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Brisket Tacos are my go-to meal for busy nights. The brisket slow cooks in a punchy sauce until it falls apart. Then you pile it onto warm corn tortillas with your favorite fixings. Every bite is messy, saucy, and completely irresistible.

A platter of four tacos filled with shredded meat, sliced jalapeños, pickled red onions, shredded purple cabbage, diced tomatoes, cilantro, and cheese, garnished with lime wedges.

We’ve made tacos on the regular in my kitchen for years, but this brisket taco recipe hit different. When I tested it the first time, the house smelled so good all day that my kids started asking when dinner would be ready before lunch was even over.

One bite, and they were asking if it could go in the rotation.

These slow cooker brisket tacos turn any night into a feast.

If you love easy family recipes like this, you’ll also want to check out my Dutch Oven Brisket, Ninja Foodi Chicken Breast, and Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes for more easy dinners that bring everyone to the table.

A package of Wild Fork boneless beef brisket flat cut on a cutting board next to two white measuring cups filled with assorted spices and seasonings.

An assortment of ingredients on a white surface, including a can of crushed tomatoes, two jalapeños, a red bell pepper, an onion, corn tortillas, grated cotija cheese, and three small glasses with different liquids.

Let’s Talk Ingredients

In my kitchen, I start with a flat-cut brisket because it cooks evenly and shreds beautifully after a long day in the slow cooker. You can use a point-cut if that’s what you’ve got, but know it’ll be a little fattier, and you may want to skim the sauce.

The first time I made this, the jalapeno pepper was a hit. Then, the next time I tested it, the jalapeno didn't show up in my grocery order. Since I always keep Chipotle chili peppers in the pantry and freezer, I grabbed two and used them instead. The kids absolutely LOVED the smoky heat it brought.

I used light brown sugar, but you can sub in coconut sugar or a sugar-free brown sugar alternative.

If you don’t have crushed tomatoes, fire-roasted diced tomatoes add great smoky flavor.

Cojita cheese adds that salty finish I love, but if you can’t find it, crumbled queso fresco or even shredded cheddar will do the trick.

Step-by-Step Instructions

A blue bowl filled with various seasonings and spices sits on a light countertop next to a brisket. — Mix the spice blend in a small bowl.

A brisket heavily coated with seasonings. — Rub over the meat; it will be a thick coating.

A seasoned brisket wrapped tightly in clear plastic wrap sits on a white surface. — Cover tightly with plastic wrap.

A piece of seasoned meat wrapped tightly in plastic wrap sits on a white surface. The surface of the meat is coated with various spices and herbs. — Refrigerate overnight.

Sliced raw onions arranged in overlapping rings at the bottom of a black slow cooker or pot. — Place onions in the bottom of the slow cooker.

A seasoned piece of meat sits inside a black slow cooker, ready to be cooked. The meat is coated with a dry rub of spices and is uncooked. — Add the meat on top.

A close-up of a slow cooker filled with a dark, seasoned liquid, pieces of meat, and a topping of finely chopped red and green bell peppers. — Add the broth, tomatoes, vegetables, and remaining ingredients.

A close-up of a tomato-based stew with chopped red and green peppers in a pot, showing a rich red color and a chunky texture. — Cook for 10 hours.

A close-up view of a pot filled with simmering reddish-brown liquid, possibly broth or sauce, with bubbles and steam visible on the surface. — Remove the meat from the slow cooker. Strain the sauce and cook on the stove until it is reduced by half.

A plate of four beef tacos in crispy shells, topped with shredded red cabbage, sliced jalapeños, cilantro, cheese, and lime wedges, with salsa and sliced jalapeños on the side.

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Four tacos filled with shredded meat, purple cabbage, pickled onions, jalapeño slices, tomatoes, cilantro, and crumbled cheese are arranged on a plate, garnished with lime slices, on a blue cloth.

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Slow Cooker Brisket Tacos Recipe

Prep Time10

Cook Time10 20

Total Time10 30

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 331kcal

Author: Wendy Polisi

Equipment

Slow Cooker

Ingredients

1 3-5 pound flat cut brisket
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 tablespoon oregano Mexican oregano is great if you have it
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Cooking

1 onion sliced
2 cups crushed tomatoes
1 ½ cups beef broth
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 red bell pepper chopped
1 jalapeno pepper chopped; or 2-3 chipotle chili peppers chopped

For Serving

12 corn tortillas
cotija cheese salsa, cilantro, guacamole or avocado, sour cream, pickled red onion, lettuce, lime juice, your favorite hot sauces

Instructions

Using a meat tenderizer (or fork), lightly prick the brisket all over.
Combine the chili powder, brown sugar, oregano, garlic powder, salt, cumin, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a bowl.
Rub the mixture over the meat. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Arrange the onion in the bottom of the slow cooker.
Add the seasoned meat and top with the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, soy sauce, and white vinegar. Sprinkle the red pepper and jalapeño pepper on top.
Cover and cook for 10 hours on low, or 6 hours on high.
Remove the meat from the slow cooker and tent with foil to rest.
Strain the remaining liquid and discard the vegetables. Transfer to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook until reduced by half, about 10 to 15 minutes.
Heat the tortillas in a skillet. Shred the beef with forks.
Top the tortillas with the shredded brisket and drizzle with about a tablespoon of the reduced sauce. Top with cheese, onions, jalapeno, and avocado.

Notes

Storage

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to five days. They are even better the next day! Reheat leftover brisket tacos in the microwave, air fryer, or oven.

Nutrition

Filed Under:

Beef Recipes Game Day Recipes Slow Cooker Recipes