Instant Pot BBQ Beef Brisket

Instant Pot BBQ Beef Brisket brings all the bold, smoky flavors of slow-cooked barbecue brisket to your table in a fraction of the time. Traditionally, brisket takes hours to smoke or braise, but with the Instant Pot, you get the same fall-apart tenderness and deep flavor in under two hours. The brisket is seasoned with a sweet and smoky rub, pressure cooked until melt-in-your-mouth tender, and finished with a thick layer of sticky, caramelized barbecue sauce.

This recipe is perfect for holiday dinners, game day events, summer cookouts, or cozy family meals. The result is juicy, perfectly seasoned brisket with a glossy BBQ glaze that feels like a celebration on a plate.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it delivers that classic barbecue flavor without babysitting a smoker or waiting all day. The Instant Pot breaks down the tough brisket fibers perfectly, and the flavor of the spice rub and sauce truly shines. It’s reliable, rich, and surprisingly easy—no grilling mastery required.

Why This Dish Is a Must Try

Authentic BBQ flavor without long cooking time
Feeds a crowd and great for leftovers
Extremely tender, juicy, and flavorful
Easy enough for weeknights but impressive enough for guests
Works for sandwiches, plates, tacos, nachos, and more

One bite and it becomes an instant keeper in your recipe collection.

Recipe Details

• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Cooking Time: 75–90 minutes (plus release time)
• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes – 2 hours
• Servings: 6–8 servings
• Calories: Approximately 520 calories per serving
• Course: Main Course
• Cuisine: American (Southern BBQ style)

Ingredients

For the Brisket

• 3–4 lb (1.3–1.8 kg) beef brisket, trimmed
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Dry Rub

• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

Pressure Cooking Liquid

• 1 cup beef broth
• ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• ½ cup BBQ sauce
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Finishing Sauce

• 1–1½ cups BBQ sauce (your favorite brand or homemade)

Cooking Directions (Quick Overview)

1. Rub brisket with seasoning.
2. Sear brisket in Instant Pot.
3. Add liquids and pressure cook.
4. Shred or slice brisket.
5. Broil or sauté with BBQ sauce until caramelized.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

Step 1: Season the Brisket

Mix rub ingredients. Pat brisket dry and coat thoroughly on all sides.

Step 2: Sear the Meat

Turn Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add oil and brown brisket 3–4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.

Step 3: Deglaze

Pour broth into the pot and scrape browned bits from the bottom—this prevents the burn warning.

Step 4: Pressure Cook

Add vinegar, BBQ sauce, and Worcestershire. Place brisket back in the pot.

Seal and cook on:

High Pressure: 75–90 minutes, depending on thickness
Allow 10–15 minute natural release

Step 5: Slice or Shred

Remove brisket and rest 10 minutes. Slice against the grain or shred for pulled-style serving.

Step 6: Sauce and Finish

Brush brisket with BBQ sauce.

Optional but recommended:

• Broil in oven for 3–5 minutes until caramelized
  OR
• Use Instant Pot Sauté mode to simmer sauce around brisket until thick and shiny.

How to Serve

Serve brisket warm with:

• Mashed potatoes
• Cornbread
• Coleslaw
• Mac and cheese
• Roasted vegetables
• Buttered corn

Perfect for:

• Sandwiches
• Tacos
• Sliders
• BBQ bowls

Recipe Tips

Always slice brisket against the grain for tenderness.
Broiling adds amazing smoky caramelization—don’t skip it.
Allow a natural release to keep meat juicy.
Trim thick fat, but leave a thin layer for flavor.

Variations

• Spicy Style: Add chipotle peppers in adobo or extra cayenne.
• Sweet & Smoky: Add maple syrup or honey to the sauce.
• Texas Style: Skip sugar and use a pepper-forward rub with heavy paprika.
• Beer Brisket: Replace broth with dark beer for richness.

Freezing & Storage

• Fridge: Store in airtight container up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze sliced or shredded brisket with sauce up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Warm on stovetop, Instant Pot (Steam mode), microwave, or oven with a splash of broth.

Special Equipment Needed

• Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker
• Tongs
• Baking sheet (if broiling)
• Meat thermometer (optional)

FAQ

Q: Can I cook this recipe without searing?
Yes, but searing adds flavor and improves texture.

Q: Can I cook the brisket from frozen?
Yes—add 20 extra minutes to pressure cook time and skip searing.

Q: Can I use this recipe with pork or chicken?
Absolutely—pork shoulder and chicken thighs work well.

Conclusion

Instant Pot BBQ Beef Brisket is rich, tender, full of smoky-sweet flavor, and impossibly satisfying. With minimal prep and modern pressure cooking convenience, you can bring authentic barbecue flavor to your table any day of the week. Whether served on a plate or piled high on a sandwich, this brisket is guaranteed to impress and become a repeat favorite