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    Home » Recipe Index » Sandwiches

    Easy Brisket Grilled Cheese (with leftover brisket)

    July 14, 2023 Updated April 26, 2024 By Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD Beef Dishes, Cooking for One, Sandwiches

    Jump to Recipe
    brisket grilled cheese on a plate with text overlay
    open slices of brisket grilled cheese on a plate

    Brisket grilled cheese for one is a great way to enjoy leftover brisket, in just 10 minutes! Instead of eating the exact same leftovers, add it to your grilled cheese to make a salty, creamy brisket grilled cheese sandwich.

    open slices of brisket grilled cheese on a plate

    [This recipe was originally posted in June 2020. It has been updated with cooking instructions, expert tips, FAQ, related recipes and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]

    Table of contents

    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Sides for your grilled cheese
    • Storage/Reheating Tips
    • Substitutions/Tips
    • FAQ
    • Other good sandwich recipes
    • What to do with leftover ingredients

    How many times are you left with just a bit of leftover BBQ brisket? Or maybe pot roast or pulled pork?

    No need to waste it, turn those great leftovers into an easy brisket grilled cheese instead of eating it the same way for a few days.

    This sandwich is bursting with salty, meaty, and cheesy flavor. It'll feel special, yet will just take you 7-10 minutes to throw together. Perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.

    Plus it's versatile, use whatever kind of bread or cheese you have on hand.

    Ingredients

    Scroll down to the brisket grilled cheese recipe card for the amounts of each ingredient, but here's a quick description of what's in this recipe.

    • Butter: A smear of butter adds nice flavor and helps your bread get crispy on the outside.
    • Bread: Use your favorite bread in this brisket grilled cheese sandwich.
    • Brisket/leftover pot roast: Use what you've got. If it's good on it's own, it'll be great in this sandwich. You can use leftover pulled pork or similar meat too. Coat it in BBQ sauce if desired.
    • American cheese: Is there a better cheese for grilled cheese? Nope. It melts really well and has a classic grilled cheese taste. It's really good paired with the brisket.
    • Cheddar cheese: I like to use 2 types of cheese in this brisket grilled cheese recipe. Cheddar cheese mellows out the flavors just a bit, while still melting well. Shredding it will help it melt easier and more evenly.

    Instructions

    Scroll down to the recipe card for more detailed instructions. Here's a quick overview + photos to see how to make this recipe in general.

    hand buttering a slice of bread

    1. Butter both slices of bread. Heat pan over medium heat.

    a slice of bread with cheese and brisket on it

    2. Add American cheese, brisket, shredded cheddar cheese, another slice of American cheese and 2nd slice of bread, butter side up. Cook.

    grilled cheese on pan with lid on top

    3. Cook on both sides. Cut in half and serve your brisket grilled cheese as is, or with a green salad, tomato soup, or side options below.

    Sides for your grilled cheese

    • Apple and Cucumber Salad
    • Cucumber Beet Salad with Feta
    • Sauteed Kale Salad
    • Copycat Chick Fil A Kale Salad

    Storage/Reheating Tips

    A brisket grilled cheese is best fresh. If you want leftovers, assemble and cook your sandwich just prior to enjoying.

    If you have leftovers or need to reheat it, store in an airtight container and reheat in the microwave or on the stove for crispy edges.

    Substitutions/Tips

    • Use your favorite kind of bread, if using frozen bread, toast until thawed before making grilled cheese.
    • Don't have brisket? Swap for pulled pork, leftover pot roast, or roast beef lunch meat.
    • Use whatever cheese you have on this brisket grilled cheese. Use at least 2 kinds for flavor. Mozzarella + cheddar, cheddar + parmesan, pepper jack cheese + cheddar, etc are all great combos.
    • Other great add-ins: red onion, caramelized onions, Spicy Pickled Onions, pickles, red pepper flakes or jalapenos, etc would all be great in a brisket grilled cheese.

    FAQ

    What do I do with leftover brisket?

    Add it to this brisket grilled cheese, eat as a sandwich (swap for roast beef), in an omelet, or make a BBQ brisket pizza.

    How do you make leftover brisket tender?

    Reheat your brisket grilled cheese by roasting it with it's fat, or spritz with some water if reheating in the microwave.

    What cheese is best for grilled cheese?

    My favorites are American cheese and cheddar cheese, especially a combination of them. American cheese has lots of flavor and melts beautifully.

    brisket grilled cheese on a plate next to brisket and cheese in bowls

    Other good sandwich recipes

    • Turkey and Brie Sandwich
    • Chicken Pecan Salad with Apples
    • Easy Chicken Salad in a Pita
    • Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad (enjoy as a sandwich)

    What to do with leftover ingredients

    When you're cooking for one, you often have leftover produce, cans of whatever ingredient, etc. Here are a couple ideas on how to use up the leftover ingredients. It'll help you save money by wasting fewer ingredients.

    • Cheddar Cheese: Protein Mac & Cheese, 10 Minute Queso, and Breakfast Tacos.
    • American Cheese: Single Serving Baked Mac and Cheese orswap for cheddar cheese in a recipe, or add to a cheesesteak sandwich, or make a plain grilled cheese sandwich.
    • Brisket: make into a sandwich or serve with garlic cheesy mashed potatoes.

    Did you make this brisket grilled cheese? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!

    brisket grilled cheese sandwich on a plate

    Brisket Grilled Cheese (with leftover brisket)

    Brisket grilled cheese for one is a great way to enjoy leftover brisket, in just 10 minutes! Instead of eating the exact same leftovers, add it to your grilled cheese to make a salty, creamy brisket grilled cheese sandwich.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Lunch, main, Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 3 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 8 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1 sandwich
    Author: Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN

    Equipment

    • Small Frying Pan
    • spatula
    • knife

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon butter softened
    • 2 slices bread either fresh or lightly toasted if previously frozen
    • ½ cup Chopped/shredded brisket
    • 2 slices American cheese
    • 1 tablespoon Shredded cheddar cheese

    Instructions

    • Heat up a small frying pan over medium heat. Spread ½ of the butter on one side of the bread, do the same to 2nd slice of bread. Place one slice of bread, butter side down on hot frying pan.
    • Place one slice of American cheese on bread, then add ½ cup of brisket, top with other 1 T shredded cheddar cheese, then add slice of American cheese on part of bread without American cheese. Top with 2nd slice of bread, butter side up. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until bread is desired brownness.
    • Flip sandwich with spatula, cook anther 2-3 minutes. Add a lid if cheese isn't melting fast enough, turn down heat to medium-low. Check doneness of bottom bread slice. Remove once bread is toasted and cheese is melted. Cut in half and serve as is, or with a green salad or tomato soup.

    Notes

    • Use your favorite kind of bread, if using frozen bread, toast until thawed before making grilled cheese.
    • Don't have brisket? Swap for pulled pork, leftover pot roast, or roast beef lunch meat.
    • Use whatever cheese you have. Use at least 2 kinds for flavor. Mozzarella + cheddar, cheddar + parmesan, pepper jack + cheddar, etc are all great combos.
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    Recipes are great, but you’ll need a simple 3 step process to create a meal plan that make cooking easy & helps you stop wasting food. Check out this expertly developed meal planning guide to get started. 

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    About Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD

    Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian who has been cooking for one for over 10 years. On Nourish Nutrition, you’ll find real, quick, and nourishing recipes for one that'll get you to want to cook for yourself, because you deserve it.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lisa | Garlic & Zest says

      June 17, 2020 at 11:24 am

      5 stars
      Oh, you went THERE... It doesn't get any better than leftover brisket and melty cheese!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        June 17, 2020 at 3:53 pm

        oh yes! and totally agree! such a great combo

        Reply
    2. Cindy says

      June 17, 2020 at 10:21 am

      5 stars
      My kiddos and I made this together! We have been spending a lot more time in the kitchen lately and its so fun. They really enjoyed making this recipe but they enjoyed eating it even more! Thanks for this delish creation, we are adding it to our “make again” list!! This is a 100% comfort food! YUMMM

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        June 17, 2020 at 3:53 pm

        great to hear! so glad you enjoyed making it with your kids 🙂

        Reply
    3. Cate says

      June 17, 2020 at 10:13 am

      Yum! This looks like the ultimate comfort food, saving this one for sure!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        June 17, 2020 at 3:54 pm

        awesome!

        Reply
    4. Carrie Robinson says

      June 17, 2020 at 9:54 am

      5 stars
      What an amazing idea for a grilled cheese! Looks so good! 🙂

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        June 17, 2020 at 3:54 pm

        oh it's SOO good!

        Reply
    5. Gloria Duggan says

      June 17, 2020 at 9:42 am

      5 stars
      OMG...you have elevated the classic grilled cheese to a whole new level of yum. We love smoking some brisket. This would be a great place for leftovers.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        June 17, 2020 at 3:54 pm

        sure did! haha

        Reply
    6. Jessica Formicola says

      June 17, 2020 at 9:24 am

      5 stars
      Um, this. is. genius! Brisket on a grilled cheese?? I know what we're having for dinner tonight!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        June 17, 2020 at 3:54 pm

        oh it's insane!

        Reply
    5 from 5 votes

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