16 Delicious Ways To Use Up Leftover Brisket

Brisket is a staple in many households across the country. But, the leftovers are often wasted.

If you want to reduce your food waste and get savvier with your meal planning, check out our favorite ways to use up leftover brisket below.

1. Breakfast Skillet

If you’re a fan of hearty, savory breakfast dishes, you simply have to try this leftover brisket breakfast skillet.

It is bursting with flavor and particularly versatile – feel free to throw in any leftover veggies or cheese!

The best thing about this breakfast dish is that it all comes together in just one pan, so there is very little washing up to do!

For the best results, make sure to cook your onions on medium heat for as long as possible.

2. Grilled Cheese

Grilled cheese sandwiches are staples in most households across the country.

However, if you want to put a grown-up twist on this classic dish, we highly recommend that you incorporate your leftover brisket meat.

The result is a hearty and decadent sandwich that is sure to make your mouth water.

It requires just four ingredients, but we suggest that you use high-quality bread and cheddar or Pepper Jack cheese for the best results.

3. Brisket Tacos

If you’re hoping to make a whole new evening meal out of your leftover brisket, this recipe is ideal.

It’s sure to please the whole family – including the picky eaters! In fact, the best thing about tacos is that they are completely customizable.

This recipe does have a long cooking time, but don’t let that put you off.

The use of the slow cooker means that there is barely any active cooking time at all! We love serving these tacos with homemade salsa and guacamole.

4. Brisket Nachos

If you’re looking for a lazy, easy, and picky meal to eat on a Sunday afternoon, you won’t be disappointed with these Grilled Brisket Nachos.

They are simple to make, versatile, and bursting with wonderful Mexican flavors!

To make this dish really special, make sure that you don’t hold back with the toppings!

We love loading these nachos with olives, chives, jalapenos, and homemade guacamole. If you love a bit of spice, you can also incorporate some sriracha.

5. Smoked Chilli

If you’re looking for a dish to fill a gap in your weekly rotation, this one is a great option.

It is mouth-wateringly tasty, economical, and versatile, and it can be cooked in just one pot. What more could you ask for?

Don’t let the fairly lengthy ingredients list for this recipe put you off – most of the ingredients are likely to be already sitting in your pantry.

6. Twice Baked Potatoes

The humble baked potato might seem like a bit of a boring meal. But, when you combine it with smoked brisket and a whole lot of cheese, you get something quite special.

This recipe is perfect if you fancy a lazy and indulgent lunch.

The combination of fontina cheese, parmesan cheese, butter, fluffy potatoes, and juicy brisket is to die for.

For the best results, make sure you coat the potato in a good dose of olive oil and salt to get that crispy finish.

7. BBQ Pizza

Brisket and pizza aren’t a classic pairing, so you’re forgiven for feeling a bit skeptical. But, we promise you, this BBQ brisket pizza is super tasty!

The base consists of a sweet and sticky BBQ sauce that is incredibly moreish.

This recipe calls for a ready-made pizza shell and store-bought BBQ sauce.

However, if you have a bit more time on your hands, we recommend trying to make your own from scratch. It is super rewarding and really elevates the dish!

8. Brisket Soup

If you’re struggling through the winter months and fancy a heart-warming soup that will give your body the boost it needs, you can’t go wrong with this leftover brisket soup. And, it’s surprisingly easy to make!

Many people are under the impression that, in order to make a good soup, you need an extensive amount of ingredients.

But this recipe calls for just 10 ingredients, and it’s likely that you have most of them in your pantry already!

9. Beef Ragu

There is nothing we love more than a hearty ragu. If you feel the same, you will absolutely adore this beef brisket ragu recipe.

It is incredibly rich, decadent, and delicious! It will go well with your favorite type of pasta.

Now, the ingredients list is fairly long, and it takes some time and effort to put together.

But, we promise you, it is definitely worth it! If you are hosting a friend for dinner, this is an excellent dish to serve.

10. Brisket Spaghetti

If you’re a lover of spaghetti, this brisket spaghetti recipe is the perfect way to use up your extra beef (see also our favorite leftover corned beef recipes).

It is light, fresh, and full of wonderful ingredients. In fact, this dish makes an excellent weeknight family dinner.

You don’t need many ingredients to make this dish come to life, but you do need to make sure that you are using quality ingredients.

For example, investing in good extra-virgin olive oil and kosher salt will make a huge difference!

11. Quesadilla

If you fancy a simple meal but want a big flavor, you have to try these brisket quesadillas.

In fact, they’re a great economical option for a game-day appetizer! All of your family and friends are sure to love them.

The best thing about this recipe is that it requires minimal ingredients, and you can easily swap them out for products that you already have in your fridge if necessary!

To make the best brisket quesadillas (see also our favorite easy quesadilla recipes), we recommend tossing your brisket in BBQ sauce.

12. Salad

Whether you really cannot be bothered to cook, or you fancy a light salad after a heavy day of indulging, this brisket salad is perfect for you.

It also works as a wonderful side dish or starter to any main!

The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of garlic powder and 1 tablespoon of dried basil. However, we love to add a bit more of both for some extra flavor!

Also, feel free to use fresh basil if you can get your hands on some.

13. Smoked Brisket Empanadas

In our opinion, one of the most indulgent ways to use up leftover brisket is to make empanadas (see also ‘20 Best Empanada Recipes And Filling Ideas‘).

The combination of smoked beef (see also ‘40 Of The Best Smoker Recipes That Are Perfect For Beginners‘) and flaky pastry is always a winner! We love making these as a fun snack when guests visit.

For the best results, make sure that you make or buy a super delicious dipping sauce!

We love these with a creamy BBQ dip, but if you like a bit of spice, a hot-sauce-inspired dip would be delicious too!

14. Brisket Bruschetta

This brisket bruschetta recipe puts a delicious and indulgent twist on an Italian classic. Every piece is bursting with rich flavor.

We love making this dish as an appetizer at an impromptu party, or even just as a snack!

This recipe requires very few ingredients and no time at all!

To make sure that it is as tasty as possible, we recommend purchasing a crusty and fresh sourdough loaf. Also, be generous with the cilantro garnish!

15. Mac And Cheese

Ever since we tried this recipe we’ve been obsessed with the combination of mac and cheese and brisket.

Admittedly, it is an indulgent one, so it shouldn’t be eaten every night. But, it makes for a wonderful weekend treat.

This dish is creamy, smoky, and includes four different types of cheese.

We love the combination of sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, and New York White Cheddar – but feel free to add your own favorite cheese!

16. Birria Ramen

We couldn’t finish this list without including this incredible ramen recipe (see also ‘26 Ramen Recipes You Can’t Live Without‘). If you fancy a filling and heart-warming dish that will get you through cold winter evenings, this recipe is perfect for you.

Don’t be intimidated by the ingredients list. It is long, but all of the ingredients are very easy to get your hands on.

Most stores sell soy sauce, mirin (see also ‘10 Mirin Substitutes‘), and rice wine vinegar – but, if you’re struggling to find them, your local Asain supermarket is sure to stock some!

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Is Leftover Brisket Good For?

Generally speaking, leftover cooked brisket (without liquid or gravy) is good for around 4 days. If your brisket is kept in gravy, it will only last for around two days in the fridge.

In the freezer, your cooked brisket without gravy will last for around two months. However, if stored with gravy, your brisket can be stored in the freezer for around three months.

How Do You Reheat Leftover Brisket Without Drying It Out?

To make sure that you don’t out your brisket when reheating it, follow these steps:

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. If you have any leftover juices, coat the brisket in the juices.
3. Wrap the brisket in foil.
4. Let it sit at room temperature for around half an hour.
5. Place it in the oven for 20 minutes if it is sliced, and one hour if it is whole.

Conclusion

Leftover brisket is very versatile. From Mexican dishes to Italian appetizers, you can incorporate this great ingredient into pretty much any recipe!

We hope that this list has inspired you to use up your brisket leftovers!