Grilled Bourbon-Glazed Beef Brisket with Charred Onion Relish

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Smoky beef brisket glazed with a sweet bourbon barbecue sauce and topped with a vibrant charred onion relish for depth and texture. This southern-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 260 minutes pairs pounds beef brisket, bourbon whiskey, ketchup for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 240 min Serves 6 Southern cuisine 520 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 cup ketchup, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, and 1 tsp garlic powder. Simmer for 15 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally.
  2. Step 2: Pat dry 3 pounds beef brisket and season evenly with 2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Preheat a charcoal or gas grill to medium-low heat (around 275°F).
  3. Step 3: Place the brisket on the grill grates away from direct heat, cover, and cook for about 4 hours, brushing every hour with half of the bourbon barbecue sauce.
  4. Step 4: While the brisket cooks, slice 2 medium yellow onions into 1/2-inch thick rings. Toss with 3 tbsp olive oil and grill over direct heat for 5-7 minutes per side until deeply charred but still tender.
  5. Step 5: Chop the grilled onions finely, mix with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and set aside as a relish.
  6. Step 6: When the brisket reaches an internal temperature of 195°F, remove it from the grill, let rest for 20 minutes, slice thinly against the grain, and serve topped with the charred onion relish and remaining bourbon BBQ sauce.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Bourbon-Glazed Beef Brisket with Charred Onion Relish take to make?

Total time is about 260 minutes (20 min prep + 240 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Grilled Bourbon-Glazed Beef Brisket with Charred Onion Relish?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pounds beef brisket from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Bourbon-Glazed Beef Brisket with Charred Onion Relish?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Grilled Bourbon-Glazed Beef Brisket with Charred Onion Relish for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Grilled Bourbon-Glazed Beef Brisket with Charred Onion Relish?

Southern bbq & smoked like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes