If you’re yearning for melt-in-your-mouth, flavorful beef that tastes like it’s been slow-cooked all day—but you only have a couple of hours—this Instant Pot Brisket is about to become your new dinner hero. Tender, juicy slices tuck in rich barbecue-inspired sauce, infusing the meat with so much savory goodness that every bite feels special. Whether it’s a casual family weeknight or your next gathering of brisket enthusiasts, this recipe brings you big, bold flavor with a fraction of the fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Instant Pot Brisket is that each ingredient works triple duty: bringing deep flavor, balancing sweetness and tang, and keeping the brisket irresistibly moist. The list is simple, but every item matters for achieving that perfect, saucy finish.
- Beef brisket (3–4 pounds, trimmed): This cut is ideal for pressure cooking—the marbling breaks down into silky tenderness.
- Olive oil (1 tablespoon): Helps sear and sauté for foundational flavor in the pot.
- Onion (1 large, sliced): Sautéing the onion caramelizes its sugars, adding mild sweetness to the sauce.
- Garlic (4 cloves, minced): Brings depth and aroma, lending a classic richness to the dish.
- Beef broth (1 cup): Keeps everything moist and creates a deeply savory base for the sauce.
- Barbecue sauce (1/2 cup): Delivers tangy-sweet flavor and helps the sauce cling to every slice.
- Tomato paste (2 tablespoons): Adds body and a gentle acidity that balances the richness.
- Worcestershire sauce (1 tablespoon): Complex umami boost that marries all the flavors.
- Soy sauce (1 tablespoon): Enhances saltiness and gives the brisket even more savor.
- Smoked paprika (1 teaspoon): Smoky undertones make this brisket taste like it spent hours in a smoker.
- Ground black pepper (1/2 teaspoon): For a subtle kick and deep, earthy warmth.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Heightens and connects all the dish’s best notes.
How to Make Instant Pot Brisket
Step 1: Sauté the Onion and Garlic
Kick things off by setting your Instant Pot to the Sauté mode. Pour in the olive oil and, once shimmering, add the sliced onions. Stir frequently and let them soften and turn translucent—about 3–4 minutes is just right. Toss in the minced garlic and cook for one minute more, until the fragrance is downright irresistible. This crucial step builds the all-important flavor base for your Instant Pot Brisket sauce.
Step 2: Prepare the Flavorful Sauce
While your onions and garlic are getting cozy, grab a small bowl. Whisk together the beef broth, barbecue sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. This sauce will coat the brisket and infuse every fiber of the meat with bold, layered taste during the pressure cooking process.
Step 3: Add the Brisket and Sauce
Once the sautéing is done, turn off Sauté mode and lay the brisket into the pot, making sure the fat side is facing up. This way, as it cooks, the fat will naturally baste the meat beneath. Pour your sauce mixture over the top, ensuring it trickles down and coats every nook and cranny. Trust me: you want that flavor in every single bite.
Step 4: Pressure Cook
Secure the lid on your Instant Pot and set it to High Pressure for 75 minutes. Don’t worry, it may sound long, but this is what transforms a tough cut into something fork-tender and satisfying. When the timer’s up, allow the pressure to naturally release for 15 minutes—this ensures juicy brisket. Then, release any remaining pressure manually and carefully open the lid.
Step 5: Rest and Slice
Move your Instant Pot Brisket to a cutting board and let it rest for at least ten minutes. This gives the juices time to redistribute, so each slice is juicy—not dry. Grab a sharp knife and slice across the grain for the most tender results. If you want a thicker sauce, return the Instant Pot to Sauté mode and simmer until it reduces to your desired consistency.
How to Serve Instant Pot Brisket
Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or chives adds a pop of color and herby freshness that makes your Instant Pot Brisket look as incredible as it tastes. If you’re a fan of a little heat, try thinly sliced jalapeños or a dash of smoked salt on top for extra personality.
Side Dishes
This brisket absolutely shines when paired with mashed potatoes, roasted root vegetables, or a crisp, tangy slaw. The rich sauce soaks perfectly into soft potato or rice, making every mouthful more luscious than the last. For a lighter feel, offer up steamed green beans or sautéed greens.
Creative Ways to Present
Feeling adventurous? Serve Instant Pot Brisket piled into toasted brioche buns for the juiciest sandwiches, or nestle it inside tacos topped with crunchy slaw. For parties, slice it thin, set out small rolls and pickles, and let everyone build their own brisket sliders—the ultimate crowd-pleaser.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Instant Pot Brisket keeps like a dream! Simply transfer cooled slices and sauce to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. The flavors continue to mingle and deepen overnight, often making leftovers even better for next-day sandwiches or hash.
Freezing
If you want to stash some away for a future meal, let the brisket and sauce cool completely, then seal tightly in freezer-safe bags or containers. You can freeze for up to 3 months. It’s best to slice the brisket before freezing—this way, you can thaw just what you need.
Reheating
To reheat, add the brisket and sauce to a covered skillet over low heat or pop in the microwave with a splash of broth to keep it moist. For best results, heat slices gently until hot all the way through. If reheating a larger portion, use a 300°F oven, covered, until it’s steaming and tender again.
FAQs
Can I use a frozen brisket for Instant Pot Brisket?
You can start with a frozen brisket—just skip the sauté step and add 15–20 minutes to your pressure cooking time. However, fresh or fully thawed brisket gives the best flavor and texture, especially if you want that gorgeous onion and garlic foundation.
What size Instant Pot works best for this recipe?
A 6-quart Instant Pot comfortably fits up to a 4-pound brisket. If you have an 8-quart model, you can easily double the recipe (just don’t overfill). For smaller pots, opt for a 2–3 pound piece instead.
Do I have to marinate the brisket before cooking?
While marinating the brisket in the sauce mixture for a few hours deepens the flavors, it’s totally optional. The pressure cooker locks in goodness either way, but marinating adds an extra layer of deliciousness if you have time to spare.
Can I substitute another cut of beef?
Brisket is ideal because its fat and connective tissue melt down beautifully under pressure. If you must substitute, try chuck roast for a similar texture—just be aware that cooking times may vary slightly.
Is Instant Pot Brisket gluten-free?
Absolutely! As long as your soy sauce and barbecue sauce are certified gluten-free, your Instant Pot Brisket will be entirely safe for gluten-sensitive guests.
Final Thoughts
This Instant Pot Brisket recipe is pure comfort made easy—no smoker or all-day oven required. Give it a try for your next family meal or special occasion and see just how satisfying, tender, and flavorful pressure cooker brisket can really be. I can’t wait for you to share it with your own brisket-loving crew!
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Instant Pot Brisket Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Tender and flavorful Instant Pot Brisket cooked to perfection in a savory sauce. This easy recipe yields a delicious main course that’s sure to impress.
Ingredients
Beef Brisket:
3–4 pounds beef brisket, trimmed
Onion and Garlic:
1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 large onion, sliced, 4 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce:
1 cup beef broth, 1/2 cup barbecue sauce, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Sauté Onions: Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode, heat olive oil, sauté onions until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Prepare Sauce: Whisk together beef broth, barbecue sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Cook Brisket: Place brisket in pot, pour sauce over it. Cook on High Pressure for 75 minutes. Natural release for 15 minutes, then quick release.
- Rest and Slice: Transfer brisket to board, let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Optional Sauce Thickening: Simmer sauce to thicken before serving.
Notes
- Marinate brisket in sauce for extra flavor.
- Serve with mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pressure Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 oz
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
