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Smoky Chipotle Beef Brisket Sliders Recipe with Easy Quick Pickled Onion

smoky chipotle beef brisket sliders - featured image

Tender, slow-braised beef brisket infused with smoky chipotle spices, served on toasted slider buns with bright, quick pickled onions for a perfect balance of smoky, spicy, and tangy flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 34 pounds beef brisket, trimmed of excess fat
  • 2 tablespoons chipotle chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup beef broth (240 ml)
  • 1 large red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar (240 ml)
  • 1/2 cup water (120 ml)
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 1 bay leaf (optional)
  • 12 small slider buns, lightly toasted
  • Fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped (a handful)
  • Optional: sliced avocado or chipotle mayo for extra creaminess

Instructions

  1. Prepare the dry rub by whisking together chipotle chili powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper to taste.
  2. Pat the beef brisket dry with paper towels. Rub olive oil all over the meat, then massage the dry rub thoroughly onto all sides. Let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  3. Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Heat a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed ovenproof pot on medium-high heat.
  4. Sear the brisket fat side down for 4-5 minutes until a deep brown crust forms. Flip and sear the other side for another 4-5 minutes.
  5. Pour in beef broth, scraping browned bits from the bottom. Cover with lid and transfer to the oven. Braise for 3 to 4 hours until fork-tender, checking halfway and adding broth if needed.
  6. While brisket cooks, prepare quick pickled onions: place sliced red onions in a heatproof bowl or jar. In a saucepan, combine apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, salt, black peppercorns, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer until sugar dissolves, then pour over onions. Let sit at room temperature for at least 20 minutes.
  7. Remove brisket from oven and let rest covered for 20 minutes. Shred meat with two forks, mixing in cooking juices.
  8. Toast slider buns on a baking sheet or grill pan until golden and slightly crisp.
  9. Assemble sliders by piling shredded brisket on bun bottoms, topping with pickled onions and cilantro. Add sliced avocado or chipotle mayo if desired. Cap with bun tops and serve immediately.

Notes

Slow-braising the brisket low and slow is key for tender meat. Searing before braising creates a flavorful crust. Thinly slice onions for quick pickling and allow at least 20 minutes for best flavor. Rest brisket after cooking to retain juices. For gluten-free buns, use almond flour buns. For dairy-free, omit or use plant-based mayo. Leftover brisket can be refrigerated up to 4 days or frozen up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: smoky chipotle beef brisket sliders, quick pickled onions, slow braised brisket, slider recipe, comfort food, barbecue sliders