Instant Pot Brisket

What is Beef Brisket?

Beef brisket is a tough cut of meat. If cooked properly, brisket can be broken down into flavorful, tender goodness – a buttery rich beefy meat. yum!

Traditional American Texas-style barbecue smoked brisket is usually prepared by rubbing the brisket with a dry spice rub, then cooking the beef brisket slowly over charcoal or wood.

Why Instant Pot Brisket?

This Instant Pot Beef Brisket can’t replace a good Texas-style barbecue smoked brisket, but it’s definitely an awesome shortcut & great alternative. Especially when you don’t have access to a grill & smoker! 😀

You’ll fall in love with the buttery tender beef with some chew, bursting with moist & juicy beefy flavors. Plus the super yummy smoky, sweet, savory, spicy homemade bbq sauce. oh soo good!!

Saves you time, plus less hassle to make this deliciously gorgeous brisket to cure your bbq cravings! yaasssss!!

Time to enjoy this Instant Pot Brisket!

Step-by-Step How to Cook Instant Pot Brisket

Cooking Tips Instant Pot Brisket 

We like the fat cap attached to our brisket because it helps protect the meat from drying during the cooking process. But you can also use one without the fat cap.

*Note: If you’re not trimming the fat cap, make sure to keep the fat cap facing up when you put it in the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker.

Dry Rub Brisket

In a glass mixing bowl, mix dry rub ingredients together.

• 2 tablespoons (26g) brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons (5g) 
• 2 teaspoons (4g) ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon (2.4g) onion powder
• 1 teaspoon (2.8g) garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon (3g) cinnamon powder
• 1 teaspoon (6g) coarse kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon (1g) cumin seed, ground
• ½ teaspoon (1g) fennel seed, ground
• ¼ teaspoon (0.5g) cayenne pepper

Rub the dry rub mixture on the brisket, then let it marinate for at least 2 hours (preferably overnight, so the salt can penetrate into the meat).

Pressure Cook Beef Brisket

Add sliced onion, minced garlic, 1 tbsp (15ml) maple syrup, 1 tbsp (15ml) honey, 2 tbsp (30ml) apple cider vinegar, 3 – 5 drops liquid smoke, and ½ cup (125ml) unsalted chicken stock to the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker. Mix well.

Add marinated beef brisket in Instant Pot.

*Pro Tip: make sure to keep the fat cap facing up when you put it into the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker.

Close lid and turn Venting Knob to Sealing position.

• Pressure Cooking Method: Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 75 minute and Natural Release for 15 minutes.

After 15 minutes, release the remaining pressure by turning the Venting Knob to the Venting position.

Remove the lid carefully.

Thicken Homemade BBQ Sauce

Carefully place cooked brisket on a chopping board and let it rest.

If you think the sauce is too oily, now is a good time to use a fat separator to remove the oil.

Bring the BBQ sauce back to a simmer by pressing the “Cancel” button, then “Saute” button.

Mix in 1 cup (250ml) ketchup, 2 tbsp (30g) Dijon mustard, and 1 tbsp (13g) brown sugar in Instant Pot.

Let the BBQ sauce thicken by simmering for 8 – 15 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt if necessary.

Serve Instant Pot Brisket with BBQ Sauce

Generously brush the addictively yummy BBQ sauce all over the brisket.

*Pro Tip: we used a blowtorch to slightly caramelize the BBQ sauce on the brisket to bring out more flavor. You can also caramelize by broiling in an oven.

Slice your Instant Pot Brisket against the grain to maximize tenderness.

*Pro Tip: If you didn’t marinate the brisket long enough. You will want to sprinkle some salt on the sliced briskets to season them better.

Your delicious & beautiful BBQ Brisket is ready to serve! Serve with BBQ sauce.

Enjoy your Gorgeously delicious Instant Pot Brisket!~ 🙂

Tools for Instant Pot Brisket

• Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker
• Fat Separator
• Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set
• Silicone Basting Brush
• Culinary Torch

More Instant Pot BBQ Recipes You’ll Love

Instant Pot BBQ Ribs

Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork