Transform your leftover brisket into something truly extraordinary with these irresistible BBQ Brisket Melts! Imagine tender, smoky brisket tossed in tangy BBQ sauce, layered with gooey melted cheddar cheese and zesty pickles, all grilled to golden perfection between slices of buttery bread. It’s a delicious, comforting, and incredibly satisfying sandwich that comes together quickly, making it ideal for a hearty lunch, a fuss-free dinner, or a game-day treat.
Why I Love This Recipe
These BBQ Brisket Melts are a true revelation for anyone with leftover brisket, and honestly, even if you buy pre-cooked brisket, they’re worth making! What I love most is how effortlessly they combine the rich, smoky flavors of brisket and BBQ sauce with the simple comfort of a grilled cheese. The buttery, toasted bread creates that perfect crispy exterior, while the inside is pure magic: tender, saucy brisket mingling with perfectly melted cheddar cheese and the bright, tangy pop of pickles. It’s a symphony of textures and tastes that’s deeply satisfying and always hits the spot. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to give new life to leftovers, making a meal that feels both gourmet and incredibly approachable.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create these delicious BBQ Brisket Melts:
- 1 pound cooked brisket, shredded (leftover is perfect!)
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
- 8 slices of bread (your choice, sourdough, Texas toast, or a good white bread work well)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (sharp or mild)
- 1/2 cup sliced pickles (dill or bread and butter, optional)
- Butter for grilling (about 2-3 tablespoons, softened)
Swaps and Notes
- Cooked Brisket: Leftover smoked or roasted brisket works perfectly. If you don’t have leftovers, many delis or grocery stores sell pre-cooked shredded beef that can be substituted. Pulled pork is also a fantastic alternative.
- BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite style of BBQ sauce – smoky, tangy, sweet, or spicy. Adjust the amount to your preference.
- Bread: Sturdy bread that can stand up to grilling is best. Sourdough, Texas toast, white sandwich bread, or even a thicker-cut challah would be great.
- Cheese: Cheddar cheese offers classic flavor and melts beautifully. Other good melting cheeses include Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or even smoked gouda for extra flavor.
- Pickles: Sliced dill pickles provide a necessary tangy counterpoint to the rich brisket. Bread and butter pickles offer a sweeter tang. Omit if you’re not a pickle fan.
- Butter for Grilling: Use softened butter or margarine for spreading on the bread. This helps create that perfect golden-brown, crispy crust.
Instructions
Let’s get these delicious BBQ Brisket Melts grilled!
- Prepare Brisket Filling: In a medium skillet, combine the 1 pound shredded cooked brisket and 1 cup BBQ sauce. Place over medium heat and stir occasionally until the brisket mixture is warmed through and thoroughly coated in the sauce, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Butter the Bread: Butter one side of each of the 8 slices of bread evenly.
- Assemble Sandwiches: On the unbuttered side of four of the bread slices, layer a generous amount of the warmed brisket mixture. Evenly top the brisket with about 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese per sandwich (totaling 2 cups for 4 sandwiches). If desired, scatter some of the 1/2 cup sliced pickles over the cheese.
- Close Sandwiches: Place the other four slices of bread on top, with the buttered side facing outwards.
- Grill Melts: Heat a large skillet (cast iron or non-stick works great) over medium heat. Once hot, carefully place the assembled sandwiches into the skillet. Grill each sandwich for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese inside is fully melted and gooey. You can gently press down on the sandwiches with a spatula as they grill to help with browning and melting. Cook in batches if your skillet isn’t large enough for all four at once.
- Serve: Carefully remove the grilled melts from the skillet. Slice each sandwich in half diagonally (or straight down the middle) and serve warm.
Tips for Success
- Warm Brisket First: Heating the brisket and BBQ sauce together ensures the filling is warm, which helps the cheese melt faster and more evenly.
- Butter Generously: A good layer of butter on the outside of the bread is key for that perfectly golden, crispy crust.
- Medium Heat is Key: Grilling over medium heat allows the bread to brown gradually while the cheese melts thoroughly. Too high, and the bread burns before the cheese melts.
- Press Gently: Lightly pressing on the sandwiches with a spatula helps ensure good contact with the pan and promotes even browning and melting.
- Don’t Overfill: While tempting to load them up, too much filling can make the sandwiches hard to handle and may cause ingredients to squeeze out during grilling.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
These BBQ Brisket Melts are incredibly hearty and satisfying on their own, but they pair wonderfully with:
- Potato Chips: A classic crunchy side for any grilled sandwich.
- Coleslaw: A fresh, tangy coleslaw provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the brisket.
- French Fries: For a complete diner-style meal.
- Baked Beans: A perfect complement to the BBQ flavors.
- For other impressive and easy-to-make appetizers for entertaining, consider our This Crockpot Nacho Dip Is The Reason I Never Have Leftovers or our How I Turned a Classic Sandwich into the Ultimate Cheesy Hot Dip.
Storage and Leftover Tips
BBQ Brisket Melts are truly best enjoyed fresh and warm for optimal crispness and gooey cheese.
- Refrigeration (Filling): You can prepare the brisket and BBQ sauce mixture ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Assemble and grill fresh when ready to eat.
- Cooked Melts: Assembled and grilled melts are best eaten immediately. If you have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day, but the bread will lose its crispness.
- Reheating Cooked Melts: For best results, reheat a cooked melt in a toaster oven or oven at 300-350°F (150-175°C) until warmed through and the cheese is re-melted. Microwaving is not recommended as it will make the bread soggy.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you loved the cheesy, comforting, and easy nature of these melts, you’ll definitely want to explore some of our other fantastic, fuss-free recipes that are perfect for weeknights, lunches, or casual gatherings:
- For another easy cheesy sandwich idea, check out our Easy Cheesy Chicken Sliders with Marinara Garlic Butter.
- If you’re feeding a crowd and need a quick, savory option, our These Sheet Pan Quesadillas Are My Favorite Way to Feed a Crowd Fast are incredibly efficient.
- And for a fun, interactive way to serve a gathering, you can’t beat This Walking Taco Bar Is My Favorite No-Fuss Way to Feed a Crowd.
Final Thoughts
These BBQ Brisket Melts are a brilliant combination of smoky flavor, cheesy goodness, and effortless preparation. They’re perfect for transforming leftovers into a whole new, irresistible meal that’s sure to be a hit with everyone.
Give this recipe a try and let these delicious melts become a new favorite! What’s your go-to way to use up leftover BBQ meats? Share your ideas and feedback in the comments below! And for more amazing, easy-to-follow recipes that bring joy to your kitchen, be sure to visit Chefmaniac.com. Happy cooking!
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