Fort Worth-Inspired Texas BBQ Brisket Sandwiches

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-10 · Updated 2026-05-10

Smoky, tender BBQ brisket piled high on toasted buns with tangy slaw, capturing the bold flavors and lively spirit of Fort Worth’s famed BBQ scene. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 500 minutes pairs trimmed beef brisket, smoked paprika, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs, trimmed beef brisket
• 2 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp yellow mustard
• 1 tbsp honey
• 3 cups coleslaw mix
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (for slaw)
• 1/2 tsp salt (for slaw)
• 1/4 tsp black pepper (for slaw)
• 6, toasted hamburger buns

Instructions

1. Step 1: Combine 2 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp salt, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp onion powder in a bowl. Rub this spice mix evenly over all sides of the 3 lb trimmed beef brisket.
2. Step 2: Preheat smoker or grill to 225°F. Place the brisket fat-side up and smoke for approximately 6-8 hours until internal temperature reaches 195°F and meat is tender.
3. Step 3: While the brisket cooks, whisk together 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp yellow mustard, and 1 tbsp honey to create a tangy mop sauce.
4. Step 4: Remove brisket from smoker, wrap in foil, and let rest for 30 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.
5. Step 5: In a mixing bowl, toss 3 cups coleslaw mix with 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until fully coated.
6. Step 6: To assemble sandwiches, place generous slices of brisket on each toasted bun and top with a scoop of the tangy coleslaw. Serve immediately with pickles or chips.