Arby's Smokehouse Brisket features tender smoked beef brisket layered with smoky barbecue sauce, crispy onions, and melted cheddar cheese, all served on a toasted sesame seed bun, delivering a rich and smoky flavor with a satisfying crunch.
Equipments
- Smoker
- Slicing knife
- Cutting board
- Barbecue sauce brush or ladle
- Cheese slicer or grater
- Oven or microwave (for melting cheese)
- Fryer (for crispy onions)
- Tongs
- Bun toaster or grill
- Serving tray or sandwich wrapper
Ingredients
- 3–4 lb (1.4–1.8 kg) beef brisket
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons black pepper
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 cup crispy fried onions
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
- 4 sesame seed sandwich buns
When selecting beef brisket for your smoked sandwich, choose a cut weighing between 3 to 4 pounds to ensure adequate servings and optimal tenderness. Applying a dry rub of kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder brings out the smoky flavor essential to this recipe. Use a smoker for the brisket, as it imparts the rich, smoky taste characteristic of the original Arby's Smokehouse Brisket. Toast your sesame seed buns for added texture and use fried onions for that signature crispy crunch. Your copycat Arby's Smokehouse Brisket combines smoky beef, barbecue sauce, crispy onions, and melted cheddar cheese on a toasted bun, replicating the iconic rich and hearty flavor.
Instructions
- Preheat smoker to 225°F (107°C).
- Mix kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder in a bowl.
- Rub spice mixture evenly over beef brisket.
- Place brisket in smoker and smoke for 6–8 hours until tender.
- Remove brisket and let rest for 15–20 minutes.
- Slice brisket thinly with slicing knife on cutting board.
- Toast sesame seed sandwich buns using bun toaster or grill.
- Warm barbecue sauce with a brush or ladle.
- Layer sliced brisket onto bottom halves of buns.
- Brush or ladle barbecue sauce over brisket.
- Top brisket with cheddar cheese slices.
- Melt cheese with oven or microwave.
- Add crispy fried onions on top of melted cheese.
- Place top bun on sandwich.
- Serve sandwiches on serving tray or wrap for serving.
Substitution
Arby's Smokehouse Brisket from the Arby's copycat menu offers a rich and smoky flavor with tender smoked beef brisket, smoky barbecue sauce, crispy fried onions, and melted cheddar cheese on a toasted sesame seed bun. If you don't have a smoker, you can achieve a similar flavor by slow-roasting the brisket in the oven with smoked paprika and liquid smoke. Crispy fried onions can be substituted with fried shallots or homemade onion rings if a fryer is not available. Use a microwave or oven to melt the cheddar cheese evenly without drying it out. You can toast the buns on a grill pan or in a toaster to ensure your sandwich has the perfect crunch.
Tips
Maintaining a consistent smoker temperature of 225degF (107degC) throughout the 6-8 hour cooking process is crucial for achieving tender brisket. You should let the brisket rest for 15-20 minutes after smoking to allow juices to redistribute, preventing dryness. Slice the brisket thinly against the grain using a sharp slicing knife on a clean cutting board for maximum tenderness. When layering, apply warm barbecue sauce evenly and melt the cheddar cheese thoroughly before adding crispy fried onions to ensure a balanced flavor and texture.
Nutritions
Arby's Smokehouse Brisket offers a high-protein meal with tender smoked beef brisket providing essential amino acids necessary for muscle repair and growth. The cheddar cheese contributes calcium and vitamin D, supporting bone health, while crispy fried onions add carbohydrates and a crunchy texture for satiety. Barbecue sauce, although flavorful, contains sugars that may impact your daily carbohydrate intake. Served on a toasted sesame seed bun, this sandwich delivers energy-dense nutrition, making it suitable for those needing a hearty meal.
Storage
Store leftover smoked brisket tightly wrapped in aluminum foil or an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. Reheat brisket gently using a microwave or oven to maintain moisture and tenderness, adding a splash of barbecue sauce to enhance flavor. You can keep crispy fried onions in a sealed container at room temperature to preserve their crunch for up to a week.
Variation or Alternatives
You can experiment with the type of cheese by substituting sharp cheddar with smoked gouda or pepper jack to add a different flavor profile. For a healthier option, swap the fried onions for crispy roasted shallots or caramelized onions to maintain crunch with fewer calories. Instead of using a smoker, consider slow-cooking the brisket in a slow cooker with liquid smoke and the spice rub to achieve tenderness when a smoker isn't available. Toasting the buns on a grill can add a subtle charred flavor, enhancing the overall smoky taste of your sandwich.
Allergies
Arby's Smokehouse Brisket contains common allergens such as dairy from the cheddar cheese and gluten from the sesame seed sandwich buns. The fried onions may also be cooked in oils that contain allergens like soy or wheat, depending on the preparation method. You should check ingredient labels carefully if you have allergies to dairy, gluten, or specific cooking oils to avoid adverse reactions.
Why this recipe?
Arby's Smokehouse Brisket menu appeals to people due to its tender, slow-smoked beef brisket paired with bold, smoky barbecue sauce that delivers rich, savory flavors. The sandwich's combination of caramelized onions, melted cheddar cheese, and toasted sandwich roll creates a satisfying texture contrast that enhances every bite. You'll find that trying to recreate the copycat recipe at home allows you to customize seasoning and control ingredient quality, making it a worthwhile kitchen experiment. Fans appreciate the authentic smokehouse taste that sets Arby's apart from other fast-food chains, making it a cherished choice for barbecue lovers.