Leftover Beef Brisket Sandwiches
Transform that leftover moist, fork-tender beef brisket into crowd-pleasing sandwiches, easy back-to-school lunches, and a comfort food fix on crazy weeknights. Get your favorite toppings together, and build a perfect beef brisket sandwich.
We smoked a couple of beef briskets at our last family cookout, and we had a lot of leftovers (totally planned, one for the party and the other one for later).
Reheat the shredded beef, set up a sandwich bar with the buns and the chosen toppings, and you’ve got an easy weekend comfort food. My son swears he loves it more than when it’s fresh out of the smoker.
Traditional Toppings
A tangy BBQ sauce with a vinegar base does a great job lightening up the heaviness of the fat, and coleslaw adds a refreshing crunch. Then dill pickles, bread and butter pickles, or pickled red onions round it all out. Cheese is optional, but those who add it usually choose Provolone, Swiss, or sharp Cheddar.
The bread is also important. You’ll want a sturdy bun; brioche gives you a sweet twist, potato rolls are nice and soft, and Texas toast gives it a Southern vibe. After that, have fun with what you love. Pickled or fresh jalapeños and fried onions are also great toppers.
How to Make Brisket Sandwiches
Assemble all your ingredients, heat the leftover brisket, optionally toast the buns, and make crave-worthy sandwiches.
Recipe Notes
- If the leftover brisket is slightly dry, add moisture and enhance the flavor with a bit of barbecue sauce, beef broth, or au jus before assembling the sandwiches.
- Choose a style of bread that holds up to the heaviness of brisket, such as a sturdy roll, ciabatta, or sourdough. These bread options have a nice texture and can handle the brisket’s weight and juiciness without getting soggy.
What Pairs Well With Beef Brisket Sandwiches
Traditional pairings include coleslaw, mac and cheese, potato chips, potato salad, baked beans, and cucumber tomato salad, but don’t let tradition narrow your choices. A refreshing Greek, pineapple cucumber, or shaved Brussels sprout salad is wonderful.
More Mouthwatering Sandwich Recipes to Enjoy
By Imma
Leftover Beef Brisket Sandwiches
Ingredients
Classic Fillings
- 30 ounces (850g) leftover brisket
- ½ cup (80g) pickled jalapeños
- ½-1 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup (270g) BBQ sauce
- 6 slices cheese (any melty cheese like cheddar, Colby, Jack, and Provolone)
- 6 buns or 12 slices of bread (see notes)
- 1 tablespoon (14g) unsalted butter
Optional Toppings
- caramelized onions
- coleslaw
- horseradish sauce
- sliced avocado
Instructions
Reheating Brisket in the Oven
- Preheat the oven to around 325°F (163°C) and place the leftovers in an oven-safe baking dish.
- Then add a little liquid (beef broth, pineapple juice, or BBQ sauce) to moisten the brisket.
- Cover the baking dish to keep the meat from drying out, and place it in the preheated oven.
- Heat the brisket for 15-20 minutes until heated through, being careful not to overcook it.
Reheating Brisket on the Stovetop
- Heat a cast-iron skillet (or whatever skillet you have) on medium and add a little oil or butter.
- Next, add the chopped brisket and cook for a few minutes until heated through, stirring as needed. Add broth for moister brisket if desired.
The Sandwiches
- If toasting the buns, preheat a skillet over medium heat. Slice the buns in half, lightly butter them, and put them cut side down on the grill or skillet. Toast them for 1-2 minutes until they become lightly golden and crisp.
- Take the bottom half of the bun and lay it down on a plate or cutting board.
- Add a layer of sliced brisket on the bread, covering the surface evenly.
- Drizzle BBQ sauce over the brisket and distribute it evenly.
- Add your desired toppings. Close the bun and enjoy your BBQ brisket sandwich!
Tips & Notes:
- If the leftover brisket is slightly dry, add a bit of barbecue sauce, beef broth, or au jus before assembling the sandwich.
- The recipe calls for 6 buns or 12 slices of bread for a medium sandwich. If you put less meat, you can make more sandwiches, and, of course, more meat makes fewer sandwiches.
- Layer the ingredients starting with the heaviest first. The brisket slices, then the BBQ sauce, horseradish, mustard, etc., then the cheese, caramelized onions, and pickles. Finish it with the fresh greens or your favorite sliced veggies for a refreshing crunch.
- Please remember that the nutritional data is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on the products used in the recipe.
Thank you so much for the tips on the kind of bread and toppings. We always make an extra brisket for leftover makeovers.