15-Minute Smoked Brisket Sliders

Prep: 5 minCook: 5 min8 servingsmediumBarbecue
Smoked Brisket Sliders with Pickles and Pepper Jack

Quick assembly sliders built on Hawaiian buns with smoky shredded brisket, tangy dill pickles, melted pepper jack cheese, and caramelized onions. Perfect for game day gatherings, casual lunches, or feeding a crowd fast. This version skips the griddle step and uses pre-cooked brisket for minimal effort while the pickles add bright acidity against rich beef and cheese.

Ingredients

8 servings
  • 1 pound beef brisket flat half, fully cooked
  • ½ cup unsalted beef broth
  • 8 King's Hawaiian Original or Pretzel Slider Buns, split
  • ½ cup barbecue sauce
    mustard-based or vinegar sauce1:1vegan

    adds depth without sweetness

    Full guide →
  • 2 slices pepper Jack cheese, cut in quarters
    provolone or cheddar1:1dairy-free

    neutral swap

    Full guide →
  • ¼ cup Grillo's Pickles Classic Dill Chips
  • 8 white onion, thinly sliced into rings

Instructions

  1. 1

    Heat medium saucepan over medium heat.

  2. 2

    Add brisket and beef broth. Cover and cook 5 minutes until brisket is hot.

  3. 3

    Place brisket slices evenly on bottom halves of buns.

  4. 4

    Top each with barbecue sauce, cheese quarter, pickle chips, and onion slice.

  5. 5

    Close sandwiches with bun tops.

Tips

Tip 1

Warm buns in the pan after cooking brisket for toasted texture and better heat retention.

Tip 2

Slice brisket against the grain before warming to ensure tender, easy-to-bite pieces in each slider.

Good to Know

Storage

Wrap cooled sliders in foil and refrigerate up to 3 days. Reheat wrapped in 325F oven for 8-10 minutes.

Make Ahead

Shred and warm brisket, prepare toppings separately. Assemble within 2 hours of serving to prevent buns from soaking.

Serve With

Serve immediately on a platter with extra pickles on the side. Pairs with coleslaw, baked beans, or kettle chips.

Common Mistakes

Watch

Do not overheat the brisket in broth to avoid drying it out; 5 minutes is sufficient for pre-cooked meat.

Watch

Do not assemble sliders too far ahead to avoid soggy buns from pickle and onion moisture.

Substitutions

Dairy-Free Swaps

pepper Jack cheese
provolone or cheddar1:1dairy-free

neutral swap

Full guide →

Vegan Options

barbecue sauce
mustard-based or vinegar sauce1:1vegan

adds depth without sweetness

Full guide →

Gluten-Free Swaps

King's Hawaiian buns
soft pretzel buns or brioche1:1gluten-free using GF buns

texture differs

Find more substitutions →

FAQ

Can I make these ahead?

Warm brisket and prep toppings up to 4 hours prior. Assemble no more than 2 hours before serving to keep buns fresh.

What if I don't have pepper Jack cheese?

Provolone, sharp cheddar, or smoked gouda work well. Any semi-firm cheese with some flavor will complement the brisket.

Can I freeze these sliders?

Not recommended after assembly due to bun texture loss. Freeze shredded brisket separately up to 2 months instead.