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BBQ Bratwurst with Grilled Onions

BBQ bratwurst with grilled onions pairs smoky, juicy grilled sausages with sweet caramelized onions and a tangy BBQ finish. Bratwurst are grilled until browned, sauced at the end, then loaded into lightly toasted brat buns with dill pickles.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 560
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Bratwurst
  • 6 bratwurst sausages
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 0.5 cup bbq sauce
Grilled Onions
  • 2 sweet onions sliced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
For Serving
  • 6 brat buns
  • 0.25 cup dill pickle slices
  • 0.25 cup yellow mustard optional
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 grill basket
  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Preheat and prep
  1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
  2. Toss the sliced sweet onions with 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
  3. Place the onions in a grill basket.
Grill onions and bratwurst
  1. Grill the onions for 12–15 minutes, until tender and caramelized, turning if needed for even browning.
  2. Grill the bratwurst for 12–15 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
  3. Brush the bratwurst with BBQ sauce during the last 3 minutes of cooking so it sets and glazes.
Toast and assemble
  1. Toast the brat buns lightly on the grill.
  2. Place the bratwurst in the buns.
  3. Top generously with the grilled onions.
  4. Add dill pickle slices and yellow mustard if desired.
  5. Finish with fresh parsley for garnish and serve immediately.

Notes

For maximum caramelization, don’t stir the onions constantly—let them sit in the basket long enough to brown. Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 3 days; reheat bratwurst and onions separately until warmed through. Freezing is not recommended for best onion texture. Dietary swap: use chicken or plant-based bratwurst to keep the same BBQ-on-grill method.