Slow Cooker BBQ Brisket Sandwich Recipe

Juicy Slow Cooker BBQ Brisket Sandwich Recipe for Cozy Nights

Crafting the ultimate slow cooker bbq brisket sandwich requires patience and passion for mouthwatering comfort food.

Tender meat becomes your secret weapon in this delectable culinary adventure.

Regional barbecue traditions inspire every delicious bite of this hearty meal.

Southern-style cooking meets modern convenience through this simple yet robust recipe.

Juicy, fall-apart meat nestled between soft bread creates an irresistible combination.

Each layer promises rich, smoky flavors that dance across your palate.

Weekend gatherings or casual dinners transform into memorable experiences with this crowd-pleasing sandwich.

Dive into this recipe and savor every incredible, melt-in-your-mouth moment.

Ingredients Needed For BBQ Brisket Sandwich

Main Protein:
  • Beef Brisket: Rich, tender cut perfect for slow cooking, best when marbled with fat for juiciness, choose a high-quality cut from the point or flat section.
Sauce and Seasoning:
  • BBQ Sauce: Adds sweet, tangy flavor profile, can use store-bought or homemade, select a sauce with balanced smoky and sweet notes.
Bread and Serving Components:
  • Burger Buns, Pickles, Onions, Coleslaw: Soft buns provide base for sandwich, pickles offer sharp contrast, onions add crunch, coleslaw brings creamy texture and freshness, choose fresh, soft burger buns for best results.

BBQ Brisket Sandwich Slow Cooker Style

Step 1: Craft Flavorful Dry Rub

Combine the dry rub ingredients in a small bowl, creating a fragrant blend of spices.

Massage the mixture thoroughly into every nook and cranny of the brisket, ensuring complete and even coverage for maximum flavor infusion.

Step 2: Settle Brisket in Slow Cooker

Gently place the seasoned brisket into the slow cooker.

Pour BBQ sauce generously over the meat, allowing it to cascade and coat the entire surface.

The sauce will help tenderize and add rich, tangy flavor during the long cooking process.

Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover the slow cooker and set to low heat.

Let the brisket cook slowly for 8-10 hours, allowing the meat to become incredibly tender and absorb all the delicious barbecue flavors.

The low and slow method ensures melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Step 4: Shred and Sauce the Brisket

Once cooking is complete, use two forks to pull the brisket apart into succulent, juicy strands.

Mix the shredded meat with additional BBQ sauce, ensuring each piece is coated with that signature tangy sweetness.

Step 5: Assemble Mouthwatering Sandwiches

Toast the burger buns until they’re golden and crisp.

Layer the saucy shredded brisket onto the buns.

Top with crisp pickles, zesty onions, and creamy coleslaw.

Add an extra drizzle of BBQ sauce for those who love an intense flavor punch.

BBQ Brisket Sandwich – Cooking Tips

  • Select a well-marbled beef brisket for maximum flavor and tenderness.
  • Experiment with different spices like smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to personalize the flavor profile.
  • Add a splash of beef broth or beer to prevent the meat from drying out during slow cooking.
  • Start with less sauce and gradually add more to balance the meat's richness and avoid overwhelming sweetness.
  • Shred the brisket and store in the cooking liquid to keep it moist and reheat effortlessly for meal prep.

BBQ Brisket Sandwich From The Slow Cooker Stores Well

  • Store leftover brisket in an airtight container for up to 4 days, keeping the meat moist by adding a splash of BBQ sauce before sealing.
  • Wrap shredded brisket tightly in freezer-safe bags, removing excess air, and freeze for up to 3 months for later enjoyment.
  • Spread brisket in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm at 325°F for 15-20 minutes, adding a bit of broth to prevent drying out.
  • Reheat small portions in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval and adding a tablespoon of sauce to maintain tenderness.

Pair Up with Slow Cooker BBQ Brisket Sandwich

Complement Slow-Roasted BBQ Brisket Sandwich with:
  • Pair with Bold Red Wine: Select robust Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon to match the rich, smoky meat flavors and cut through the fatty brisket texture.
  • Serve Crisp Craft Beer: Choose hoppy IPA or amber ale to balance the sweet and tangy BBQ sauce, providing refreshing contrast to the hearty sandwich.
  • Add Zesty Side Salad: Prepare light cucumber and tomato salad with vinegar dressing to cleanse palate and introduce fresh, bright notes against the heavy protein.
  • Enhance with Crunchy Pickled Vegetables: Include homemade pickled carrots or jalapeños to add acidic punch and textural complexity alongside the tender brisket.

Ground Beef Enchiladas Spins

  • Gluten-Free Option: Replace burger buns with gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps. Use certified gluten-free BBQ sauce and ensure all dry rub ingredients are gluten-free.
  • Keto-Friendly Version: Swap burger buns for large lettuce leaves or low-carb cauliflower buns. Reduce BBQ sauce or use a sugar-free alternative to lower carbohydrate content.
  • Vegetarian Alternative: Substitute brisket with jackfruit or portobello mushrooms. Use the same dry rub and cooking method, adjusting cooking time for plant-based protein.
  • Spicy Southwest Variation: Add chipotle powder to dry rub and mix sriracha into BBQ sauce. Top sandwich with jalapeños and pepper jack cheese for extra heat.

FAQs

  • What is a dry rub and why is it important?

A dry rub is a mixture of spices and herbs that adds flavor and creates a delicious crust on the meat before cooking. It helps enhance the taste of the brisket and provides a deeper, more complex flavor profile.

  • Can I use a different cut of meat instead of brisket?

While brisket is traditional for BBQ sandwiches, you can substitute with chuck roast or beef shoulder. These cuts are similarly tough and become tender when slow-cooked, making them great alternatives.

  • How do I know when the brisket is perfectly cooked?

The brisket is done when it’s extremely tender and can be easily shredded with two forks. This typically occurs after 8-10 hours of slow cooking on low heat, when the meat is falling apart and has a rich, deep flavor.

  • Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Yes, this BBQ brisket sandwich recipe is excellent for meal prep. You can cook the brisket in advance, store it in the refrigerator, and reheat it when ready to serve. The flavors often improve after sitting for a day, making it a perfect make-ahead meal.

Slow Cooker BBQ Brisket Sandwich That’s Tender And Tangy

  • Quick Kitchen Magic: Minimal Effort Delivers Maximum Flavor. This slow cooker BBQ brisket sandwich recipe transforms tough meat into a mouthwatering meal with almost zero active cooking time.
  • Set-and-Forget Convenience: Toss ingredients into the slow cooker in the morning and return to perfectly tender, fall-apart brisket without hours of hands-on preparation.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Guaranteed to satisfy everyone from picky kids to hungry adults with its rich, smoky flavors and customizable sandwich assembly.
  • Meal Prep Champion: Produces generous portions perfect for feeding a large group, meal prepping, or enjoying delicious leftovers throughout the week without repeated cooking.
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Slow Cooker BBQ Brisket Sandwich Recipe

Slow Cooker BBQ Brisket Sandwich Recipe


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4.8 from 29 reviews

  • Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Slow cooker BBQ brisket sandwich delivers mouthwatering comfort straight from Texas kitchens. Tender, juicy meat nestled between pillowy bread promises pure culinary bliss you’ll savor with every hearty bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2.5 pounds beef brisket
  • 1.5 cups BBQ sauce

Bread:

  • 6 burger buns

Toppings:

  • Pickles
  • Onions
  • Coleslaw
  • Additional BBQ sauce

Instructions

  1. Blend the selected spices and herbs to create a robust, flavorful dry rub, ensuring even coating across the entire surface of the brisket.
  2. Carefully position the seasoned brisket inside the slow cooker, generously drizzling a rich barbecue sauce to enhance moisture and taste.
  3. Secure the slow cooker lid and allow the meat to gently simmer on low temperature, transforming the tough cut into a meltingly tender delicacy over 8-10 hours.
  4. Once cooking is complete, carefully extract the brisket and use two forks to delicately pull and shred the meat into succulent, tender strands.
  5. Toss the shredded brisket with additional barbecue sauce, ensuring each fiber is coated with a glossy, tangy glaze.
  6. Lightly toast the burger buns to create a crisp, golden exterior that will support the juicy meat.
  7. Assemble the sandwiches by layering the saucy brisket onto the toasted buns, then garnish with crisp pickles, thinly sliced onions, and a refreshing coleslaw for added texture and flavor complexity.
  8. Optionally drizzle extra barbecue sauce over the sandwich for those who desire an intensified flavor profile.

Notes

  • Choose a fatty cut of brisket for more tender and juicy results, which helps prevent drying out during long slow cooking.
  • Customize the dry rub by adjusting spice levels to suit personal taste preferences or dietary restrictions.
  • If watching sodium intake, opt for low-sodium BBQ sauce and reduce added salt in the dry rub mixture.
  • Prepare the brisket a day ahead and refrigerate overnight to enhance flavor development and make shredding easier.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 hours
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 15 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
Emily Harper

Emily Harper

Nutrition Consultant & Recipe Analyst

Expertise

Healthy Recipe Modification, Nutritional Analysis & Meal Planning, Global Cuisine & Dietary Adaptations​

Education

School: French Pastry School, Chicago, IL

Program: L’Art de la Pâtisserie

Focus: Intensive training in traditional French pastry techniques, baking theory, and confectionery arts. ​


Emily’s journey started in a pastry kitchen but took a detour into the world of health and flavor science.
Graduating from the French Pastry School and studying nutrition opened her eyes to a new mission: making healthy food taste like something you’d actually crave.
At Dining At Home, Emily’s the go-to for smart, feel-good recipes that don’t trade flavor for nutrition.
She’s all about adding a fresh spin on old favorites and finding small ways to make everyday meals a little brighter.
Outside of the kitchen, Emily is most at home walking forest trails, testing plant-based recipes, or sharing a picnic under a wide-open sky.

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