Beef Brisket
Pressure cooker beef brisketBeef Brisket by the best everyday methods and appliances.
Each variation is built around a specific method and equipment. Pick one first, then the instructions, ingredients, and actions below update to that exact approach.
Step-by-step
- 1
Prep Your Brisket for the Instant Pot
Trim the brisket, leaving a thin fat cap on top to keep the meat moist. Cut it in half to fit a 6-quart Instant Pot. Pat dry with paper towels, then season generously with salt, pepper, and celery salt. Optional: rub on a small amount of liquid smoke before seasoning. Set meat aside and prep your braising liquid, such as beer mixed with Worcestershire sauce. Slice your onion and have everything ready before you start the pot.
- 2
Pressure Cooking Beef Brisket in the Instant Pot
Set the Instant Pot to sauté and add a little oil. Sear the brisket pieces in batches, about 6 minutes per side, until browned on each side. Remove and set aside. Deglaze the pot with your braising liquid — beer and Worcestershire sauce work well — scraping up all the browned bits from the bottom. Return the brisket to the pot fat side up, layer sliced onion on top, lock the lid, and close the pressure-release valve. Pressure cook on HIGH for 70 minutes. The pot takes 5 to 7 minutes to reach full pressure before the timer starts. Total time including pressurization is typically 90 to 120 minutes. As a sizing guide, allow 20 to 25 minutes per pound under pressure. Increase cook time for larger cuts. When the timer ends, natural-release for 10 minutes, then carefully quick-release any remaining pressure. Open the lid and check the brisket for doneness before removing.
- 3
Doneness, Rest, and Serve
Check for fork tenderness — meat should pierce and pull apart easily. Confirm with an instant-read thermometer: 195°F to 203°F at the thickest part. Not tender yet? Reseal and pressure-cook an additional 10 to 15 minutes, then check again. Remove brisket and tent loosely with foil. Rest at least 10 minutes so juices redistribute. Slice against the grain. For gravy, strain cooking juices into the pot on sauté, bring to a boil, whisk in a cornstarch-and-water slurry, and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes. Do not quick-release pressure — it tightens the fibers and toughens the meat.
60-day free trial
Let Homii's AI run your kitchen
- Chef Mii plans meals around your tastes, schedule & budget
- A full week of dinners built in seconds
- Smart shopping lists, auto-organized by aisle
- Adapts every recipe for allergies & serving sizes
No credit card required
Event planning
Hosting a dinner? Coordinate who brings what
Create a shareable signup page for potlucks and group meals — guests RSVP, claim dishes, and see open slots.
- One shareable link — no more spreadsheet chaos
- Guests RSVP, add headcount, and claim exactly what they bring
60-day free trial · No credit card