Chopped Beef Brisket Sandwich Recipe [So Beefy]

There’s no better way to use up leftover brisket than with Chopped Beef Brisket Sandwiches!

This recipe is perfect for those of you who have an extra pound or two of sliced brisket from the smokehouse, but it’s especially useful for those of you who enjoy smoking brisket at home!

WHAT ARE CHOPPED BEEF SANDWICHES?

Chopped beef sandwiches are a Texas food staple that can be found at every BBQ joint in the state, as well as fairs, rodeos, and even high school cafeterias and concession stands.

The beefy filling is made from Texas Smoked Brisket that has been roughly chopped and tossed in some BBQ sauce.

The filling is sandwiched between two hamburger buns, and it’s topped just like a BBQ. We welcome sliced onions, pickles, and/or pickled jalapenos!

THE HISTORY OF CHOPPED BEEF

According to a Texas Monthly interview with the owner of Mac’s Bar-B-Que in Dallas, Billy McDonald, that’s how BBQ was served in restaurants at the beginning of the Texas brisket craze — chopped.

The beef brisket was chopped and sauced before being topped with relish and onion and served with white bread on the side.

Restaurants didn’t start slicing brisket until the last few decades, according to McDonald.

However, my native Houstonian mother (now in her 70s) claims that sliced beef brisket has been on the menu for as long as she can remember.

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HOW TO MAKE CHOPPED BEEF SANDWICHES?

In reality, you don’t need much of a recipe to make Chopped Beef Sandwiches at home, though you will need leftover brisket.

CHOP THE BRISKET

• The first step will be to chop the beef. It’s best to warm the beef before chopping it to allow some of the fat to melt away. You’re less likely to “over-chop” it this way.

• Avoid using technology such as a food processor or stand mixer to chop beef for your Chopped Beef Brisket Sandwiches.

• It is far better to use a knife. This is due to the fact that you do not want the beef to be finely minced, but rather chopped.

• After you’ve chopped everything up, you should still be able to see hunks of beef in the mix, though they should be bite-sized bits. After you’ve chopped your beef, move on to the sauce.

TOSS IN BBQ SAUCE

In terms of the sauce, you can either make your own homemade BBQ sauce or use a store-bought sauce. Anything slightly sweet with a hint of spice will do.

Combine the beef and 1/4 cup of the sauce in a mixing bowl and toss to coat. Then you can start putting your sandwich together.

ASSEMBLE YOUR SANDWICH

Hamburger buns are traditional, but if you have an old Texas soul, thick slices of white bread will suffice.

Prepare the onions, pickles, and possibly some pickled jalapenos for some extra heat, and dig in!

SLOW COOKER BBQ BEEF BRISKET STARTS WITH A RUB

Brisket can be marinated for as little as 1 hour and as much as 24 hours ahead of time.

I find that marinating enhances the flavor, so I leave it for as long as possible! The dry rub is made with simple ingredients. You will require:

• Seasonings: Smoked paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, dried parsley, ground cumin, ground coriander, oregano, chili powder, and cayenne pepper are all required. If you prefer not to have things spicy, leave out the cayenne!

• Brown sugar: Brown sugar adds flavor to the meat and caramelizes in the oven to form the ‘bark.’

• A tablespoon of oil is used to help combine the dry ingredients and help them adhere to the brisket.

• Vinegar: To add flavor to the rub, a small amount of apple cider vinegar is added.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH HOMEMADE BEEF BRISKET?

I have a slew of recipes that would go great with my homemade beef brisket.

I’d recommend smoky southern beans, homemade coleslaw, macaroni salad, and potato salad.

If you’re making a chopped brisket sandwich, pile the meat high on brioche buns with sweet sliced onions and pickled onions.

You should also dip or drizzle the sandwich in homemade bbq sauce, which adds so much flavor!

CAN YOU SHRED BBQ BEEF BRISKET?

Yes, you could shred brisket if you wanted to. Remove any remaining fat from the brisket and shred the beef with two forks. If you like, you can chop up the fat and add it back in.

If you want to make bbq brisket sandwiches, however, I recommend chopping the brisket into small pieces rather than shredding it! It’s much more convenient to eat a sandwich this way!

STORAGE

• Reheat: Place your desired portions in a sauté pan with 1/4 cup beef stock, cover with foil, and bake at 400° for 10 to 12 minutes. Reheating your steak will completely raise its internal temperature, most likely past medium and into medium-well.

• How to Store: Refrigerate this chopped steak in a plastic container or covered in plastic for up to 4 days. It can also be frozen, wrapped in plastic, for up to 60 days. Thaw in the refrigerator for 1 day before reheating.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COOK DICED BEEF?

To be fully cooked through, beef that has been cut into small, bite-sized cubes must be cooked for at least 2 minutes.

Move them around in the pan to brown all sides and ensure that the meat cooks evenly.

KITCHEN TIPS

• Size Matters: Spread out your food choices throughout the day so you can enjoy the flavor of this tangy beef sandwich.

• Make Ahead: The brown sugar mixture can be applied to the roast ahead of time. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours before grilling, then bake according to package directions.

• To toast the bread slices, remove the browned roast from the grill and place the bread slices on the grill grate. Grill the bread for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, or until it is evenly toasted on both sides. Alternatively, after the roast is done, toast the bread slices in the toaster or under the broiler.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Other recipes to try:

Chopped Beef Sandwiches with Spicy BBQ Sauce

Chopped Beef Sandwich

3-Ingredient Chopped Beef