Don't let that leftover brisket go to waste. Turn it into a mouthwatering smoked brisket sandwich sandwich for a delicious and easy dinner recipe for your summer get-togethers! Using juicy, tender brisket that's been slow-cooked to perfection, this dish is sure to satisfy even the heartiest of appetites.
This leftover brisket sandwich is ideal for a busy day or the day of your cookout! Rich barbecue brisket chopped up, covered in tangy bbq sauce, and topped with creamy, crunchy coleslaw is perfect to set up buffet style and have everyone make their own sandwiches.
Add grilled corn on the cob, soul food mac and cheese, and buttermilk cornbread, and you have yourself a real southern barbecue on your hands!
My husband's pellet grill brisket recipe is the base to these sandwiches, it's my favorite recipe for brisket because of how ingredients smoky, tender, and juicy the brisket turns out. We've had friends and family fight for leftovers over this brisket, that's how you know she's a total keeper.
After you slow smoke your brisket ahead of time, whip up a cold pitcher of lemonade or sweet tea and really get into those warm weather vibes.
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Equipment
- Mixing Bowls - For tossing your leftover brisket with sweet, tangy BBQ sauce and making our creamy, crunchy broccoli & purple cabbage slaw.
- Sharp Knife & Cutting Board - For chopping the brisket into manageable, bite-sized pieces.
- Toaster Oven or Cast Iron Skillet - For lightly toasting your sandwich buns to give them enough texture to hold up against all the meaty, veggie goodness.
Ingredients
Honeyyyy, do I love repurposing leftovers! Once the meat is cooked, everything is smooth sailing. Better yet, you only need a few extra items to make the best dang leftover brisket sandwich recipe you’ve ever tasted. I’ll call that a mid-week win, if there ever was one!
Barbecue Brisket Sandwiches
If you’re anything like us, you keep most of what you need for these leftover brisket sandwiches on hand all summer long.
- Leftover Smoked Brisket - You can’t have a BBQ brisket sandwich without brisket. If you want the best, juiciest Texas-style brisket you've ever eaten, try my husband's smoked brisket recipe. It's solid gold.
- BBQ Sauce - Use your favorite barbecue sauce!
- Sandwich Pickles - I love Grillo’s, but any sliced pickles will do. Quickly change the flavors by using sweet bread and butter pickles or tangy dill pickles.
- Burger Buns - Plain buns, sesame buns, brioche buns, everything — the choice is yours!
- Coleslaw - For added sweet creaminess and crunch! Recipe below.
Perfect Barbecue Sandwich Coleslaw
This colorful cruciferous coleslaw adds tons of flavor, crunch, and sweet-n-savory goodness to these barbecue brisket sandwiches, and takes just minutes to assemble. Better yet, it saves well in the fridge and pairs beautifully with all your favorite smoked and grilled meats.
- Tri-Colored Broccoli Slaw Mix - Broccoli is an underrated slaw addition. If you can't find this particular mix at your local grocery store, no need to fret — you can always use regular coleslaw mix or even shred up some fresh broccoli and carrots yourself.
- Red Cabbage - For adding a nice crunch and a pop of color to your slaw. If you can't find red cabbage, you could use regular green cabbage!
- Mayonnaise - Of course, no good slaw is complete without some creamy dressing to hold it all together! Use your favorite high-quality store-bought brand like Duke’s. If you don't have mayo, you can use plain Greek yogurt or sour cream instead for a slightly tangier take.
- Apple Cider Vinegar - This adds a nice acidity to your slaw and helps to balance out the sweetness. If you don't have apple cider vinegar, you could use rice vinegar, white wine vinegar, plain white vinegar, or even lemon juice.
- Kosher Salt - Seasoning is life, y’all. I love the wide flakes of kosher salt because it’s easier to season without over-salting, but you do you.
- Granulated Sugar - Adding a touch of sugar balances out all the other flavors. Feel free to swap in brown sugar, agave nectar, honey, or maple syrup to taste. You can also opt for a sugar-free substitute like stevia or monkfruit.
How To Make Leftover Smoked Brisket Sandwiches
These brisket sandwiches are so easy to make, you'll be amazed at the simple steps and how easy it is to whip up and every change up!
Step 1 | Mix the coleslaw in a large bowl. You can make this a day ahead. My advice? Taste and season as you go!
Step 2 | Mix together the hot brisket and bbq sauce. Make sure you have enough brisket per person: I like ¼-1/3 cup per sandwich.
Step 3 | Toast your buns! Butter them and toast over medium-high heat on a skillet or dry in a toaster oven.
Step 4 | Build your sandwich! I like to top with pickle slices, the chopped brisket (or brisket slices if that's how you roll!), the crunchy slaw, and top with a bun. Delish!
Variations & Substitutions
If you've got some leftover beef brisket and a hankerin' for a tasty BBQ sandwich, there are all sorts of fun ways to switch things up and make it your own. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- While burger buns are mighty tasty, you could always try using a different type of bread like texas toast or even a soft pretzel bun.
- Now, as for that leftover brisket, you could always give it a little extra je ne se quoi by adding in some diced onions or jalapenos. If you're feeling fancy, you could also top your sandwich with some crispy fried onion rings, fried jalapeños, or even some crumbled bacon.
- While sandwich pickles are a classic choice, you could always switch things up by using spicy pickles, fried pickle chips, or even pickled jalapenos. If you're not a fan of pickles, you could always swap 'em out for some sliced avocado or even some roasted red peppers.
- While I love this tasty coleslaw as is, you could always mix it up by adding in some diced apples or even some crumbled blue cheese.
- You can forgo the BBQ sauce and try tossing the brisket in herbaceous chimichurri or even mojo criollo!
- Add your favorite cheese and melt it down in a low oven! I suggest gouda cheese for some caramelly flavors, or a mild and nutty swiss cheese.
Pro-Tips
With these pro tips, you'll be well on your way to making a brisket BBQ sandwich that'll have folks lining up for seconds:
- To make sure your brisket is juicy and tender, you'll want to reheat it low and slow in a covered dish with a little bit of beef broth or BBQ sauce. This will help to keep the meat moist.
- To make it easier to eat and ensure that every bite is packed with flavor, try shredding your brisket with a fork or meat claws. This will also help to distribute the BBQ sauce more evenly throughout the meat.
- To add a little bit of extra crunch and flavor, you'll want to toast your buns before assembling your sandwich. You can do this by placing them on a hot griddle or in the oven for a few minutes.
- IMHO, a BBQ beef sandwich is always better with some coleslaw on top. You can use the Tri-Colored Broccoli Slaw Mix and dressing we talked about earlier or even make your own with cabbage, carrots, and your favorite dressing.
- While BBQ sauce is a classic choice, don't be afraid to experiment with different sauces and marinades. You could try a spicy chipotle sauce, make a sweet and savory one with peach preserve, or even a tangy Carolina-style vinegar sauce to mix things up.
Serving Suggestions for a Beef Brisket Sandwich
These smoky brisket sandwiches are so hearty, but no bbq sandwich is complete without something on the side!
You can go the traditional barbecue side route with potato salad, baked beans, and fluffy biscuits for a complete meal. Don't forget the crunchy potato chips!
A simple green salad also works. however, I'm never simple and this strawberry goat cheese salad has been a fave of mine all this year.
Try some picked Mexican red onions or fajita veggies instead of coleslaw, and serve with avocado pico de gallo and tortilla chips!
Make-Ahead, Storage, & Reheating
Make ahead: mix the brisket and sauce together and whip up the coleslaw a day ahead of time, then warm the bbq brisket in a saucepan over medium heat until heated through.
Store: store any leftover coleslaw and brisket in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat the brisket in a saucepan as above before building sandwiches and serving.
FAQs
Smoked brisket stays good in the fridge for up to 4 days!
You can't go wrong with the traditional barbecue sides: corn on the cob, mac and cheese, potato salad, fresh fruit, and grilled veggies.
More Yummy Sandwich Recipes
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Smoked Brisket Sandwiches
Ingredients
Brisket Sandwich
- 1 lb 16 ounces leftover smoked brisket, warmed through and chopped
- ¼ cup your favorite BBQ sauce
- 8 sandwich pickles, I love Grillos!
- 4 burger buns, lightly toasted
Creamy Crunchy Coleslaw
- 2 cups tri-colored broccoli slaw mix
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
Instructions
- Make the Coleslaw
- Mix together all the ingredients for the coleslaw in a medium sized mixing bowl. Set aside
- Make the Brisket Sandwiches
- In a separate medium sized mixing bowl, combine the brisket and the BBQ sauce until the brisket is thoroughly coated.
- Place the pickles onto the bottom bun, then add a healthy amount of the BBQ chopped brisket on top.
- Add as much coleslaw as you like to the top of the brisket and top with the bun.
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