Reubens are one of my favorite sandwiches. They have one of the most exciting flavor profiles and are always a good choice! I decided to give an old favorite BBQ flair and came up with Cheesy Brisket Reuben Bites. 

This recipe looks fancy but is easy to make. It uses shortcut ingredients that save time but not flavor! If you’re looking for creative ways to use leftover brisket, you’ll want to try my Cheesy Brisket Reuben Bites. Serve them as a fun meal or appetizer. Either way, you’re in for the time of your life. 

My Cheesy Brisket Reuben Bites are a fun way to use your Traeger Ironwood 885. The bites have just the right amount of BBQ flair. Dishes like this are always a hit with everyone, including kids. This recipe would make a great addition to any St. Patty’s day spread! 

The Ingredients

I love recipes that come together with less than 10 ingredients. This one requires just 6! You won’t use all of my rub, so save leftovers for the next great cook! Here’s what you need to add to your shopping cart. 

• Pre-made crescent roll dough. Somedays, it’s best to keep it simple. I used pre-made crescent dough to make this appetizer. It’s easy to work with and flakes gorgeously on the pit. 

• Leftover brisket, cut into small chunks. Traditional reubens use pastrami, but this recipe is done my way, so brisket it is! I don’t like to let anything go to waste in my kitchen. Some of my favorite recipes were created to use leftovers! Be sure to cut your brisket small enough to fit inside a crescent roll. 

• Sauerkraut. Sauerkraut is a fancy name for fermented cabbage, easily found in most grocery stores. A little sauerkraut goes a long way! This ingredient gives this recipe a little tang and moisture. 

• Shredded Gruyere and Swiss cheese. You can’t beat a tasty blend of Gruyere and Swiss cheese! The best part? It comes together in one handy package. Shredded cheese saves time and allows you to fit more into the Cheesy Brisket Reuben Bites. 

• ¼ cup butter, melted. The secret to flaky crescent rolls is to baste them with butter. The butter seeps into the dough, giving it a down-home flavor. 

• Heath Riles BBQ Garlic Butter Rub. My best-selling AP rub is the cherry on top of a great recipe. This delicious seasoning tastes amazing on chicken, pork, sandwiches, eggs, veggies, and popcorn. You won’t be able to get enough of it! 

The Smoker Setup

Here’s the primary equipment I used for this cook. More of my grilling favorites can be found in the Equipment and Tools section. 

The Smoker Setup

• Pellet Grill/Smoker. I used a Traeger Ironwood 885 for this recipe. This grill has many fantastic features, like double-walled insulation, an app that lets you control your pit from anywhere, and a pellet sensor that ensures you never run low. With this many bells and whistles, you’ll never get bored. 
• Pellets. I used Royal Oak Charcoal Hardwood Pellets for this cook. Their charcoal contains no fillers and gives a good, pure smoke. I am partial to Royal Oak Charcoal’s products and use them in the backyard and on the circuit. 

The Process for Making Cheesy Brisket Reuben Bites

You can find a detailed demonstration of this recipe in the short clip and recipe card. For now, here’s a quick rundown of how I pulled this cook together. 

• Fire up the grill. I stoked the Traeger Ironwood 885 with Royal Oak Charcoal Hardwood Pellets and fired it up to 400℉.

• Fill the Reuben Bites. I sprayed my cast iron skillet with cooking spray and arranged the crescent triangles in a circle. Then, I placed a piece of leftover brisket in the center, topped with a bit of sauerkraut and shredded cheese. 

• Fold and baste. I folded the crescent roll dough around the filling, pinching to seal. I basted melted butter over the top, followed by a little Heath Riles BBQ Garlic Butter Rub. 

• Cook. I set the cast iron pan on the Traeger Ironwood 885 and cooked the Cheesy Brisket Reuben Bites for 25-30 minutes. Once the bites were golden brown, I took them off the pit. The only thing left was to dig in! 

The Results

These amazing Cheesy Brisket Reuben Bites were even better than the sandwich! They were easy to eat and full of flavor. Heath Riles BBQ Garlic Butter Rub took this recipe over the top. I know you’ll love it as much as I did.  

Serving Suggestions for Cheesy Brisket Reuben Bites

Serve your Cheesy Brisket Reuben Bites with Thousand Island dressing. If it’s St. Patty’s Day, add a Guinness Draught Stout!

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, you can store them in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze them for up to 4 months. 

Equipment and Tools

Traeger Ironwood 885, Royal Oak Charcoal Hardwood Pellets, disposable cutting board, Lodge cast iron skillet, ThermoWorks Hi-Temp Silicone Basting Brush.

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