor – in much less cooking time!
Leave a comment below to let us know how it goes. Also, take a pic to share and tag us @realsimplegood, we love to see what you’re cooking!
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Instant Pot BBQ Beef Brisket
Ingredients
- 4 lb (1.81 kg) beef brisket
- 2 tbsp (2 tbsp) ghee, (or coconut oil for dairy free)
- 1 cup (240 g) beef broth
For the rub:
- 1 tbsp (1 tbsp) sea salt
- 1 tbsp (1 tbsp) ground pepper
- 1 tbsp (1 tbsp) chili powder, (also used in BBQ sauce below)
- 2 tsp (2 tsp) mustard powder
- 2 tsp (2 tsp) garlic powder, (also used in BBQ sauce below)
- 2 tsp (2 tsp) smoked paprika, (also used in BBQ sauce below)
For the BBQ Sauce:
- 1/2 cup (120 g) coconut aminos
- 1/4 cup (65.5 g) tomato paste
- 2 tbsp (2 tbsp) white vinegar
- 1 tbsp (1 tbsp) yellow mustard
- 1 tsp (1 tsp) garlic powder
- 1 tsp (1 tsp) onion powder
- 1 tsp (1 tsp) chili powder
- 1 tsp (1 tsp) smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp (1/2 tsp) chipotle powder, (optional and spicy, adjust to taste)
Equipment
Instructions
- Make the rub by mixing all of the rub ingredients in a bowl or jar.
- If needed, cut the brisket into 2 (or more) pieces so it will fit into the Instant Pot. Rub the seasoning mixture all over the brisket.
- Press the "Saute" button on the Instant Pot and add in the ghee. Mix the ghee around as the pot heats up to coat the bottom of the pot.
- Add the brisket to the Instant Pot and sear each side for about 3-4 minutes. You want a quick sear to brown all sides of the brisket. You may need to work in batches.
- Once all of the brisket has seared, Press the "keep warm/cancel" button. Remove from the Instant Pot. Pour the beef broth in and deglaze the pot, scraping the bottom of the pan to remove any bits.
- Add the brisket back into the Instant Pot.
- Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and close the pressure valve. Press "manual" button (or "pressure cook" button) and set the time for 75 minutes at high pressure. Once the time is up, let the pressure naturally release for 15 minutes and then carefully manually release the remaining pressure.
- While the brisket is cooking, make the BBQ sauce by combining the sauce ingredients in a bowl or jar and mixing well. Cover and refrigerate.
- When the brisket is finished, remove and place it on a cutting board. Wrap the brisket in foil to rest for at least 10 minutes (or longer). You can also wrap it with parchment paper plus a towel around the parchment paper if you don't want to use foil.
- If you want warm BBQ sauce, remove the broth from the instant pot (reserve for later – for dipping or pouring over the brisket slices). Press the "Saute" button on the Instant pot and pour in the BBQ sauce. Cook the sauce, stirring occasionally, for a few minutes to warm it up. Press the "keep warm/cancel" button.
- Slice the brisket against the grain for serving. Serve topped with BBQ sauce. You could also add the pieces back into the Instant Pot to coat with the sauce before serving.
Notes
Just made this with 2lb of brisket and cut the sauce ingredients in half. Wish I had bought a bigger piece of meat. Delicious spices. I used let salt than called for as we watch our salt and it was very tasty, even without the chipotle. Great gluten free for my daughter in law too. Thank you so much.
You’re welcome, so glad you enjoyed the brisket!
This is a family favorite, thank you!!
You’re very welcome!
How do you adjust this recipe for the slow cooker? Thanks 😊
You could sear the brisket in a pan and then toss it in the slow cooker with the broth for about 10 hours on low.
Incredible flavor! So glad I found this recipe. I also liked that there was no sugar in the BBQ sauce. This will be my go-to from now on.
Glad you found it too 🙂
First time using the pressure cooker. Really appreciate the detailed instructions. Brisket came out so tender. I used the rub recipe but not the barbecue. It tasted great.
Happy to hear that! Thanks for coming back to leave a review and be sure to check out some of our other Instant Pot recipes.
We found this to be very salty. I am definitely more sensitive to salt so if you are too, I would suggest cutting it back.
Sorry that you found this too salty, hopefully you can adjust it to suit your taste in the future 🙂
MIne turned out great ,, make sure you used garlic powder and not garlic salt!
I want to cook this with c carrots and potatoes. When would I put them in?
Unfortunately, I don’t think it would work well to add carrots and potatoes. They would just turn out too mushy with the cook time needed for the brisket and you can’t just open the pressure cooker during cooking to add them in. I think your best be would be to simply roast the veggies in the oven while the brisket is cooking.
Do you let the pressure drop naturally or do a quick release?
Hi Ray – See step 7 in the recipe instructions. Enjoy 😊
I made this for dinner tonight – it was so easy! And it was delicious. I had no idea I could make such great BBQ sauce at home. We don’t like syrupy-sweet sauces, and this was perfect for us. Used the 1/2 tsp Chipotle Powder and found it was just right (not too spicy).
Glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thanks for taking the time to come back and leave a comment and rating, we appreciate it 🙂
Can this be done in a crock pot?
Yes, you could slow cook the brisket for 8-10 hours.
Thank you for this delicious keto brisket recipe! I was searching for a simple, easy and fast recipe, this was it! Love!
You’re welcome! We’re so glad to hear you enjoyed it! Thanks for coming back to share your rating and review. We really appreciate it! 🙂