Beef brisket is a cut of meat that can be tough if not cooked properly. To make it tender, the best cooking methods include grilling, smoking, or using a slow cooker. Brisket is often served by itself as an entree, but also makes a good sandwich filling. Pulled barbecue brisket sandwiches are very well known, but this meat can also be used in a variety of other sandwich recipes.
Brisket sandwiches are popular with many barbecue enthusiasts and often a staple dish of restaurants that specialize in grilled and smoked meats. A brisket is usually smoked for hours, until it is tender and can be shredded by hand or with a fork. Typically, barbecue sauce is then mixed with the shredded meat, which can be served on a sandwich roll or hamburger bun. Many people add sliced onion to this sandwich, or some place a layer of coleslaw between the meat and the bun.
This cut of meat can also be used to make French Dip sandwiches. For this dish, beef brisket is usually cooked for several hours in a slow-cooker with beef broth and onions. When the meat is tender, it is sliced and placed on a baguette. Some people like to add Swiss or provolone cheese to these brisket sandwiches. The cooking liquid is then used as a dip for the whole sandwich.
A Reuben sandwich can also be made with brisket. The beef should be sliced thinly for this type of sandwich. This deli favorite is made with the beef brisket, as well as Russian dressing, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut on rye bread. Reuben brisket sandwiches can be served warm, grilled, or cold.
Philly cheesesteak sandwiches are traditionally made with a combination of beef, onions, and cheese served on a hoagie roll. The sandwich is typically made with sliced steak, but brisket can be a good substitute. Melted processed cheddar cheese is often used in this dish, but some people prefer using a white cheese such as American, Swiss, or provolone.
Brisket sandwiches can be made in a variety of other ways as well, using many different ingredients. The meat makes a good sandwich filling, either sliced or shredded. Before cooking, a brisket can be rubbed with spices or marinated to give it different flavor profiles that make interesting sandwiches. A well-cooked brisket is very moist and tender, so regular sandwich bread is generally not recommended when making brisket sandwiches, because that bread will become soggy and fall apart.
Topping cooked brisket, bell peppers, and onions with marinara sauce can make an Italian-style sandwich. Use sliced brisket on a roll with tomato, lettuce, and horseradish sauce for a twist on a typical deli roast beef sandwich. Try brisket sandwiches both warm and cold, as the difference in temperature can change both the texture and the flavor profile of this meat.