How long does it generally take to cook a brisket?

Cooking a 3-to-4 pound brisket takes about three hours on the stove top or in the oven. Cooking a brisket in a slow cooker takes about six to seven hours on high heat or 12 to 14 hours on low heat.

To cook a brisket in the oven, trim the fat from the brisket, and place it in a 13-inch by 9-inch baking dish. Pour the desired cooking liquid over the meat, and cover the pan with foil. Bake in a 325 F oven for three hours or until tender. Turn the brisket in the middle of the cooking time. To serve, cut the brisket across the grain into thin slices.