Smoked Brisket And Cheese: The Perfect Pairing

There are several types of cheese that go well with smoked brisket. For example, a popular choice is to make a grilled cheese sandwich with leftover brisket, using cheeses such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, smoked cheddar, Gruyere, or Comté. Other recipes suggest using pepper jack cheese, Colby-jack cheese, or even mayonnaise in place of butter to achieve a crisp exterior. If you're looking for a soft cheese to pair with smoked brisket, Boursin or a mild Brie are good options.

Brisket grilled cheese sandwich

A classic grilled cheese sandwich is one of the ultimate comfort foods, but adding tender, smoky brisket takes it to a whole new level. Here is a recipe for a brisket grilled cheese sandwich that will satisfy all your needs.

Ingredients:

• Leftover brisket
• Bread (sourdough, Italian, Texas toast, brioche, or French bread)
• Butter
• Dijon mustard
• Cheese (smoked cheddar, gruyere, Monterey jack, pepper jack, mozzarella, or a combination)

Optional ingredients:

• Barbecue sauce
• Pickled red onions
• Mayonnaise

Instructions:

• Warm up your leftover brisket slowly in a pan on the stovetop. If your brisket is dried out, add about a tablespoon of your favourite barbecue sauce.
• Once the meat is warmed, transfer it to a plate and wipe out the pan.
• Place your bread slices on a plate or work surface.
• Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread.
• Turn the bread slices over and add a layer of Dijon mustard to the inside of the bread (the unbuttered side).
• Layer the cheese, brisket, and more cheese on top of the mustard.
• Place the other slice of bread on top, buttered side facing out.
• Place sandwiches on the hot skillet (covered with a lid) and cook for 3-5 minutes per side, until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted.
• Cut in half and serve.

Tips:

• If you want to add your favourite barbecue sauce to the brisket before adding it to your sandwich, just add a few tablespoons to add moisture and flavour without becoming too saucy.
• If you prefer to make your own brisket, check out this recipe for Brisket Sweet Potatoes, which includes instructions, tips, and tricks for the perfect brisket.
• If you want that golden and crusty exterior combined with a gooey centre, spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on your bread before grilling instead of butter.

Best cheese for brisket grilled cheese sandwiches

There are several types of cheese that work well in a brisket grilled cheese sandwich. Here are some options to consider:

Cheddar and Gruyere (or Comté)

Shredded smoked cheddar and Gruyere (or Comté) make a great combination for a brisket grilled cheese sandwich. Both cheeses melt incredibly well and have mild flavours that won't overpower the brisket.

Monterey Jack

Monterey Jack is a common cheese that can add a bit of kick to your sandwich. It melts well and is a good alternative if you don't have cheddar or Gruyere.

Pepper Jack

Pepper Jack is another suitable option that can add some spice to your sandwich.

Sliced Cheese

While shredded cheese tends to melt more evenly, you can also use sliced cheese for your brisket grilled cheese sandwich. Sliced cheddar and Monterey Jack are popular choices.

Other Considerations

When making a brisket grilled cheese sandwich, it's important to use leftover brisket that is shredded or sliced. Sourdough, Italian, Texas toast, or French bread are recommended, and butter or mayonnaise can be used to achieve a golden brown exterior. Finally, consider adding condiments such as Dijon mustard or BBQ sauce to enhance the flavour of your sandwich.

Other leftover brisket recipes

Leftover brisket can be used in a variety of dishes, including sandwiches, tacos, nachos, quesadillas, and more. Here are some specific recipe ideas to try:

• Brisket grilled cheese sandwich: Layer sliced or shredded leftover brisket with cheese (such as cheddar, Gruyere, or Monterey Jack) between two slices of bread (sourdough or French work well). Spread butter on the outside of the bread and cook in a skillet or panini press until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted.
• Brisket tacos: Chop up leftover brisket and add it to warm tortillas with your favourite taco fillings. You can also make breakfast tacos by adding scrambled eggs or refried beans.
• Brisket nachos: Spread tortilla chips on a platter and top with refried beans, chopped brisket, jalapeños, onions, and shredded cheese. Bake in the oven until the cheese has melted, and garnish with pico de gallo, cilantro, and sour cream.
• Brisket quesadillas: Spread shredded brisket, cheese, and crispy onion strings on a flour tortilla. Fold the tortilla in half and cook in a frying pan until the tortilla is toasted and the cheese is melted. You can also add barbecue sauce or refried beans for extra flavour.
• Brisket chili: Cook chopped onion, garlic, and chilli in a pot with olive oil. Add ground beef, chilli powder, cumin, and other seasonings. Drain the fat, then add diced tomatoes, beans, and chopped brisket. Simmer in a crockpot for about 10 hours.
• Brisket hash: Combine chopped brisket with diced potatoes, sweet potatoes, apples, or beets, and fry until crispy. Top with a fried egg for a hearty breakfast.

Best bread for grilled cheese sandwiches

The bread you choose for your grilled cheese sandwich is important. It needs to be sturdy enough to hold the melted cheese, take on a sear in the pan, and bring its own flavour to the sandwich. Here are some of the best options:

Sourdough

Sourdough is incredibly versatile and works well with a blend of mild and extra sharp cheddar. It has a more open crumb (a bigger pattern of holes) than other breads, a crispier crust, and a tangy flavour. Its sturdy slices can hold up to a long sear in the pan, and its flavour stands up to but won't overwhelm the cheese. However, the irregular holes could make cheese drips a challenge, so look for country-style sourdoughs that have a tighter crumb.

Brioche

Airy, buttery brioche makes for an extra-decadent grilled cheese sandwich. It has a dense crumb, or pattern of holes, so it is easy to spread with butter or mayo and the melted cheese won't drip through. It pairs well with a mild, melty young gouda or even thin slices of brie and raspberry jam. However, because it has a softer texture, it won't get extra crisp and could burn more easily.

Pullman Loaf

Tender, typically white Pullman loaves are naturally associated with sandwiches thanks to their long, rectangular shape, which makes for perfect square slices. Top with your favourite cheddar and a few slices of juicy ripe tomato and crispy bacon before griddling.

Pumpernickel

Pumpernickel bread is made with molasses and brown sugar, giving it a deep brown colour, sweetness, and soft texture. Make a grilled cheese with an Alpine cheese like Gruyere or Emmental (or a blend), sliced cornichons, and plenty of whole-grain mustard—or pair a mild cheese like young cheddar or Colby with thin slices of tart apple.

Multigrain

Thick slices of nutty multigrain bread boost fibre and flavour in your grilled cheese sandwich. Hearty multigrain stands up to a variety of cheeses, from gooey mozzarella with tomatoes and basil to pungent, creamy blue cheese set off with sweet fig jam.

Ciabatta

Similar to a baguette, ciabatta's crusty exterior and bubbly interior make it a great candidate for an outside-in grilled cheese. Stuff split ciabatta with fresh mozzarella, slices of tomato, and a dollop of pesto.

Focaccia

Give stale focaccia a new life by turning it into bread for a grilled cheese. Depending on the thickness of your loaf, you can use two separate slices or split an extra-tall focaccia horizontally and stuff fillings like smooth Fontina, roasted red peppers, olives, and fresh herbs inside before griddling.

White Bread

There's a reason the iconic grilled cheese sandwich is made with thinly sliced soft white bread—it's accessible, simple, and easy to make at home. It pairs well with the kind of cheese you want to be using (American, plus any other slice you might want to pair with it, like Colby Jack with American).

Grilled cheese sandwiches are versatile, so feel free to experiment with different types of bread and cheese until you find your perfect match!

How to make crispy grilled cheese

Ingredients

• Bread (crusty Italian, sourdough, French, or brioche)
• Butter or mayonnaise
• Cheese (cheddar, Swiss, jack, gruyère, or a mix)
• Leftover brisket (optional)
• Dijon mustard (optional)
• Pickled red onions (optional)

Method

• If you're using leftover brisket, warm it up in a pan on the stovetop.
• Spread butter or mayonnaise on one side of each slice of bread.
• Place one slice of bread, butter/mayo-side down, into a hot skillet.
• Add cheese slices and any other fillings, such as leftover brisket, pickled red onions, or Dijon mustard.
• Spread butter or mayonnaise on one side of the remaining bread slice and place it on top of the fillings, butter/mayo-side up.
• Cook the sandwich on medium-low heat until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted. This should take around 3-5 minutes per side.
• Flip the sandwich and cook the other side until it is equally golden and crispy.
• Remove the sandwich from the skillet and slice it in half.

Tips for a Crispy Grilled Cheese

• Use a lid to cover the skillet while cooking to help melt the cheese.
• Cook the sandwich at a lower temperature to achieve a crisp exterior and melted cheese without burning.
• Use mayonnaise instead of butter to achieve a crisp, golden brown exterior.
• Choose a good melting cheese such as cheddar, Swiss, jack, or gruyère.

Frequently asked questions