15+ Delicious Leftover Brisket Recipes (2024)

Ever wondered what to do with leftover brisket? Don't let that succulent meat go to waste and instead refrigerate or freeze it to use up in one of these delicious brisket recipes. PS. We have provided a basic Instant Pot brisket recipe and other cooking methods below!

15+ Delicious Leftover Brisket Recipes (1)

For us Instant Pot users, brisket is a cut that is cooked beautifully in the pressure cooker. We often make a big batch and sometimes are faced with a few leftovers. While having the same brisket meal might not excite you the day after, creating something completely new might just be the ticket.
Before we begin, here is a recap of a few ways you can make brisket in the first place.

FIVE WAYS TO COOK BRISKET

INSTANT POT: Pre-heat the 6 qt IP using Sauté setting. When the Instant Pot is hot, add the oil. Place the brisket in the IP. After the meat sears on one side, flip it over and repeat. Remove the brisket then sauté the onions and add any remaining ingredients, make sure you add at least 1 cup of liquid. Return the meat to the IP, submerging it in liquid. Lock the lid and set to cook on high pressure for 1 hour and 15 minutes with a natural release (takes about another 30 minutes).

Remove brisket and save the juices to make a sauce. Slice brisket against the grain or shred with two forks. Pour sauce over brisket. You can use this as a template and add your own rub seasoning and sauce.

Check out these Instant Pot brisket recipes from:

SLOW COOKER:Rub your spice mixture all over the top of the brisket.Pour 1 cup water into the bottom of slow cooker then place the spice-covered brisket over water. Pour the liquid smoke and Worcestershire sauce over top of the brisket. Cover with lid and cook on Low heat for 12 hours.Remove brisket to a large platter to shred. Then return the brisket back to theslow cooker and pour your choice of barbecue sauce all over the top and stir. Cover with lid and cook another 30 minutes then serve. Full recipe fromLife In The Lofthouse.

OVEN:Preheat oven to 300°, create your seasoning and rub on brisket then place the brisket, fat cap up in roasting pan with aluminum foil covering loosely. Bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes per pound, until the brisket reaches about 180°. (etc. 4.5 lb brisket takes approximately 5 ½ hours.)Open up the foil and place it back in the oven for another 45 minutes to an hour. Full recipe from Will Cook For Smiles.

BBQ: Grilling and Smoking brisket is the most popular method. First, create your seasoning mixture and rub it on the brisket. To get s smokey flavor without a smoker, pour wood chips in a foil pan and add enough water to cover the chips. Cover with foil and cut slits in the foil to allow smoke to escape.Light your grill. Turn the burners on one-half of the grill off. Keep the burners on the other half set to LOW heat. Place the brisket directly on the lit side of the grill, fatty side up, and grill for about 5 minutes. Turn the brisket over and grill for 5 minutes more. Next, place the brisket into a clean foil pan and move it to the unlit side of the grill. Place the covered foil pan with the wood chips in it on the lit side of the grill and close the grill. Allow the brisket to cook for approximately 3 hours. You want your grill temperature to remain at about 300 degrees. Full recipe from Foodtastic Mom.

STOVETOP: Sear the brisket at high heat on all sides in a very large pan to lock in the flavor, moisture, and color. Then saute veggies and seasoning with the brisket followed by adding broth to simmer at a braising temperature of 185°. Reduce until the brisket falls apart. Check out this Youtube video of how to makeStovetop Brisket With Beer & Tomato Sauce: Cooking With Beer

15+ LEFTOVER BRISKET RECIPES

So, you've cooked up a bunch of delicious brisket? If your family hasn't devoured the whole lot, get inspired with our collection of leftover brisket ideas below.

INSTANT POT BRUNSWICK STEW

This stew is a Southern dish made with beans, vegetables, and meat cooked in a tomato base. The stew is usually finished with barbecue sauce and has a touch of cayenne pepper or chili to give it a rich flavor and sweetness. It’s a great recipe for using up leftover meat and vegetables, as well as some ingredients in your pantry. Recipe from Instant Pot Eats.

Brisket Baked Beans

15+ Delicious Leftover Brisket Recipes (3)

Baked beans are inextricably woven into the fabric of American barbecue and they’re about to get a lot better. With brisket. Lots of brisket. This is a great place to use up all those burnt ends and brisket trimmings. Sweet, salty, smoky, and, above all, meaty, these are everything you hunger for in baked beans—and more. Recipe from Barbecue Bible.

Also, try this recipe:

Brisket Grilled Cheese

15+ Delicious Leftover Brisket Recipes (4)

A buttery, crispy grilled cheese sandwich with gooey melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese and pieces of tender slow-cooked brisket, this is a delicious, drool-worthy sandwich. It’s a stick-to-your-ribs kind of lunch. Recipe from Spicy Southern Kitchen.

Also, try this recipe:

Brisket Loaded Fries

15+ Delicious Leftover Brisket Recipes (5)

A favorite go-to meal or game-day snack.These brisket-loaded fries are piled high and are perfect for feeding a hungry crowd.Recipe from Cowboy's Life Blog.

Also, try this recipe:

VIETNAMESE INSTANT POT BEEF BRISKET TACOS

This meat is tender and slightly spicy, bursting with umami flavor. Shredded slaw, jalapeños, cilantro, and zingy lime make for the perfect crunchy toppings, bringing together that awesome Vietnamese street food vibe right to your dinner table. This scrumptious Vietnamese-inspired Instant Pot beef tacos recipe comes from Laurel Randolph’s cookbook, The Instant Pot No-Pressure Cookbook. Get the recipe fromInstant Pot Eats.

Leftover Smoked Brisket Taquitos

15+ Delicious Leftover Brisket Recipes (7)

Making the brisket taquitos is pretty simple, but the most work goes into the prep. Prepping all the ingredients is important because when you are in the thick of making everything, you don’t want to need something and it hasn’t been chopped or heated! Recipe from System Of A Brown.

Also, try this recipe:

TAMALE (LEFTOVER BRISKET) PIE

15+ Delicious Leftover Brisket Recipes (8)

Ever heard of a tamale pie or a cornbread pie? A cornbread crust is cooked on top of tamale fillings creating a pie.Comfort food using leftover brisket is a huge bonus that is balanced with the fresh sweet cornbread.Recipe from Smella Que.

Texas Brisket Queso

15+ Delicious Leftover Brisket Recipes (9)

The queso is a real, authentic, Tex Mex queso made with American cheese, so it’s Velveeta free. It is so easy to whip up a batch of real queso on your own with yourleftover brisket after a barbecue. Recipe from Urban Cowgirl Life.

BBQ Brisket Nachos

15+ Delicious Leftover Brisket Recipes (10)

Crunchy tortilla chips covered with shredded beef brisket and cheese plus all kinds of toppings. These nachos are totally customizable so that the whole family will enjoy them. Recipe from Spicy Southern Kitchen.

BEEF EMPANADAS (WITH LEFTOVER BRISKET)

15+ Delicious Leftover Brisket Recipes (11)

Tender smoked beef brisket, mixed with some savory vegetables, herbs, and just a hint of spice, sandwiched in puff pastry, and baked into the most flavorful Beef Empanadas! Recipe from Vindulge.

Leftover Brisket Pasta

15+ Delicious Leftover Brisket Recipes (12)

Sometimes tossing together what is seemingly random ingredients turns into one of the best-loved pasta recipes you will ever have. You just need some mushrooms, kale, onion, lemon, some Parmesan, and brisket.Recipe from Nosh With Tash.

Also, try this recipe:

LEFTOVER BBQ BRISKET PIZZA

15+ Delicious Leftover Brisket Recipes (13)

Kick your pizza night up a notch with BBQ sauce, gooey jack cheese, some fresh veggies, and leftover BRISKET. Recipe from Our Tasty Adventure.

Leftover Brisket Fried Rice

15+ Delicious Leftover Brisket Recipes (14)

Avoid brisket burnout with this fried rice recipe. Veggies and spicy green hot sauce adds some freshness and bring the smoky, meaty brisket back to life. Recipe from With The Woodruffs.

Smoked Brisket Shepherd’s Pie with Jalapeno Cheddar Mashed Potatoes

15+ Delicious Leftover Brisket Recipes (15)

Take the best part of your BBQ get-together and continue to enjoy it a little longer with this shepherd's pie with a twist. Recipe from Country Cleaver.

CHOPPED SALAD WITH BRISKET LEFTOVERS

15+ Delicious Leftover Brisket Recipes (16)

This is a great appetizer or side to repurpose your leftovers. You can make this salad with any veg, but it is best to use a hearty leaf like kale or Romaine that can be chopped up with another crunchy veg before being topped with meat. Recipe from Jamie Geller.

Also, try this recipe:

Leftover Brisket Breakfast Skillet

15+ Delicious Leftover Brisket Recipes (17)

You can have brisket for BREAKFAST, lunch, and dinner. Do you have plans to go camping? Bring your leftover brisket with you and have a gourmet meal over a fire with this breakfast skillet.Brisket goes perfect with potatoes and a runny sunny-side-up egg. Recipe from Over The Fire Cooking.

Also, try this recipe:

SAVE Instant Pot Brisket Recipes TO PINTEREST

15+ Delicious Leftover Brisket Recipes (18)

15+ Delicious Leftover Brisket Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to moist brisket? ›

Texas Crutch Method: The Texas crutch method involves wrapping the brisket tightly in foil or butcher paper during the cooking process. This helps retain moisture and speeds up the cooking time, resulting in a tender and flavorful brisket.

How to make leftover brisket tender? ›

If your leftover brisket seems a bit dry, never fear. It can still be revived and no one will be the wiser. To moisten the meat, give it a marinade in some warm beef broth, and make sure to add broth when reheating. Another option is to use the meat in dishes where it can soak up a rich sauce.

How to make a tough brisket tender? ›

  1. Prepare your brisket with your dry rub.
  2. put the brisket plastic wrap and then put in the bath, set at 125 F.
  3. let it cook for 24–30 hours (the longer the more tender, but not more than this as the meat will become meat mush instead)
  4. at the end of the cooking, have a hot pan ready. ...
  5. Cut and enjoy the meat.
Feb 14, 2023

How to make brisket extra juicy? ›

How Do You Keep a Brisket Moist While Smoking It?
  1. Get the Right Cut. It always starts with the cut. ...
  2. Get Your Setup Right. If you're using a smoker or grill, you'll want to get your layout right. ...
  3. Use Aluminum. ...
  4. Place It Fat-Side Up. ...
  5. Try Adding Bacon. ...
  6. Add the Right Spices. ...
  7. Use the Right Temperature. ...
  8. Add Moisture.
Jul 26, 2021

What is the best liquid to keep brisket moist? ›

7 Options of Liquids to Use for Spritzing Brisket:
  • Apple Cider Vinegar. This is one of the most commonly used liquids for a brisket spritz, especially for Carolina-style barbecue. ...
  • Apple Juice. Apple juice is another popular spritz option. ...
  • Beer. ...
  • Beef Broth. ...
  • Melted Butter. ...
  • Worcestershire Sauce. ...
  • Plain Water.
Oct 12, 2022

What makes a brisket more tender? ›

Choose a cut with plenty of fat; the more fat there is, the more tender the end result will be. For special occasions when you are cooking brisket, fat is key.

Why is my brisket tough in a slow cooker? ›

Brisket is a cut of beef that really needs a long, slow cook to break down all the connective tissue. Otherwise, it'll be tough and chewy. After several hours in a slow cooker, you'll be rewarded with a deliciously tender and succulent meat that pulls apart.

How do you keep a slow cooked brisket moist? ›

To keep brisket moist in a slow cooker, sear before cooking to trap in the juices, add liquid (broth, BBQ sauce), cook on low heat, and avoid lifting the lid frequently to retain moisture.

Does apple cider vinegar tenderize brisket? ›

Pour apple cider vinegar over the brisket. The vinegar will help tenderize the meat and will add sweetness to it. Proper brisket should be cooked low and slow in a smoker, using wood or charcoal.

Why is my brisket still tough after 12 hours? ›

Brisket contains a lot of connective tissue, which can make it tough. The type of connective tissue in brisket is called collagen. Cook the meat quickly and you get tough, dry meat. Cook a brisket slowly, with some liquid, and the collagen turns into gelatin.

Can you cook brisket twice? ›

Purchase a whole fresh beef brisket (not corned) or 2 center-cut pieces. Oven-braise the brisket up to 2 days ahead; chill meat and pan juices separately. To serve, slice meat and reheat in sauce.

How do you moisten leftover brisket? ›

As we mentioned, to keep your brisket moist, you can also splash a little beef broth, cooking liquid, or water on it before you put it in the oven, and you can drizzle on some gravy or barbecue sauce once it's heated to liven it up again.

At what temperature does brisket fall apart? ›

The collagen has broken down, and the meat is no longer tough. 205°F (96°C): Many pitmasters aim for this precise temperature as it often results in a beautifully tender and succulent brisket.

What is the best cooking method for brisket? ›

All brisket, no matter which cut you choose, is a tough cut of meat that needs to be cooked low and slow: think oven, slow cooker or indirect heat on a grill.

How do you cook a brisket without drying it out? ›

Roast low and slow.

In the oven, that kind of time and temperature would dry the meat out, so use a slightly higher temperature of 300°F and keep the brisket covered in foil for the first six hours or until the brisket is 180°F in the thickest part.

How do you make a brisket flat moist? ›

Before you inject and smoke the brisket, trim the meat down a bit to help infuse it with moisture and extra flavor. Trim the top fat cap down to a 1/4 inch thick. Remove the tail on the end of the meat if any of the point has been left. Remove excess fat from the underside of the brisket.

How do you add moisture to smoked brisket? ›

Spritzing – Many pit-masters keep a spray bottle filled with stock, apple juice or spray butter handy, spritzing the meat when the surface starts to dry. Be sure to use only a food-safe spray bottle.

References

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