Slab BBQ & Beer: El Jefe

Slab BBQ & Beer: El Jefe

Slab BBQ & Beer isn’t your typical central Texas BBQ Joint. If you’re a fan of BBQ sandwiches, or sammiches as they call them, then the El Jefe will have you feeling like the boss in no time. This sammich is piled high with chopped brisket, onions & peppers, oh and some delicious queso.

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Ingredients: 

Brisket:

1/4 cup sea salt

1/4 cup freshly ground black pepper

One 5- to 7-pound brisket flat (use Choice or a higher grade)

Queso:

One 2-pound block fast-melting white American cheese, such as Land O Lakes Extra Melt, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

Three 10-ounce cans diced tomatoes and green chiles

2 cups whole milk

Veggies:

2 white onions, julienne-cut

2 green peppers, julienne-cut

2 red peppers, julienne-cut

1/4 cup canola oil

1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon sea salt

1/2 tablespoon granulated garlic

Sandwiches:

12 to 15 buns, such as challah or jalapeno-Cheddar buns

Your favorite BBQ sauce, warmed, for serving

Pickled jalapenos, for serving

Corn chips, such as Fritos, for serving, optional

Directions: 

First, preheat your smoker to 275°F. In a bowl, mix together salt and pepper, then rub it all over the brisket. Smoke the brisket until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, which should take about 8 hours. Once it reaches that temperature, wrap it in foil and continue smoking until the internal temperature reaches 203°F and your thermometer slides in and out of the meat smoothly, which should take about 2 more hours. Let it rest for at least 1 hour before chopping it up. 

To make the queso, set up a double boiler and add cheese, diced tomatoes and chiles, and milk to the upper pan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring continuously until the cheese is fully melted. 

For the veggies, mix onions and peppers in a bowl. Toss them with oil, pepper, salt, and granulated garlic. Cook the veggies in a saute pan over medium-high heat, stirring continuously until they are translucent. 

To make the sandwiches, toast the buns and add BBQ sauce to each half. Add handfuls of the chopped brisket on the bottom buns and a little more BBQ sauce on top of the meat. Add queso, veggies, and jalapenos to your desired heat. If you want a crunchy treat, add corn chips. Finally, top the sandwich with the other half of the bun. Enjoy your delicious meal!