Slow-Smoked BBQ Brisket Sandwich with Slaw
Sink your teeth into this Slow-Smoked BBQ Brisket Sandwich with Slaw, loaded with tender smoky brisket, tangy barbecue sauce, and crunchy homemade slaw on a soft toasted bun! This hearty BBQ sandwich recipe is perfect for summer cookouts, game day parties, family dinners, and comfort food cravings.
Ingredients
- For the Brisket:
- 1 whole beef brisket (8–10 lbs)
- 3 tbsp kosher salt
- 3 tbsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- For the Slaw:
- 4 cups shredded green cabbage
- 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp honey (optional for sweetness)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- For Assembly:
- 8–10 sandwich buns (brioche or potato buns preferred)
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (smoky, spicy, or sweet—your choice)
- Pickles (optional, for extra crunch)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Brisket: Trim excess fat from the brisket, leaving about 1/4-inch fat cap for flavor. Mix all the dry spices together to form a rub. Rub the brisket generously with the spice blend on all sides.
- Step 2: Smoke the Brisket: Preheat your smoker to 225°F (107°C). Use wood chips like oak, hickory, or mesquite for rich flavor. Place the brisket fat side up on the smoker. Smoke for 6–8 hours, spritzing occasionally with apple juice or apple cider vinegar to keep it moist. When the internal temp reaches 165°F (74°C), wrap brisket tightly in butcher paper or foil (the “Texas Crutch”) to prevent drying. Continue smoking until brisket reaches 195–203°F (90–95°C) and feels tender when probed.
- Step 3: Rest the Brisket: Remove brisket from smoker and let it rest, wrapped, for at least 1 hour. Slice brisket against the grain into thin slices for sandwiches.
- Step 4: Make the Slaw: In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. Add shredded cabbage and carrots, toss to coat evenly. Chill until ready to serve.
- Step 5: Assemble the Sandwiches: Lightly toast buns for extra flavor and sturdiness. Layer slices of brisket onto the bottom bun. Top with BBQ sauce, a generous heap of slaw, and pickles if using. Place the top bun and serve immediately.