Grilled Texas-Style Brisket Sandwich with Pickled Onions

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-28 · Updated 2026-05-28

Smoky grilled brisket slices piled on a toasted bun with tangy homemade pickled onions for a Texas-inspired hearty sandwich. This American sandwich and wrap recipe, ready in about 70 minutes, pairs beef brisket, kosher salt, and black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 530 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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

• 2 lbs beef brisket
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 4 soft sandwich buns
• 1/4 cup yellow mustard

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Combine 2 tsp kosher salt, 2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, and 1 tsp smoked paprika in a small bowl. Rub this spice mix evenly over 2 lbs beef brisket, coating all sides.
2. Step 2: Preheat a grill to medium heat (about 350°F). Brush 2 tbsp olive oil on the grill grates to prevent sticking. Grill the brisket for 45 minutes, turning every 10 minutes, until a crust forms and internal temperature reaches 145°F for medium.
3. Step 3: While brisket cooks, prepare pickled onions by combining 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup water, and 1 tbsp granulated sugar in a small saucepan. Heat until sugar dissolves, then pour over 1 thinly sliced medium red onion in a jar. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
4. Step 4: Once brisket is grilled, let rest for 10 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain. Toast 4 soft sandwich buns on grill for 1-2 minutes until slightly charred.
5. Step 5: Assemble sandwiches by spreading 1 tbsp yellow mustard on each bun, layering sliced brisket, and topping with pickled onions. Serve warm.