Smoked Brisket Sliders with Pickled Onions
Tender smoked brisket piled on mini buns with tangy pickled onions for a flavorful, handheld meal. This American-inspired grilling recipe, ready in about 70 minutes, pairs brisket, smoked paprika, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 8, 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
- 1 lb brisket
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 8 minibuns
- 1/2 cup red onion
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat brisket dry, then rub with smoked paprika, brown sugar, and black pepper. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet and roast at 325°F (160°C) for 45-50 minutes until tender and easily shredded.
- Step 2: While brisket roasts, combine red onion, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat and cook for 10 minutes until onions are translucent.
- Step 3: Shred brisket with two forks and mix with 1/4 cup of its juices. Let cool for 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Slice minibuns in half and spread bottom halves with 1 tbsp of pickled onions. Top with 2 oz brisket mixture, add remaining onions, and cover with bun tops. Serve immediately.
