When you’ve got a hungry crowd to feed, sliders are an excellent alternative to full-sized sandwiches. Slider recipes are great for lunch, and they’re ideal finger food for parties and game-day gatherings. If you’re looking for a dish that will impress (and satisfy!) your guests, brisket sliders are the way to go.
This recipe features juicy, tender beef and unbeatable flavor from blue cheese mayonnaise and caramelized onions. Make no mistake, this isn’t a quick recipe. We slow-cook the brisket from scratch and take the time to make caramelized onions. But all these steps are fully worth it. The empty platter will speak for itself!
Brisket Slider Ingredients
- Beef brisket: Our recipe starts with slow-cooking a fresh beef brisket. Of course, you can always swap in leftover cooked brisket if you have it on hand.
- Brisket seasonings: This brisket sits on a flavorful rub overnight to infuse with savory seasonings. Then the brisket cooks with aromatic vegetables, red wine, stone-ground mustard and bay leaves.
- Mini buns: Any small bun works here. Whip up mini hamburger buns if you’re feeling ambitious, or use Hawaiian dinner rolls to for a soft bite and sweet edge.
- Blue cheese mayonnaise: This flavored mayonnaise is funky and cheesy. It’s balanced with a little zip from horseradish and cayenne.
- Caramelized onions: As they cook over medium-low heat, onions becoming meltingly tender and surprisingly sweet. This process does take a while—up to 35 minutes—but you can prepare the onions several days in advance.
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the brisket rub
In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons salt, sugar, crushed peppercorns and garlic.
Step 2: Rub the brisket, and refrigerate
Rub the brisket rub onto all sides of the brisket. Cover and refrigerate for eight hours or overnight.
Step 3: Prepare the blue cheese mayonnaise
In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, blue cheese, horseradish and cayenne. Refrigerate until you’re ready to assemble the sliders.
Step 4: Layer the ingredients in the slow cooker
Place the carrots, chopped onions and celery in a 6- or 7-quart slow cooker. Place the brisket on top of the vegetables.
Step 5: Slow-cook the brisket
In a small bowl, combine the red wine, mustard and bay leaves.
Pour the mixture over the brisket. Cook, covered, on low for seven to nine hours or until the meat is fork-tender.
Step 6: Caramelize the onions
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and the remaining salt. Cook and stir until softened.
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook for 30 to 35 minutes or until deep golden brown, stirring occasionally.
Editor’s Tip: Caramelized onions are different from sauteed onions. Sauteed onions cook pretty quickly. They might be softened and slightly browned, but they still retain a sharp onion flavor. Caramelized onions, however, enjoy an extended cooking time, which lets the onion’s natural sugars brown. Caramelized onions have a deep color and a super-sweet flavor.
Step 7: Slice the brisket
Remove the brisket, and allow it to cool slightly. Reserve 1 cup cooking juices, and discard the remaining juices. Skim the fat from reserved juices. Thinly slice the brisket across the grain.
Step 8: Combine the sliced brisket with the juices
Return the sliced brisket to the slow cooker. Pour the juices over the brisket.
Step 9: Assemble the brisket sliders
Arrange the brisket on buns with the blue cheese mayonnaise and caramelized onions. If desired, add arugula and tomato slices.
Recipe Variations
- Make them for a party: If you’re making this recipe as a party appetizer, consider making the sliders at once (like we do for these Cuban sliders). It makes prep so much easier! Assemble the sliders on Hawaiian rolls in a greased 13×9-inch baking pan. Top them off with melted butter, and bake in a 350°F oven until heated through.
- Use your favorite toppings: You can add most burger toppings to brisket sliders. Try cheddar cheese, tangy pickled onions, creamy coleslaw or sliced jalapenos.
- Change the sauce: If blue cheese isn’t your thing, swap in Alabama white barbecue sauce, creamy horseradish sauce or regular aioli. You can also skip the mayonnaise-based dressings and serve the sliders with stone-ground mustard or barbecue sauce.
Can you make brisket sliders ahead of time?
We don’t recommend assembling the sliders ahead of time, as the bread will get soggy. However, you can prepare the caramelized onions and brisket up to three days ahead of time. Store each component separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. To prevent the brisket from drying out, store it whole with the cooking juices.
When you’re ready to eat, reheat the onions in a skillet over gentle heat. For the brisket, slice the meat, and place it in an oven-safe baking dish with the juices. Reheat it in a 325° oven for about 45 minutes, or in a slow cooker on low for three to four hours, until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°.
How to Store Beef Brisket Sliders
Store leftover brisket and caramelized onions in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to four days. It’s best to store the brisket with the cooking juices so the meat does not dry out.
Can you freeze brisket sliders?
Freeze leftover brisket in the cooking juices for up to six months. You can freeze caramelized onions for up to three months. Thaw the contents in the refrigerator overnight.
Brisket Sliders Tips
Can you make brisket sliders with leftover brisket?
This slider recipe is a great way to use up leftover brisket from your favorite slow-cooker brisket or barbecue brisket recipe. You can use sliced, chopped or pulled brisket in this recipe. Simply reheat the brisket in the oven or on the stovetop over low heat. To keep the brisket from drying out, add a little water, cooking juices or barbecue sauce to the meat.
What is the best cut of brisket for beef brisket sliders?
We like to use the flat cut of brisket to make sliders. It has less fat than the point cut, and its even shape makes it easier to slice. If you want to make pulled brisket instead of sliced brisket, feel free to swap in the point cut.
What should you serve with brisket sliders?
Serve brisket sliders with your favorite sandwich sides, like fries, potato chips, pasta salad or potato salad. It also tastes great with barbecue sides like mac and cheese or baked beans.
