Slow Cooker Chipotle Brisket Sliders: Bold, Tender, and Low Effort
These Slow Cooker Chipotle Brisket Sliders are bold, smoky, and incredibly tender. Cooked low and slow with chipotle peppers, garlic, and broth, the brisket shreds beautifully and soaks in every bit of flavor. Perfect for parties, tailgates, or cozy nights in, these sliders are easy to prep, freezer-friendly, and guaranteed to satisfy.
Ingredients
- 2.5 lbs beef brisket trimmed of excess fat
- 1 can 7 oz chipotle peppers in adobo
- 1 large onion sliced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 cup beef broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 10 slider buns
- Optional toppings: coleslaw pickles, cheese, pickled onions
Instructions
- Season and Sear: Pat the brisket dry. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Sear in a hot skillet (optional, but adds depth).
- Layer Your Cooker: Add onion, garlic, chipotle peppers, cumin, brown sugar, and broth to the bottom of your slow cooker. Place the brisket on top.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, or until fork-tender.
- Shred and Reduce: Remove the brisket, shred with two forks, and return it to the cooker. Let it soak in the sauce while it thickens.
- Assemble and Serve: Toast your slider buns, pile high with brisket, and add slaw or pickles if desired. Done.
Notes
Derek’s Secret Tips for Slow Cooker Chipotle Brisket Sliders
- Marinate Overnight for Deeper Flavor: Before slow cooking, let the seasoned brisket sit overnight in the fridge with the chipotle, garlic, and broth mixture. This gives the meat a chance to absorb every smoky, spicy note.
- Use a Coffee Rub Base: Mix 1 tsp of instant coffee or espresso powder into the dry rub (with the paprika and cumin). It adds a subtle depth and enhances the brisket’s beefy flavor without making it taste like coffee.
- Shred, Then Simmer with Sauce Lid-Off: After shredding the brisket, cook it uncovered on high for 15–20 minutes to let the sauce reduce and coat the meat with a sticky, flavor-packed glaze.
- Layer with Crunch: Sliders need texture. Add apple cider vinegar slaw, pickled onions, or crispy fried shallots. The contrast of soft meat and crunchy toppings makes every bite more dynamic.
- Toast Buns in Butter: Don’t skip this. Toast the insides of your slider buns with a touch of butter on a hot skillet. It keeps them from getting soggy and adds that warm, golden crispness.
- Add a Drizzle of Chipotle Mayo or Garlic Aioli: A quick blend of mayo, lime, and minced chipotle can be the creamy, smoky sauce that ties the slider together—especially if you’re skipping cheese.
- Serve with Pickle Juice on the Side: A splash of pickle brine or pepperoncini juice added to the brisket post-shredding balances out the richness and adds unexpected brightness.