This Whole30 brisket recipe is one of my most popular. I grew up in Texas and there they *know* brisket! This one is a makeover of my best friend’s grandma’s recipe – straight from a Texas grandma to you. Seriously, put this in your meal plan stat! Great for kids and holidays.
Why We Love This Whole30 Brisket
This is often my go-to party appetizer to take (brisket on sweet potato sliders), as I then know I will at least have a protein there I can have. Also, it’s requested at every Whole30 group potluck I’ve had! It’s gluten-free, dairy-free, Paleo, Keto, and naturally nut-free and egg-free. Additionally, you can cook it in the oven or in a slow cooker. It doesn’t use a lot of ingredients and doesn’t require much hands-on prep.
What is Brisket?
Brisket is a cut of beef that comes from the chest of the cow and is traditionally very tough. As one of the least tender cuts of beef, it needs to be marinated and then cooked slowly at low temperatures to create a tender result. Due to it being a tougher cut of meat, it is often less expensive and more budget-friendly. If you don’t see brisket at your local grocery store, talk to the butcher.
Make it a Meal
This Whole30 Brisket is delicious by itself. But to make it a meal, try it:
- On a baked potato or sweet potato, sweet potato sliders, or Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- On top of my Hash Brown Waffles
- On salad with my Date Mustard sauce for dressing.
- Paired with my Whole30 Mashed Potatoes
- With a side of my Kale Salad or Broccoli Salad
Ingredients
- Beef Brisket – Look for a cut of beef specifically labeled “beef brisket.” I get mine at Winco.
- Liquid Smoke – Liquid smoke can be found in the condiment section of the grocery store. Liquid smoke is made from condensing the smoke from burning wood. It gives the meat a smokey flavor without being cooked in a smoker. You can see an example of this at Walmart here.
- Salt + Pepper – Don’t over think these, just traditional table salt and ground black pepper here.
- Coconut aminos – Coconut aminos are a Whole30 compatible soy-free variation of soy sauce. Full of flavor and great for sauces! I get this brand from Walmart, but there is an even more affordable option at Trader Joe’s, if you have one close to you.
- BBQ Sauce – I love using my Homemade BBQ Sauce for this dish, but you can use whatever Whole30 compatible BBQ sauce is accessible to you. Primal Kitchen has these that you can find at Walmart or Target.
Whole30 Brisket
Ingredients
- 2-2 ½ lbs beef brisket
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt or onion salt + garlic salt
- ½ a 3.5 bottle of Whole30 compatible liquid smoke
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1½ teaspoon compliant coconut aminos
- 1 cup compliant BBQ sauce homemade (see link in notes) or The New Primal or Tessamaes. Use extra sauce if you like it more saucey!
Instructions
- Put beef in a roasting pan. Pour liquid smoke over the meat. Sprinkle seasoned salt over the meat, rubbing into the meat. Cover with aluminum foil and marinate overnight.
- OVEN: When ready to cook, remove from fridge and sprinkle with regular salt, pepper, and coconut aminos. Cover with foil and bake @275 for 7 hours or in the slow cooker on low for 9 hours. Drain off all liquid, shred, remove excess fat, and pour BBQ sauce on meat. Bake uncovered at 325 for 20 minutes.
- SLOW COOKER: When ready to cook, remove meat from fridge and place in the slow cooker. Sprinkle with regular salt, pepper, and coconut aminos. Top with the 1 cup BBQ sauce. Cover with lid and cook on low for 9 hours. Should shred easily when ready.
- Great by itself, on roasted sweet potato slider rounds (see below) or a baked potato, or on a salad! Optional - extra sauce to drizzle on top (pictured)
- To make Sweet Potato sliders:
TOSS 1/4 inch circular slices of potato oil to coat.
LAY in a single layer on a baking sheet covered in parchment, sprinkling with
salt.
BAKE at 425 for 40 minutes, flipping once halfway through. Sliders are done
with outside is browned and inside is tender.AIRFRYER MODIFICATION - Cook sliders for 15 minutes at 350 degrees, stir/flip, then cook at 400 for 10 minutes to crisp.
Notes
Hi! I can’t wait to try this. What liquid smoke do you like?
Hi! I use Wrights Liquid Smoke, which I find at Walmart or Winco. It’s a family favorite!
We’re trying this for the first time today! It’s currently in the crock pot and will be ready around 6:30 EST this evening. I’m recovering from COVID so I can’t smell it, but my husband assures me it smells amazing already!
I hope you are feeling better and that this one was a win. Thank you!
So good. I use a slow cooker and it couldn’t be easier. A really great make ahead to have for weeknight dinners.
I’m so happy you loved this family favorite! And great to know it was a hit in your slow cooker, thank you!
This is a family favorite, and in our regular rotation. I have 6 kids, and all of them love this recipe! It’s delicious, and so easy to make! I usually forget to have it marinate overnight, but it’s still amazing just letting it all soak in the crockpot all day!
Hooray! I’m so happy this is a family favorite for your family too, thank you!