A brisket sandwich with the PERFECT amount of brisket. Made for us at Dickey’s BBQ Pit!

Ingredients

• 2 pounds Beef Brisket (trimmed of excess fat)
• 2 tablespoons Barbecue Rub (store‑bought or homemade (brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper))
• 1 cup Wood Chips (hickory or oak, soaked 30 minutes)
• 4 pieces Hamburger Buns (soft, sturdy buns; toasted before serving)
• 8 ounces Elbow Pasta (cooked al dente)
• 1.5 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese (grated)
• 1 cup Milk (whole milk for richness)
• 2 tablespoons Butter (unsalted, cut into cubes)
• 2 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour (for roux)
• 1 teaspoon Salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon Black Pepper (freshly ground)
• 4 slices Optional Pickles (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Brisket

   Pat the brisket dry, trim excess fat, then rub both sides with the barbecue rub, pressing it into the meat.

   Time: PT15M

2. Preheat Smoker

   Soak wood chips for 30 minutes, then preheat the smoker to 225°F (107°C) and add the soaked chips.

   Time: PT15M

   Temperature: 225°F

3. Smoke the Brisket

   Place the brisket fat side up on the smoker grate. Smoke until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), about 3 hours.

   Time: PT3H

   Temperature: 225°F

4. Wrap and Finish Cooking

   Remove the brisket, wrap tightly in aluminum foil, and return to the smoker until the internal temperature hits 203°F (95°C), about 45 minutes.

   Time: PT45M

   Temperature: 225°F

5. Rest the Brisket

   Let the wrapped brisket rest for 30 minutes before unwrapping and slicing thinly against the grain.

   Time: PT30M

6. Cook Pasta

   Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, add elbow pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.

   Time: PT12M

   Temperature: Boiling

7. Make Cheese Sauce

   In a saucepan melt butter over medium heat, whisk in flour to form a roux, cook 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk, simmer until thickened (2‑3 minutes). Stir in grated cheddar, salt, and pepper until smooth.

   Time: PT10M

   Temperature: Medium

8. Combine Pasta and Sauce

   Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce, toss to coat. If the mixture is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.

   Time: PT5M

9. Bake Mac and Cheese (Optional)

   Transfer the mac and cheese to a baking dish, sprinkle a little extra cheddar on top, and bake at 350°F (177°C) for 12‑15 minutes until golden.

   Time: PT15M

   Temperature: 350°F

10. Toast Buns

    Slice the hamburger buns, butter the cut sides lightly, and toast on a hot skillet or grill for 1‑2 minutes until golden.

    Time: PT5M

11. Assemble the Sandwich

    Place a generous layer of sliced brisket on the bottom bun, top with a scoop of mac and cheese, add optional pickles, and cover with the top bun.

    Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

820

Protein

45g

Carbohydrates

60g

Fat

45g

Fiber

3g