The 9 Best Leftover Brisket Recipes

Jump to Recipe

Sharing is caring!

We’ve got you covered on 9 the best leftover brisket recipes! From brisket nachos to brisket empanadas, we’ve tried it all and compiled this list of all the ways you can used brisket in a new and fresh recipe. 

Whole Beef Brisket on the smoker

Okay okay, so before you make any jokes — “Who the heck ever has leftover brisket?” Or, one of my favorites, “If you have leftover brisket you must be doing it wrong.” Ha ha, get your laughs out — let’s talk about the truth of brisket.

The truth is, when you are practicing at your smoked brisket game, it’s likely you’re going to have leftovers. It happens. And no, it doesn’t mean that you did a bad job. A great brisket is RICH in flavor, and personally I can only enjoy a few pieces before I need to cut myself off. And let’s be honest, even the smallest briskets are pretty big, especially if you’re just feeding a small family.

We smoke our briskets, but no matter how you cook it — braised, baked, heck even Instant pot — all of these leftover brisket recipes would be great uses for that tender and delicious meat. But, of course, you just can’t beat a perfectly tender, juicy, smoky, smoked brisket! It’s one of the holy grails of BBQ.

But first, you need a good brisket recipe before you even yield any leftovers. Here are our two favorite:

We also have a great Merlot mopped brisket in our cookbook for more inspiration. You can also check out our article on the top tips for perfectly smoked brisket.

Storing Leftover Brisket

Leftover brisket will typically last up to 5 days in the refrigerator. If you don’t plan to eat it all it freezes really well for up to six months.

  • It’s best to use a vacuum sealing tool so you can remove the air and maximize space. We use the Foodsaver brand tool. It’s expensive but if you cook a lot it’s amazing for storage and even marinades.
  • If you don’t have a vacuum sealer plastic bags work as well.

Label the date and what’s in the bags with a good sharpie. Trust us when we say that over time you will forget what’s in it.

The Best Way to Reheat Brisket

If you aren’t using one of these leftover brisket ideas then the best way to reheat is in the oven unless it’s shredded.

Brisket Slices

The best way to reheat brisket slices is in the oven or shred it and reheat in a pan.

  1. Preheat the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Place a cookie drying rack on a sheet pan. Pour beef stock into the bottom of the pan. Place brisket slices on the cookie drying rack and cover in foil. Place in the oven and warm for 20 minutes. The beef stock will steam while the beef warms and keep it moist.

Brisket Burnt Ends

The best way to reheat brisket burnt ends is in the oven.

  1. Preheat the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Place the burnt ends in an oven safe dish. Be sure to include all the rendered fat too. Cover with aluminum foil.
  3. Bake for 20 minutes until the fat has rendered again and the burnt ends have warmed to at least 150 degrees F internal temperature.

Shredded Brisket

The best way to reheat shredded brisket is to sauté it in a sauce. This is perfect if you want to make a shredded beef sandwich.

  1. In a medium size pan over medium heat (we like cast iron) add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Place the shredded brisket in the pan.
  2. Stir for 8 minutes and then add your favorite sauce. We love our Kansas City BBQ sauce. Stir an additional 2 minutes and serve.

Related Article: Our favorite BBQ Sauces

Brisket Chili

Since I led off with that one it’s only fair to start with it. This is a multi-award-winning leftover brisket recipe for chili! We’ve even had readers email us to say they entered this chili in chili cook-offs and won first prize.

This chili is smoky, a touch spicy, rich, and jam packed with flavor. It’s actually quite controversial too.

4.53 from 218 votes

Smoked Brisket Chili Recipe (recipe and video)

Award-Winning Smoked Beef Brisket Chili. The perfect use for leftover brisket. You’re going to love this! 
View Recipe

Texas Chili

Modify this recipe that calls for chuck meat with leftover brisket. You will not be sad. But it is spicy!

texas chili in a bowl with toppings.
4.74 from 15 votes

Authentic Texas Chili Recipe – No Beans

Meat, beer, chile. The basics for this authentic and spicy Texas chili recipe.
View Recipe

Smoked Brisket Tacos

May seem obvious and easy, but there are few things in the world more satisfying than a good taco. And smoked brisket makes for the greatest tacos ever.

Brisket Tacos on a serving platter
4.60 from 10 votes

Smoked Beef Brisket Tacos

A simple and delicious brisket taco recipe for leftover smoked brisket.
View Recipe

Brisket Grilled Cheese Sandwich

These make me hungry just looking at them! Warmed up brisket mixed with melted cheddar cheese, on toasted sourdough. Add some smoked tomato bisque and I’m set for LIFE!

Two halve of Brisket Grilled Cheese Sandwich stacked on top of each other
4.15 from 7 votes

Brisket Grilled Cheese Sandwich

An incredible use for leftover smoked brisket — Brisket Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. Layered with leftover bbq brisket, melted cheese, and toasty bread. The perfect sandwich!
View Recipe

Brisket Enchiladas

Want to really go over the top with leftover brisket recipes? Make your whole neighborhood happy with a batch of these enchiladas. Meaty, cheesy, and covered in a rich red chili sauce. This is the ultimate comfort food.

a pan of smoked enchiladas
4.84 from 6 votes

Beef Enchiladas made with Smoked Brisket

Beef Brisket Enchiladas are the ultimate use for leftover brisket for any Mexican food lover! These beef enchiladas are made with smoked brisket, but you can sub almost any cut of beef for these indulgent enchiladas. 
View Recipe

Smoked Brisket Nachos

Some might credit this recipe for the start of our catering company, Ember & Vine. It was a story that garnered national attention and the grand prize in a BBQ recipe competition! It is LEGIT!

Brisket Nachos
4.67 from 6 votes

Smoked Beef Brisket Nachos

Brisket Nachos are the perfect use for leftover smoked beef brisket. Create a rich chili out of leftover brisket and use that chili to make indulgent, spicy, cheesy, nachos.
View Recipe

Smoked Brisket Bruschetta

Having friends over for a cookout and looking for a fun and different appetizer to serve? These are not only gorgeous, but probably the most flavorful bruschetta a BBQ lover could ask for. We even featured these on TV and the crew loved them.

Brisket Bruschetta Crostini on a platter.
4.75 from 8 votes

Brisket Bruschetta Recipe

A great use for leftover brisket. Brisket Bruschetta with a crema sauce drizzled over the top.
View Recipe

Smoked Brisket Empanadas

I’m pretty sure these are one of my favorite leftover brisket recipes. Take some help from the store and use a store-bought pastry dough for these treats I can only describe as pure brisket goodness. They’re filled with a combination of leftover brisket, some sweet bell peppers, jalapeño, BBQ sauce, and more, then wrapped in the pastry dough, baked to perfection and dipped in a Crème Fraîche BBQ Dipping Sauce. I could eat these for daaaaaayys.

Beef Empanadas with leftover brisket
5 from 5 votes

Beef Empanadas Recipe using Smoked Brisket

Beef Empanadas are an incredible use for leftover smoked brisket and great appetizer idea for the holidays. Combine brisket, sautéed vegetables, herbs and spices rolled in puffed pastry dough and served with a creamy crème fraîche BBQ dip.
View Recipe

Smoked Brisket Pizza

Use your own homemade dough or a store-bought to make the ultimate brisket pizza. This will make for the perfect Friday night! Throw in a bottle of wine and you’re set!

Smoked Brisket Pizza
5 from 2 votes

Smoked Beef Brisket Pizza Recipe

A perfect use for leftover smoked beef brisket. Smoked Brisket Pizza. A great treat for parties or a fun dinner.
View Recipe

If you share any of your pics on Instagram use the hashtag #vindulge. We LOVE to see it when you cook our recipes.

cookbook cover

Now on 2nd edition

Fire + Wine Cookbook


“This book is a one-stop guide for anyone truly interested in elevating their BBQ experience into a culinary work of art.”
5 out of 5 Stars
San Francisco Book Review

About Vindulge

Mary (a certified sommelier and recipe developer) and Sean (backyard pitmaster) are co-authors of the critically acclaimed cookbook, Fire + Wine, and have been creating content for the IACP nominated website Vindulge since 2009. They live in Oregon on a farm just outside Portland.

Brisket Nachos
No ratings yet

How to Reheat Brisket

A guide on how to reheat brisket from shredded to slices.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Servings: 1 portion

Ingredients 

  • 2 cups leftover brisket

Instructions 

Brisket Slices

  • Preheat the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Place a cookie drying rack on a sheet pan. Pour beef stock into the bottom of the pan. Place brisket slices on the cookie drying rack and cover in foil. Place in the oven and warm for 20 minutes. The beef stock will steam while the beef warms and keep it moist.

Brisket Burnt Ends

  • Preheat the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Place the burnt ends in an oven safe dish. Be sure to include all the rendered fat too. Cover with aluminum foil.
  • Bake for 20 minutes until the fat has rendered again and the burnt ends have warmed to at least 150 degrees F internal temperature.

SHREDDED BRISKET

  • In a medium size pan over medium heat (we like cast iron) add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Place the shredded brisket in the pan.
  • Stir for 8 minutes and then add your favorite sauce. Stir an additional 2 minutes and serve.

Notes

If pan searing add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1/4 cup of barbecue sauce.
If reheating slices in the oven use 1 cup of beef broth.

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Course: Entree
Servings: 1 portion
Keyword: how to reheat brisket, how to warm up brisket, leftover brisket ideas, leftover brisket recipes
Like this recipe? Leave a comment below!

mary cressler headshot

Vindulge

About Mary


I'm Mary, a wine/food/travel writer, Certified Sommelier, mom of twins, former vegetarian turned BBQ fanatic, runner, founder of Vindulge, and author of Fire + Wine cookbook. Thanks for stopping by!

You May Also Like:

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.