Barbecue brisket sliders are a delicious way to transform leftover beef brisket, and the combination of tender brisket, creamy Alabama white sauce, and buttery Hawaiian rolls is downright irresistible. Whether you’re hosting a game-day gathering or just need a quick dinner idea, these bite-sized sandwiches are sure to be a hit!
What are Brisket Sliders?
Brisket sliders are bite-sized sandwiches packed with juicy, flavorful beef brisket that slow-cooks until it’s tender enough to shred or slice. They’re typically served on mini slider buns or buttery Hawaiian rolls with barbecue sauce, pickles, vinegar coleslaw, cheese, and other tasty toppings.
I love pairing mine with a homemade version of Alabama white sauce, a tangy mayonnaise-based barbecue sauce created by Bob Gibson in 1925 for grilled chicken drumsticks and pulled pork. Turns out, it’s just as delicious with brisket! Serve the mini sandwiches as an appetizer or party snack—but fair warning, they’ll disappear fast!
Key Ingredients
- Alabama White Sauce: Combine mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, prepared horseradish, fresh lemon juice, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, white pepper, and black pepper to make a white sauce or Alabama white BBQ sauce for the sliders – the best sauce for BBQ brisket sandwiches!
- Brisket: Don’t have leftover brisket? Purchase a premade one at the grocery store or make it yourself. If you decide to go that route, try my brisket in the oven recipe, but be sure to set aside the time to prepare it! Then, thinly slice the brisket or shred it and toss the beef with BBQ sauce.
- BBQ Sauce: I am sure there are many tasty BBQ sauces, but my family’s go-to is Sweet Baby Ray’s. This brand is always delicious, and they offer sugar-free, which makes everyone in the family happy.
- Hawaiian Rolls: The sweetness of Hawaiian rolls pairs perfectly with BBQ, but you can also use dinner or yeast rolls as slider buns; this recipe produces a dozen brisket sliders.
- Butter: Finish the rolls with a brush of melted butter before they bake for a glossy finish.
- Poppy Seeds: Top the buns with poppy seeds for a polished look. You can also use sesame or sunflower seeds if you want something more crunchy.
Additions and Substitutions
- Replace the creamy white BBQ sauce with BBQ aioli, horseradish cream sauce, ancho aioli, or spicy skhug sauce.
How to Make Brisket Sliders
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350℉ (176℃). Then, whisk the ingredients for the Alabama white sauce in a small bowl until smooth.
Step 2: Shred or slice pre-cooked or leftover beef brisket and toss it with a tablespoon of your favorite barbecue sauce.
Step 3: Cut a Hawaiian roll sheet in half using a bread knife. Generously spread the Alabama white sauce onto both sides and transfer the bottom sheet to a prepared baking dish.
Step 4: Spoon the brisket over the top in an even layer, add your favorite toppings, and cover it with the top of the Hawaiian roll sheet.
Step 5: Brush the rolls with melted butter and sprinkle with poppy seeds. Bake for 15-20 minutes until soft and heated through.
If you enjoy the brisket sliders, try one of these appetizer recipes!
What Goes with Brisket Sliders?
- Toppings: Pickled Yellow Onions, Pickled Jalapeños, Ancho Aioli, BBQ Aioli
- Potatoes: Roasted Potatoes, Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes, Air Fryer Frozen Sweet Potato Fries, Potato Chips
- Sides: Baked Beans with Hamburger, Dutch Oven Mac and Cheese, Turmeric Roasted Cauliflower
- Salad: Coleslaw, Healthy Potato Salad, Southern Potatoes Salad, Gluten Free Pasta Salad
What To Do With Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Freeze: Let the sandwiches cool completely, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. Brisket sandwiches freeze for 2-3 months.
- Thaw: Defrost the sliders in the refrigerator overnight.
- Reheat: Place the thawed sliders into a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F (176°C) for 15-20 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to put on brisket sliders?
Consider topping the sliders with melted cheddar or havarti cheese, dill pickles, pickled onions, jalapeños, serrano chilies, sumac onions, or caramelized onions and mushrooms.
How long to cook brisket sliders?
If making the sliders fresh, bake them at 350°F (176°C) for 15-20 minutes, following my instructions.
If preparing them in advance, freeze the assembled sandwiches, then thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.
What rolls are good for brisket sandwiches?
Back in college, I worked at a BBQ restaurant, and during the week, we’d visit local high schools to serve brisket and pulled pork sliders to students.
Hawaiian rolls were our go-to, but use dinner rolls, yeast rolls, hamburger buns, brioche buns, ciabatta rolls—whatever you have on hand!
More Sandwich Recipes:
Brisket Sliders
- Small Bowl
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
- lemon juice, ½ lemon
- 1½ teaspoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, coarse ground
- Preheat the oven to 350℉ (176℃). Then, whisk the ingredients for the Alabama white sauce in a small bowl until smooth.
- Shred or slice pre-cooked or leftover beef brisket and toss it with a tablespoon of your favorite barbecue sauce.
- Cut a Hawaiian roll sheet in half using a bread knife. Generously spread the Alabama white sauce onto both sides and transfer the bottom sheet to a prepared baking dish.
- Spoon the brisket over the top in an even layer, add your favorite toppings, and cover it with the top of the Hawaiian roll sheet.
- Brush the rolls with melted butter and sprinkle with poppy seeds. Bake for 15-20 minutes until soft and heated through.