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Whenever I want to treat myself or wow some friends, I whip up this amazing grilled cheese filled with tender maple brisket. All that melty cheddar and sweet maple dripping through buttery bread and hot waffles? Total comfort food mood. Seriously, it’s the kind of thing everyone grabs before you blink.
After we went sledding in the snow, I cooked this up for my crew. Now it’s the meal they beg for. Plus, any leftovers are gone fast!
Irresistible Ingredients
- Butter: Slather high quality butter onto bread for the crispiest golden outside
- Waffles: Four waffles should get nice and toasty—cooked until crunchy for that fun texture
- Bread: Grab eight sturdy sourdough or thick brioche slices so the fillings don’t fall apart
- Cheddar cheese: Pile in two cups shredded sharp cheddar for big flavor and serious melt
- Pure maple syrup: Use half a cup pure maple syrup for deep sweetness and sticky caramel edges—skip the pancake stuff
- Brisket: One pound fatty brisket (get the kind with those nice fat layers) keeps it rich and juicy
Easy Steps
- Finish the Waffles:
- While you’re grilling the sandwiches, pop your waffles in the toaster or oven until they’re piping hot and crispy. Adds crazy good crunch to each bite.
- Build Your Wafflewiches:
- Sandwich each grilled cheese between two waffles. Give them a gentle press together so everything holds. Dig in while they’re still hot for max joy.
- Toast and Stuff:
- Generously butter one side of each bread slice. Drop one slice buttered side down in a warm skillet, sprinkle a solid layer of cheddar, load up the brisket, then top with the other bread slice (buttered side out).
- Get Cheesy:
- Cook sandwiches on medium until that first side goes deep golden and crunchy, pressing down just a bit. Flip over, let it brown, and wait for the cheese to go gooey throughout.
- Shred the Brisket:
- Shred that brisket right in your slow cooker with a couple forks. This lets every piece soak up the goodness.
- Cook the Brisket:
- Tuck brisket into your slow cooker. Drown it in maple syrup. Let it go on low about 8 hours—meat should fall apart easily with a fork when it’s ready.
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Seriously, I look forward to pouring the maple syrup every time. It turns the brisket into almost candy with this sweet crust. My kids now call it magic meat—it makes me laugh.
Smart Storage
Pop any brisket leftovers in a tight container and keep in the fridge for up to three days. Store bread, cheese and waffles on their own so they stay fresh. When you’re hungry, warm up the brisket gently on the stove, throw together a new grilled cheese, and toast those waffles last minute so they stay crispy.
Swap Outs
Switch up the cheese with smoked gouda or pepper jack for new flavors. No brisket? Leftover pulled pork or roast beef works too. Want it even richer? Try Texas toast or soft brioche. Gluten free folks can pick their favorite bread or waffles—the combo still works!
How to Serve It
Slice these sandwiches in half or quarters for a crowd-friendly platter. They’re awesome with a green salad or tomato soup. Want breakfast vibes? Just add scrambled eggs or hash browns on the side.
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Fun Backstory
Mixing maple-sweet brisket and grilled cheese feels like a playful throwback to diner meals. Adding waffles gives it a nod to Southern brunch fun too. This mash-up is cozy and over-the-top—perfect for making any meal feel special.
Common Recipe Questions
- → Can this be made in advance and heated later?
Best move is to grill the sandwiches right before eating, so they're crisp, but go ahead and slow-cook and shred the brisket the day before if you want to speed things up.
- → Why put waffles into this sandwich?
The waffles bring a little crunch and just a kiss of sweetness that plays really well with cheesy brisket.
- → Could I trade out cheddar for a different cheese?
Absolutely, you can switch cheddar for anything that melts nicely, like Swiss, gouda, or even mozzarella. Just pick what you like best.
- → Is store-bought brisket an option for this meal?
Sure thing! While brisket made with maple is extra tasty, you can use cooked brisket from the store and warm it with maple syrup for a shortcut.
- → How much time does the brisket need in the slow cooker?
Let the brisket hang out on low for 8 hours. When it falls apart with a couple of forks, it’s perfect.