Grilled Bourbon-Glazed Beef Brisket with Charred Onion Relish

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-09 · Updated 2026-06-09

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 barbecue recipe, ready in about 260 minutes, pairs 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.

Ingredients

• 3 pounds beef brisket
• 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 medium yellow onion
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

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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.