Tender beef brisket wrapped in smoky, crispy bacon is the kind of comfort-food dinner that immediately gets attention at the table. This slow cooker version keeps the preparation simple while giving the meat plenty of time to become juicy, flavorful, and fork-tender.
The best part is that you only need four basic ingredients. After a few minutes of preparation, the slow cooker handles most of the work. A quick finish under the broiler gives the bacon those irresistible golden, crispy edges.
Why You’ll Love This Bacon-Wrapped Brisket
Brisket is naturally a tougher cut of beef, which makes slow cooking an excellent way to prepare it. Cooking it gently for several hours gives the connective tissue time to soften, creating tender meat without requiring constant attention.
Wrapping the brisket in bacon adds another layer of savory flavor. As the bacon cooks, some of its rendered fat and smoky flavor mingle with the beef and seasonings.
This recipe is especially useful when you want a hearty weekend dinner or an impressive meal without spending hours actively working in the kitchen.
Ingredients
Servings: 6
- 3 to 4 pounds beef brisket
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
- 12 to 16 slices thick-cut bacon
If your brisket has a particularly thick fat cap, trim away some of the excess before seasoning. You don’t need to remove every bit of fat because a moderate amount helps keep the meat flavorful during cooking.
How to Make Slow Cooker Bacon-Wrapped Brisket
1. Prepare the Brisket
Remove the brisket from its packaging and pat it thoroughly dry with paper towels.
Season the entire surface with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Don’t forget the sides and ends. Gently press the seasoning into the meat so it stays in place.
2. Create the Bacon Layer
Place a large sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil on your work surface. You can add parchment paper or another sheet of foil over it to make handling the brisket easier.
Arrange about half of the bacon slices next to one another, slightly overlapping them. The bacon layer should be roughly the same width as the brisket.
Place the seasoned brisket over the bacon.
3. Wrap the Brisket
Arrange the remaining bacon slices across the top of the brisket.
Wrap the bacon around the sides of the meat, overlapping the strips where necessary. Tuck the loose ends underneath so the brisket is covered as evenly as possible.
The bacon doesn’t need to look perfect. It will shrink slightly and settle around the meat as everything cooks.
4. Transfer to the Slow Cooker
Carefully place the bacon-wrapped brisket into your slow cooker with the bacon seams facing downward.
Make sure the brisket fits comfortably enough for the lid to close completely.
5. Cook Until Tender
Cover and cook on:
LOW for approximately 8 to 10 hours
or
HIGH for approximately 5 to 6 hours
Cooking times can vary depending on the size and thickness of the brisket as well as the slow cooker itself.
The brisket should be very tender when finished. A fork should slide into the meat easily, and the beef should pull apart without much resistance.
The Secret to Crispy Bacon
Slow cookers are excellent at producing tender meat, but the moist cooking environment doesn’t usually make bacon particularly crispy.
That’s where the broiler comes in.
When the brisket is tender, preheat your oven broiler and line a baking sheet with foil.
Carefully transfer the brisket from the slow cooker onto the prepared baking sheet. The meat will be very soft at this point, so using two sturdy spatulas can make transferring it easier.
Spoon a small amount of the cooking juices over the brisket.
Place it under the broiler for about 3 to 6 minutes, watching it closely.
The bacon should become deeply golden with crisp edges. Broilers work quickly, so don’t walk away during this step.
Let the Brisket Rest
Once the bacon looks crispy, remove the brisket from the oven and allow it to rest for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
Resting makes the meat easier to handle and gives the juices a chance to settle.
For slices, cut the brisket against the grain. If yours is exceptionally tender, you can also pull it apart into larger pieces.
Make sure every serving gets some crispy bacon.
What to Serve With Bacon-Wrapped Brisket
This rich and savory brisket pairs especially well with classic comfort-food sides.
Try serving it with:
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Garlic roasted potatoes
- Green beans
- Roasted carrots
- Coleslaw
- Garden salad
- Cornbread
- Dinner rolls
A spoonful of the flavorful cooking juices over mashed potatoes is an easy way to bring the entire plate together.
Easy Brisket Sandwiches
Leftovers can easily become another meal the following day.
Warm the brisket gently, then pile pieces of beef and bacon onto toasted rolls. Add your favorite barbecue sauce or a little Dijon mustard.
Top the sandwich with crunchy pickles or coleslaw for some contrast against the rich meat.
Tips for the Best Results
Choose Thick-Cut Bacon
Thicker bacon holds up better during several hours of slow cooking and gives you more substantial crispy pieces after broiling.
Don’t Over-Trim the Brisket
Remove very thick areas of exterior fat, but leaving some fat behind can contribute flavor and moisture as the brisket cooks.
Cook on LOW When Possible
The LOW setting takes longer, but it’s a convenient choice when you want to prepare the brisket in the morning and serve it later in the day.
Watch the Broiler Carefully
The difference between beautifully caramelized bacon and burned bacon can be surprisingly short. Stay near the oven and check frequently.
Slice Against the Grain
Look for the direction of the muscle fibers and slice across them rather than parallel to them. This produces pieces that are easier to chew.
How to Store Leftovers
Allow leftover brisket to cool before transferring it to an airtight container.
Store it in the refrigerator and reheat only the portion you plan to eat. Adding a spoonful of the reserved cooking juices while reheating can help prevent the beef from drying out.
For best texture, warm the brisket gently rather than cooking it aggressively a second time.
A Simple Dinner With Big Flavor
This slow cooker bacon-wrapped brisket proves that a satisfying centerpiece doesn’t require a complicated ingredient list.
The beef cooks slowly until tender while the bacon adds plenty of savory flavor. Finishing everything under the broiler gives you the contrast that makes this dish especially appealing, juicy brisket underneath and crispy bacon on top.
Serve it with mashed potatoes and vegetables for a comforting dinner, then turn any leftovers into brisket sandwiches the next day. It’s simple, hearty, and perfect when you want the slow cooker to handle most of the work.
