Slow Cooker Beef Brisket with Blueberry Barbecue Sauce

Brisket is a Texas staple.  Slow Cooker Beef Brisket with Blueberry Barbecue Sauce is our twist by throwing it in a slow cooker and imbuing it with a blueberry essence.  All fun all the time around here!  Time to try something fun and different!

Slow Cooker Beef Brisket with Blueberry Barbecue Sauce

Serves/ Yield: 8-10

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook/ Assembly Time: 9-11 hours

Total Time: 9 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3-5 lbs. beef brisket
• 1 c. water
• 2 T. apple cider vinegar
• 2 Tbsp. coconut aminos

Spice Rub, divided

• 2 Tbsp. paprika
• 1 Tbsp. chili powder
• 2 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. chipotle powder
• 1 tsp. pepper
• ½ tsp. dried thyme
• ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper, optional

Barbecue Sauce

• 8 chopped dates
• 1 – 6 oz. cans tomato paste
• 1 – 14 oz. can fire roasted chopped tomatoes
• 8 oz. blueberries
• ¼ c. apple cider vinegar
• 1 Tbsp. from above Spice Rub
• 1 tsp. anchovy paste
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1/2 tsp. dry mustard powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt

Recipe:

Grease a large slow cooker with oil.

Rinse the brisket and pat dry. If it is too long for your slow cooker slice it in half.

Combine all the ingredients for the Spice Rub.  Remove one tablespoon and set aside.  Rub the rest into the brisket.  Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes or refrigerate up to 24 hours.

While you let the meat rest combine all the ingredients for the barbecue sauce plus the reserved tablespoon of Spice Rub in a blender or food processor.  Puree until smooth.  Remove 1/2 cup of the sauce to a medium-sized bowl and store the rest in the refrigerator until later.

In the medium-sized bowl with the 1/2 cup of barbecue sauce whisk in the water, apple cider vinegar, and coconut aminos.

Place a large Dutch Oven or Roasting Pan over medium-high heat. Coat with olive oil or oil of choice.  Sear the brisket on all sides then remove to the slow cooker (about 2 minutes per side). Pour barbecue sauce/ water mixture over the brisket in the slow cooker.  Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours, turning the meat over halfway through the cooking time.

About 30 minutes before the brisket is done set the barbecue sauce on to simmer until warmed and reduced to the desired level.

The brisket is done when it is very tender.  Remove the brisket to a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Brush with the barbecue sauce and broil for 5-10 minutes to get a slight char.

Brush again with the sauce then slice across the grain or chop, if desired.

Serve and enjoy!

Categorically Speaking: Whole 30, Paleo, Beef, Dinner, Fast, Slow Cooker, Condiments, Sauces