Recipes ยป Leftover BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwich

Leftover BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwich

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our Disclosure Policy.

This BBQ Brisket Sandwich recipe features a sweet and spicy homemade barbecue sauce. It is topped with a crunchy and creamy fennel coleslaw. It’s a complete meal between two pieces of bread.

A side view of a briskit sandwich topped with barbaque sauce and claw.

One of my favorite ways to enjoy leftover brisket is in a delicious Brisket Sandwich. When I made our oven-baked brisket recipe, I made sure to have lots of leftovers. I wanted to enjoy the Leftover BBQ Brisket Sandwich.

Inspired by our Corned Beef Sandwich, I wanted a sandwich that had tons of flavor and textures. This brisket sandwich recipe has it all.

Why you’ll love leftover beef brisket sandwiches

  • Leftovers. Using leftover brisket guarantees a delicious dinner in a jiffy that the whole family will love.
  • Variety. Everyone can make their own brisket sandwich. Set out your toppings and let everyone help themselves. You can easily double or triple this recipe to feed a crowd.
  • Tough brisket. Maybe your brisket got dry or came out tougher than you like? This thick and delicious BBQ sauce will revive your sliced brisket to gourmet status.
  • Slow cooker. This recipe is versatile. I cooked it on top of the stove but you could put it in your slow cooker for an amazing dinner when you’re ready.
Side shot of a barbecue sandwich topped with cabbage slaw sitting on a cutting board.

Brisket Sandwich Ingredients

Brisket Sandwich Ingredients

Leftover Beef Brisket – We thinly sliced our leftover brisket.

Bread buns or rolls – I’ll be sharing my recommendations with you.

Homemade BBQ Sauce Ingredients

There are more barbeque-type sauces than I can name. This barbeque sauce is thick, sweet, and a little spicy. You can amp up the heat or dial it down.

You can use as much or as little sauce on your BBQ brisket sandwich. I like a lot and John just a bit.

Ketchup. Use a brand of ketchup that you would eat with other foods.

Apple cider vinegar. Adds brightness and cuts the tomato sweetness of the ketchup.

Brown sugar. The molasses flavor is what makes this sauce taste like BBQ.

Worcestershire sauce. This is a savory element.

Paprika. If you like a smokey BBQ sauce use smoked paprika.

Mustard powder. Regardless of the flavor of BBQ sauce that you like, this spice is a must.

Chili powder. We like a sweet and spicy contrast. You can make your BBQ sauce as spicy as you like.

Other spices. Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. You can use these spices as recommended or eliminate some of them. I’d definitely recommend tasting the sauce for needed salt.

Fennel Slaw Ingredients

A top-down view shows the ingredients for fennel slaw. These include fennel, cabbage, onion, sour cream, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper.

This is the best slaw for brisket sandwiches. It adds a creamy crunchy element to our sandwich. It’s not overly sweet since the barbecue sauce provides that element and is optional but recommended. You’ll love how easy it is to make and perfect on this brisket sandwich.

How to make this Brisket Sandwich Recipe

Best coleslaw for brisket sandwiches

Start by making the slaw and refrigerating it until needed. That way it’s cool and crunchy and the flavors have had a chance to blend together.

Grate the cabbage and chop the onion and fennel. Add it to a large bowl.

In a separate bowl, combine the sour cream, honey, cardamom, mustard powder, salt, and pepper.

Pour the sauce over the cabbage-fennel mixture and stir to combine. Refrigerate until needed.

BBQ sauce

In a small bowl, whisk the spices together.

Add all of the barbecue ingredients to a small saucepan, including the spices. Cook over low heat until the vinegar smell dissipates, about 5 minutes. Allow the BBQ sauce to cool.

Assemble

Line bread with sliced brisket. Slather the brisket with bbq sauce. Top with slaw and serve.

Reheat and Store

Brisket coleslaw, barbecue sauce, and sliced beef brisket should be stored in separate covered containers. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Assemble the sandwiches just before serving.

Can I Freeze BBQ Brisket Sandwiches?

Yes! The brisket freezes beautifully. We freeze sliced brisket in serving sizes for a quick dinner. Brisket can be frozen with or without the barbecue sauce added. I wouldn’t freeze the coleslaw.

Reheat

You can serve this sandwich cold. You can also heat the beef brisket with barbecue sauce. Use a microwave, a saucepan on the stove, or a slow cooker. Set it on low for 1 hour until heated through.

How to cut a fennel bulb?

  1. Remove the fronds from the bulb. The whispy fronds can be chopped and added to your recipe to they make a beautiful garnish.
  2. Cut the bulb vertically.
  3. Make a V-cut to remove the root.
  4. Slice the bulb vertically.
  5. Turn the bulb and thinly chop the bulb.

What is the best bread?

I suggest bread that balances well with the ingredients. It should soak up the tasty sauce and beef brisket juices without getting soggy such as Brioche Buns or Medianoche Bread Rolls.

FAQ’s

How much BBQ Brisket per person for sandwiches?

It depends on the bread you are using. Allow about 5 ounces or 3 to 4 slices per sandwich.

Tips for the perfect Leftover Brisket Sandwich Recipe

  • If your brisket is dry or tough, cover it with barbecue sauce. Then, cook it slowly on the stovetop or in a slow cooker.
  • Brisket doesn’t have to be sliced. You can also use shredded or chopped brisket.
  • Onion and fennel can also be shredded with the box grater instead of chopping.
  • Stir just enough sauce into the coleslaw to make it stick together. You don’t want it so wet that it will make your sandwich soggy.
  • You can double or triple the barbecue sauce and refrigerate it for other recipes.

What do you serve with brisket?

This sandwich just screens barbecue. We always serve our Apple Baked Beans and you can’t go wrong with Homemade Potato Chips. Of course, a large bowl of Cherry Fluff is a must!

A sideview of a bbq sandwich topped with slaw and slathered in bbq sauce.

More recipes with beef brisket leftovers

Brisket Tacos and Brisket Mac and Cheese are some of our favorites. Any recipe that uses chopped or sliced beef can be made with brisket leftovers.

I hope you enjoyed this delicious recipe as much as we do. Drop me a comment below, and don’t forget to give it a star rating. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Your comments and ratings help others decide if this recipe is for them too.

Side view of BBQ sandwich topped with barbecue sauce and coleslaw.

Brisket Sandwich

Author: Julie Menghini
BBQ Brisket Sandwich is sauced with homemade barbecue sauce and topped with a crunchy creamy fennel coleslaw. It's a complete meal between two pieces of bread.
5 from 9 votes

Ingredients
 
 

  • thinly sliced brisket
  • bread buns

Fennel Slaw

  • 3 cups shredded cabbage
  • 1/2 cup fennel , thinly diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion , finely chopped or shredded
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1/2 tsp mustard powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground cardamom

BBQ Sauce

  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar – I use dark but light is fine
  • 2 tbsp molasses
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp dried mustard powder
  • 2 tsp ground paprika – smoked or variety of your choice
  • tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper

Instructions
 

Fennel Slaw

  • Thinly grate the cabbage, fennel, and red onion.
  • Combine sour cream, honey, salt, mustard powder, and cardamom in a small bowl and stir to combine.
  • Add enough of the sour cream mixture to the cabbage mixture to coat. Refrigerate until needed.

Barbecue Sauce

  • Add the spices to a small bowl and whisk together.
  • Add the ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, and spices to a small saucepan. Stir the ingredients together and simmer for 5 minutes or until the smell of vinegar disappears. Allow the sauce to cool and serve.

Assemble

  • Stack sliced brisket on a bun or roll. Slather barbecue sauce oo the brisket. Top with the fennel slaw. Serve immediately.

Notes

The BBQ sauce makes 1 cup. Store unused sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
The slaw makes several servings depending on how much is used for each sandwich. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator.

Nutritional Disclaimer

This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.

Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

Did you enjoy this recipe? Don’t forget to pin it for later and follow me on Pinterest for more delicious recipes like this one!

Image for Pinterest of a BBQ Brisket nesstled in a soft brioche bun.

Similar Posts

5 from 9 votes

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




17 Comments

  1. Always looking for a good sandwich! Loved this one with our leftover brisket from having guests last weekend. And I’m always a sucker for slaw!

  2. I was going to use bagged coleslaw, but the fennel caught my eye, thanks for the great tips and pics for how to slice it! The sandwich was amazing, your recipe for brisket is amazing!

  3. My husband had some leftover brisket from a restaurant we went to. So, I made this sando for him. He loved it! I got some great brownie points today!