Air Fryer Brisket Sandwich: Your New Favorite Lunch!

It’s safe to say I’ve eaten a lot of beef brisket. It’s the litmus test of any new barbecue place I try, but I make my fair share at home too because it’s more cost effective. That usually means I have leftovers, and this air fryer brisket sandwich is one of my favorite uses for them!

air fryer brisket sandwich recipe dinners done quick

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Whether you’ve made your own or gone to your favorite local barbecue joint, you’ve likely got some leftover BBQ beef brisket. So, why not take that and make it into an amazing barbecue brisket sandwich for lunch the next day?

This air fryer brisket sandwich recipe uses cooked beef brisket, caramelized onions, peppers, and a garlic aioli to make something magical. Pop it all on a hoagie, grinder, or sub roll (whatever you like to call it) and toast it up!

The air fryer does a great job of getting you warm filling, toasty bread, and making it quick enough for lunch.

closeup of brisket sandwich with chips

The best part is, you can modify your brisket sandwich toppings any way you like. Add cheese, swap out veggies or sauces, and change up the bread. This recipe goes great with pulled, sliced, or chopped brisket. The ideas and possibilities are endless!

What You Need: Ingredients

ingredients to make air fryer brisket sandwich

Serving Size Note: This recipe is for two beef brisket sandwiches. Simply halve the ingredients for one, or double for 4.

Ingredient Notes, Variations, and Substitutions

  • Any sub, hoagie, or grinder rolls are a great choice, and you can use white or wheat. For a smaller option, use 4 Kaiser rolls, brioche, or potato buns
  • This recipe uses leftover (already cooked) beef brisket. It doesn’t matter if it’s smoked or barbecue flavor, it all works great. If you need a recipe to cook it, check out my Air Fryer Brisket recipe!
  • The pepper relish can be swapped for cooked bell peppers, sliced jalapenos or banana peppers, or any sort of sweet or hot pickled peppers you like
  • Onion bacon jam adds such great flavor, but you can use pickled onions, slices of bacon, or just plain onions if you prefer. See my easy recipe for Caramelized Onions in the Air Fryer to prepare your own!
  • If you don’t like garlic aioli, you could swap for horseradish sauce (like the Arby’s Horsey Sauce), barbecue sauce, chimichurri, au jus, spicy mustard, or your favorite
  • Variations: Feel free to add any other brisket sandwich toppings you might like. Cheddar cheese (slices or sauce), fried onion straws, bacon, pickles, and coleslaw are some of my other favorites

How to Make a Brisket Sandwich In the Air Fryer

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (or the closest setting your air fryer has)
  2. Open your hoagie rolls (cut them lengthwise if they are not pre-cut)
  3. Spread the inside of the top and bottom of each roll with 1 Tbsp garlic aioli
spread garlic aioli on roll
  1. To the bottom of each roll, add 2 Tbsp caramelized onion bacon jam
add caramelized onion bacon jam to bun
  1. On the top half of each roll, spread 2 Tbsp pepper relish
spread pepper relish over hoagie bun
  1. Add ¼ lb of beef brisket to each roll, and then fold the top over the bottom to close it
add brisket meat to sandwich and close bun
  1. Place the brisket sandwich into the preheated air fryer basket with the top facing down (cut in half if needed to fit)
place sandwiches in air fryer basket
  1. Cook on the air fry setting for 10 minutes at 375°F, pausing halfway to flip the sandwich over
  2. Cut in half if desired, and serve with your favorite sides
overhead view of two air fryer brisket sandwiches on a plate with bbq chips

What Goes With a Brisket Sandwich?

  • Coleslaw
  • Potato salad
  • Macaroni salad
  • Chips
  • Fries
  • Scalloped potatoes
  • Potato skins
  • Cucumber salad
  • Mac and cheese
  • Pickled red cabbage
  • Baked beans
  • Pickled vegetables
  • Corn on the cob
  • Corn pudding
  • Fried green beans
  • Roasted Brussels sprouts
  • Blistered shishito peppers
  • Fresh watermelon

There are so many great sides, some even doubling as toppings, that go with a brisket sandwich.

Try your air fryer brisket sandwich with my creamy Air Fryer Scalloped Potatoes, loaded homemade Potato Skins in the Air Fryer, easy Air Fryer Corn Casserole, quick Microwave Red Cabbage with Apple, zesty Vinegar Cucumber Onion Salad, or some perfectly complementary Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts With Bacon.

Recipe FAQs

What Is a Brisket Sandwich?

A brisket sandwich is, in short, simply a handheld made with beef brisket as the primary filling. The most basic iteration simply adds a sauce, such as barbecue. More complicated versions include vegetables, toppings, and even other meats like bacon.

The beef may be sliced, pulled, or chopped, and the bread may vary as well based on preferences.

What is the Best Bun For a Brisket Sandwich?

The best bun for a brisket sandwich should be sturdy enough to hold the meat, but not dense enough to take away from the flavor. For a round bun, choose a Kaiser roll, potato bun, or brioche.

Sub rolls are a great alternative for a larger sandwich, as well as demi baguettes.

How to Serve Beef Brisket Sandwich?

Serve a beef brisket sandwich warm, with side dishes to complete the meal. There are a variety of picnic sides, barbecue sides, and sandwich sides that go well. When serving guests, it’s a good idea to lay out a variety of toppings and condiments for self service.

Don’t forget to add a beverage, as well as plenty of napkins.

What Do You Put On a Brisket Sandwich?

Some of the best brisket sandwich toppings include:

• Barbecue sauce
• Horseradish sauce
• Chimichurri
• Garlic aioli
• Hot sauce
• Pickles
• Jalapenos
• Banana peppers
• Pickled onions
• Caramelized onions
• Pickled peppers
• Bell peppers
• Avocado
• Bacon
• Cheese sauce
• Coleslaw
• Crispy onion straws

What Kind of Cheese Goes on a Brisket Sandwich?

Typically, the best kinds of cheese for a brisket sandwich are cheddar or cheese sauce.

However, pepper jack, provolone, colby jack, and other peppered cheeses are good alternatives.

What Cut of Brisket is Best For Sandwiches?

Typically, point cut brisket is used for sandwiches. However, that doesn’t mean you cannot use other cuts. Simply trim as much fat as you want from the cooked brisket before creating your sandwich.

Sandwiches are made with pulled, chopped, and sliced beef brisket, so there is no need to cut it a certain way.

Is Sliced or Chopped Brisket Better For Sandwiches?

Both sliced and chopped brisket are good for sandwiches, so which is a better choice is entirely personal preference. Chopped will be in smaller pieces, so it may be easier to eat. Sliced, however, feels and appears thicker and heartier.

Sliced offers the option to stack layers with other toppings, while you could mix them in like a salad with chopped brisket.

How Many Sandwiches Can One Brisket Make?

How many sandwiches one brisket can make depends on the size of the brisket. Assume ¼ pound of cooked beef brisket per sandwich and then figure it out based on the brisket weight. For example, a two pound brisket should make about 8 sandwiches.

Remember that the brisket will lose weight after cooking, with loss of fat and moisture, so air on the side of caution when estimating.

Recipe Pro Tips

  • If your brisket sandwich is very packed, you can use toothpicks to help hold it together during cooking. Just don’t forget to remove them before consuming!
  • Use a spatula to aid in flipping the sandwiches and in removal when they’re done cooking – they will be hot!
air fryer brisket sandwich with barbecue chips and pickles

Storage and Reheating

  • Leftover brisket should be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within 4 days. It is best to not store beef brisket sandwiches, as they will get soggy. Just store the meat alone and assemble the sandwich when you’re ready to eat it
  • Technically, this brisket sandwich idea is a reheating method in and of itself. However, you may also reheat cut BBQ brisket in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-10 minutes depending on the size of your pieces

More Delicious Air Fryer Sandwich Recipes to Try

  • Air Fryer Monte Cristo Sandwich
  • Air Fryer Hot Brown
  • Perfect Air Fried PB&J
  • Air Fryer Peanut Butter Banana Sandwich

Final Thoughts

This easy air fryer brisket sandwich recipe is the perfect way to turn cooked beef brisket into something delicious! The garlic, peppers, onions, and bacon combination on these grinders makes for an incredible meal.

Of course, there are tons of other great brisket sandwich toppings ideas to explore, so feel free to experiment and create your own favorite combination. The air fryer toasts the bread and heats the meat up perfectly for a quick and easy option.

Pair your beef brisket sandwich with your favorite barbecue sides for a complete meal. It’s even enough to keep you full for dinner!

If you love brisket, make sure to check out my recipe for Air Fryer Burnt Ends to crisp your brisket burnt ends up beautifully!

air fryer brisket sandwich recipe dinners done quick featured image

Air Fryer Beef Brisket Sandwich With Peppers & Onions

This air fryer beef brisket sandwich cooks up perfectly in just about 10 minutes. It’s perfect with peppers, onions, bacon, and garlic flavor, or choose your own favorite toppings!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine American, Barbecue
Servings 2
Calories 744 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 submarine sandwich rolls
  • ½ Pound cooked beef brisket (pulled, sliced, or chopped and excess fat trimmed)
  • 4 Tbsp pepper relish
  • 4 Tbsp garlic aioli
  • 4 Tbsp bacon onion jam

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (or the closest setting your air fryer has)
  • Open your hoagie rolls (cut them lengthwise if they are not pre-cut)
    2 submarine sandwich rolls
  • Spread the inside of the top and bottom of each roll with 1 Tbsp garlic aioli
    4 Tbsp garlic aioli
  • To the bottom of each roll, add 2 Tbsp caramelized onion bacon jam
    4 Tbsp bacon onion jam
  • On the top half of each roll, spread 2 Tbsp pepper relish
    4 Tbsp pepper relish
  • Add ¼ lb of beef brisket to each roll, and then fold the top over the bottom to close it
    ½ Pound cooked beef brisket
  • Place the brisket sandwich into the preheated air fryer basket with the top facing down (cut in half if needed to fit)
  • Cook on the air fry setting for 10 minutes at 375°F, pausing halfway to flip the sandwich over
  • Cut in half if desired, and serve with your favorite sides

Notes

  • Any sub, hoagie, or grinder rolls are a great choice, and you can use white or wheat. For a smaller option, use 4 Kaiser rolls, brioche, or potato buns
  • This recipe uses leftover (already cooked) beef brisket. It doesn’t matter if it’s smoked or barbecue flavor, it all works great!
  • The pepper relish can be swapped for cooked bell peppers, sliced jalapenos or banana peppers, or any sort of sweet, hot, or pickled peppers you like
  • Onion bacon jam adds such great flavor, but you can use pickled onions, slices of bacon, caramelized onions, or even raw onions if you prefer
  • If you don’t like garlic aioli, you could swap for horseradish sauce, barbecue sauce, chimichurri, au jus, spicy mustard, or your other favorites
  • Variations: Feel free to add any other brisket sandwich toppings you might like. Cheddar cheese (slices or sauce), fried onion straws, bacon, pickles, and coleslaw are some of my other favorites
  • If your brisket sandwich is very packed, you can use toothpicks to help hold it together during cooking. Just don’t forget to remove them before consuming!
  • Use a spatula to aid in flipping the sandwiches and in removal when they’re done cooking – they will be hot!
  • Leftover brisket should be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within 4 days. It is best to not store beef brisket sandwiches, as they will get soggy. Just store the meat alone and assemble the sandwich when you’re ready to eat it
  • Technically, this brisket sandwich idea is a reheating method in and of itself. However, you may also reheat cut BBQ brisket in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-10 minutes depending on the size of your pieces
  • Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only

Nutrition

Serving: 299gCalories: 744kcalCarbohydrates: 81gProtein: 37gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 7.4gCholesterol: 106mgSodium: 1732mgFiber: 2gSugar: 33gVitamin C: 2.4mgCalcium: 215mgIron: 5.7mg
Keyword air fryer brisket sandwich, air fryer brisket sandwich recipes, barbecue brisket sandwich, bbq brisket sandwich, beef brisket sandwich, brisket, brisket sandwich, brisket sandwich ideas, brisket sandwich recipe, brisket sandwich toppings, ninja air fryer brisket sandwich, sliced brisket sandwich
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Katie Vine