BBQ Brisket Melts Sandwich (Print-Friendly Version)

Tender brisket, melted cheese, and crisp onions stacked on toasted sourdough with a hint of smoke and tang.

# What You'll Need:

→ Brisket Preparation

01 - 1 whole brisket, trimmed of excess fat
02 - Mustard, sufficient to coat brisket as binder
03 - Pepper-forward brisket rub, to generously season
04 - Hickory pellets, as needed for smoking
05 - Apple cider vinegar, for brisket wrapping
06 - Beef tallow, 3–4 tablespoons
07 - Butcher's paper, for wrapping

→ Onion Caramelization

08 - 2 whole onions, diced
09 - Avocado oil, 2 tablespoons
10 - Kosher salt, 1 tablespoon
11 - Unsalted butter, 2 tablespoons

→ Sandwich Assembly

12 - Sourdough bread, as required
13 - Unsalted butter, for toasting and assembly
14 - Fried crispy onions, to taste
15 - Colby Jack cheese, 2 slices per melt
16 - Provolone cheese, 2 slices per melt
17 - Favorite BBQ sauce, to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Trim brisket of excess fat and evenly coat with mustard to act as a binder.
02 - Generously apply pepper-forward brisket rub on all sides. Refrigerate for 1–2 hours to allow seasoning to penetrate.
03 - Preheat pellet smoker to 100°C. Insert hickory pellets and place a water pan below the meat. Smoke brisket for 9–10 hours until internal temperature reaches 74–77°C.
04 - Remove brisket and wrap tightly in butcher's paper with a splash of apple cider vinegar and 3–4 tablespoons beef tallow. Return to smoker and continue at 120°C until internal temperature is 96–97°C.
05 - Allow brisket to rest, still wrapped, in a cooler for 2–3 hours to retain moisture and tenderness.
06 - In a skillet over medium heat, sauté diced onions with avocado oil, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, and kosher salt. Cook, stirring regularly, until onions are deeply caramelized.
07 - Layer slices of sourdough bread with Colby Jack cheese, sliced brisket, caramelized onions, fried crispy onions, BBQ sauce, Provologne cheese, and top with another slice of bread.
08 - Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add unsalted butter and toast assembled melts for 3–4 minutes per side, flipping once, until golden brown and cheese has melted.

# Additional Tips:

01 - Resting the brisket in a cooler ensures maximum juiciness and easy slicing for optimal melt texture.

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