If you've got some leftover smoked brisket in your fridge, we've got the perfect solution for you - smoked brisket tacos! Imagine tender, smoky brisket piled high onto a soft tortilla with fresh toppings like cilantro, onions, and a squeeze of lime. These tacos are sure to impress and are a delicious way to use up those leftovers.
Since it's hard to find a good Mexican restaurant here in the countryside, we have homemade taco night pretty often around here!
And after perfecting a juicy, tender Texas-style smoked beef brisket recipe, let's just say our fridge is 10% electric metal stuff and 90% brisket, bless it.
We've had plenty of saucy, shredded bbq beef sandwiches from our leftover beef brisket the last couple days, but I was thinking...
...why not turn them into street tacos?
These beef tacos is a great way to use up leftovers that your whole family will enjoy. They're perfect for busy nights, have amazing flavor, and have the best toppings, in my humble opinion ;).
It's the perfect addition to your summer time meal plan, especially if you're barbecuing a ton this season!
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Equipment
To make these deliciously tender beef brisket tacos, you'll need the following equipment:
- Cutting board and a sharp knife - for chopping the brisket and preparing the toppings
- Large Skillet or baking sheet - for reheating the brisket
- Immersion Blender or food processor - for making the Avocado Cilantro Lime Crema
- Tongs - for warming the corn tortillas on the stovetop
- Cast Iron Skillet - the best thing to warm up or cook tortillas in!
Ingredients
Full ingredients, measurements, and printable instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
This brisket tacos recipe is broken down into three main components.
Leftover Smoked Brisket
The star of this dish, leftover smoked brisket is tender, flavorful beef that has been slow-cooked and smoked to perfection.
- Leftover Smoked Brisket - if you've never smoked your own brisket, I highly suggest it. If you've never smoked a brisket, I know it seems pretty intimidating. My Guide for Pellet Grill Brisket breaks it down so you get a fantastic brisket your very first time.
- Corn Tortillas - there is nothing like making your own tortillas, it's actually pretty easy and tastes way better than the store bought ones! Is anything better than fresh, warm tortillas for tacos?
Avocado Cilantro Lime Crema
This is a creamy, tangy sauce made from ripe avocados, sour cream, chili powder, lime juice, and fresh cilantro leaves. It's honestly my favorite food right now!
This pale green crema adds a smooth, zesty contrast to the smoky brisket and crunchy toppings, elevating the tacos by providing a refreshing, cooling element contrast with the rich, smoky meat.
I absolutely love it on tacos, burgers, but eating it straight up with tortilla chips is my favorite way. It's that good!
Other Toppings
The best part about Taco Tuesday is all the toppings! I suggest using a wide variety of toppings to add extra flavor, texture, and color (and to help you clean out the fridge).
Some of our favorites include:
- roasted chili corn salsa, which adds a sweet and spicy kick;
- some Avocado Pico de Gallo, a fresh, mild, and chunky tomato salsa mixed with creamy avocado;
- Cotija Cheese, a crumbly, salty Mexican cheese;
- restaurant style salsa, a smooth, blended mildly spiced tomato salsa;
- or my favorite seasoned black beans.
Feel free to customize your tacos with any other toppings you like to create a well-rounded, satisfying meal.
How To Make Leftover Smoked Brisket Tacos
This easy recipe for brisket tacos comes together in a snap.
Warm the brisket up in a saucepan or in the oven wrapped in foil. If you want to add mexican seasoning or bbq sauce, go for it!
Warm up the tortillas on a plancha or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat for about a minute on each side.
Fill the tortillas with brisket and various taco toppings and eat up!
Variations & Substitutions
Wondering what to do with your leftover smoked brisket? You’ve hit the jackpot. This leftover brisket tacos recipe is the perfect way to transform your leftover brisket into a brand new, mouthwateringly satisfying meal that's perfect for warmer weather.
Packed with smoky, beefy flavor and topped with a creamy, zippy Avocado Cilantro Lime Crema, these smoked brisket tacos are sure to become a family favorite. And as much as we love this leftover smoked brisket tacos recipe, feel free to customize it suit your taste! Here are some suggestions:
- Just because I love corn as much as this kid doesn’t mean you do. You’re welcome to replace corn tortillas with flour tortillas if you prefer.
- If you're short on time, store-bought toppings are fine! Grab that salsa and guac out the fridge section and keep it rolling, honey. Perfect for busy nights!
- You can also use leftover roast beef, pulled pork, or pulled chicken to make a fabulous taco spread. For a vegetarian option, substitute the brisket with grilled or roasted vegetables.
- Swap out the sour cream in the crema for Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier flavor.
- Get creative with your toppings! Other fun ideas include sliced fresh or pickled jalapeños, fresh cilantro, pickled red onions, a melty cheese like pepper jack, or a sharp one like cheddar cheese
- Make these into bbq brisket tacos by tossing the leftover meat with bbq sauce while warming it up.
Pro-Tips
- Make sure to chop the leftover meat into bite-sized pieces for easier eating. Slices of brisket will be too hard to break apart with your teeth in a taco.
- To keep the tortillas warm and pliable, wrap them in a clean kitchen towel after heating or inside a tortilla warmer.
- Feel free to use the tender stems of your cilantro in the crema — unlike some other herbs that have woody and bitter stems, cilantro is delectable far beyond the leaves.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these yummy smoked brisket tacos with your favorite Mexican or Tex-Mex inspired sides like cilantro lime rice, refried beans, or grilled corn with cilantro butter.
You can also keep it light with a simple green salad or shredded cabbage lightly dressed with lime juice, EVOO, salt, and pepper.
Bring some tortilla chips over to help finish off the avocado crema and pico de gallo!
Make sure to offer up a hearty spread of all your favorite brisket tacos toppings buffet-style so everyone can customize their own plate. Don't forget the hot sauce!
Oh, and since it's summertime, don't forget about the cocktails — we like to wash these down with a pitcher of margaritas or virgin palomas.
Make-Ahead, Storage, & Reheating
One of my favorite things about this leftover brisket recipe is that it's perfect for meal prep.
- You can make the Avocado Cilantro Lime Crema up to 3 days ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
- The brisket can also be made up to 5 days in advance if stored in the fridge, or up to 3 months in advance if you're using the freezer.
- Depending on your topping choices, you can also prep them and store them separately up to several days in advance.
When taco time arrives, simply reheat the brisket in a skillet over medium heat. If you're wondering how to reheat smoked brisket without drying it out, try adding a splash of beef broth to the skillet to keep it moist and flavorful.
Warm the tortillas on a dry skillet or directly over a gas flame for a few seconds on each side. Assemble your tacos, and you're good to go!
FAQs
Our Avocado Cilantro Lime Crema is a fantastic sauce for brisket tacos. However, feel free to experiment with other sauces like chipotle mayo, spicy ranch, or even a simple squeeze of some juicy lime wedges.
Absolutely! Transform your leftover brisket into brisket breakfast tacos by adding scrambled eggs, sautéed onions, and bell peppers to your filling. Top with cheese, salsa, and a dollop of sour cream for a satisfying morning meal.
To make shredded brisket tacos, simply use two forks to pull apart the leftover brisket into thin shreds.
Absolutely! You can freeze it for future leftover brisket meals for up to 3 months. To do so, wrap the brisket tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating and using in your tacos.
More Beef Recipes
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Smoked Brisket Tacos
Ingredients
- 2 cups leftover smoked brisket, chopped
- 8 corn tortillas, warmed
Avocado Cilantro Lime Crema
- ¼ cup cilantro leaves
- 2 avocados, peeled and pitted
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- Juice of 1 lime
Other Toppings
- Roasted Chili Corn Salsa
- Pico de Gallo
- Cotija Cheese
- Restaurant Style Salsa
Instructions
- Make the Avocado Cilantro Lime Crema
- Place all the crema ingredients into a medium mixing bowl or a blender or food processor, if not using an immersion blender.
- Blend with the immersion blender until smooth.
- Make the Brisket Tacos
- Warm the chopped brisket in a low 325 degree F oven on a baking sheet wrapped in foil until warmed through.
- Place the brisket into the warmed corn tortillas and top with your favorite toppings.
Recipe Notes
Make-Ahead, Storage, & Reheating
One of my favorite things about this leftover brisket recipe is that it's perfect for meal prep.- You can make the Avocado Cilantro Lime Crema up to 3 days ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
- The brisket can also be made up to 5 days in advance if stored in the fridge, or up to 3 months in advance if you're using the freezer.
- Depending on your topping choices, you can also prep them and store them separately up to several days in advance.
Variations & Substitutions
As much as we love this leftover smoked brisket tacos recipe, feel free to customize it suit your taste! Here are some suggestions:- You’re welcome to replace corn tortillas with flour tortillas if you prefer.
- If you're short on time, store-bought toppings are fine! Grab that salsa and guac out the fridge section and keep it rolling, honey. Perfect for busy nights!
- You can also use leftover roast beef, pulled pork, or pulled chicken to make a fabulous taco spread. For a vegetarian option, substitute the brisket with grilled or roasted vegetables.
- Swap out the sour cream in the crema for Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier flavor.
- Get creative with your toppings! Other fun ideas include sliced fresh or pickled jalapeños, fresh cilantro, pickled red onions, a melty cheese like pepper jack, or a sharp one like cheddar cheese
- Make these into bbq brisket tacos by tossing the leftover meat with bbq sauce while warming it up.
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