Andy Montoya
Bratwurst is a German sausage that can be cooked in several ways, including grilling, boiling, roasting, air frying, and pan-frying. One popular method is to cook the bratwurst in a skillet on the stove, which typically involves browning the sausages and then adding liquid to create a sauce. Another common approach is to bake the bratwurst in the oven, which can result in a crispy exterior while keeping the meat juicy. Regardless of the cooking method, bratwurst is often served with toppings such as sauerkraut, mustard, and onions, and paired with sides like German potato salad or sweet corn. For a cheesy twist, bratwurst can be served with macaroni and cheese, or topped with cheese of your choice.
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What You'll Learn
How to cook brats in the oven
Bratwurst is a type of German sausage, typically made from a mixture of pork, beef, or veal. It is often flavoured with marjoram, nutmeg, white pepper, onion, and garlic.
Firstly, preheat your oven to between 350°F and 425°F. Place a piece of parchment paper on a rimmed sheet pan (rimmed to prevent any juices from spilling over). Spread out the uncooked bratwurst on the pan, ensuring there is at least 1" space between each sausage.
Bake the bratwurst for 10 minutes, then flip the sausages and cook for another 8-10 minutes. The bratwurst should reach an internal temperature of 160°F. If you want the sausages to be browner, place them under the broiler for 1-2 minutes.
Sides and Toppings:
Bratwurst pairs well with various sides and toppings. You can serve it on a soft roll or pretzel roll with slaw, kraut, or sautéed peppers and onions. Some other side options include mac and cheese, baked beans, devilled eggs, fruit salad, and air fryer corn on the cob.
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How to cook brats on the grill
Grilled brats are a delicious treat, perfect for a summer evening or a game-day get-together. You can use a variety of different meats and spices to make your brats, and there are a few ways to cook them. Here is a step-by-step guide to grilling brats with cheese:
Firstly, decide on your bratwurst. You can use a German sausage, or make your own beer brats. Bratwurst is traditionally made with pork and veal, but you can also get all-beef brats or a combination of meats. You can also add spices such as ginger, nutmeg, coriander, and caraway seeds.
Next, prepare your grill. If you are using a gas grill, preheat one side to medium-low heat, and the other to high heat. If you are using charcoal, you can either cook the brats directly on the grill or use a cast-iron skillet. If you are using a skillet, you will need to lightly coat it with olive oil.
Now, it's time to cook the brats. Place your raw, fresh brats on the medium-low heat side of the grill. Cook them gently, turning them over a few times, until the interior temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, transfer them to the high heat side of the grill and sear both sides. The brats are ready when they reach 160 degrees Fahrenheit. This method should take around 15 minutes in total.
Finally, serve your brats with your favorite toppings and sides. You can serve them in hot dog rolls with grilled peppers and onions, or with a German potato salad. For a cheesy twist, add some cheese sauce, or even a pineapple coleslaw. Enjoy!
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How to cook brats on the stove
Cooking brats on the stove is a quick and easy way to make a delicious meal. This simple recipe uses just a few ingredients and can be ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients:
- Bratwurst sausages (brat for short) – preferably good-quality, coarse brats.
- Onion – red onion is preferred, but any type will work, including shallots.
- Oil – vegetable or canola oil.
- Water, beer or stock – for cooking the sausages.
- Mustard – brown mustard is traditional, but yellow mustard also works.
- Bread – for serving the brats in a bun.
Optional Ingredients:
- Salt and pepper – for seasoning.
- Caraway seeds – for a slightly different flavor.
- Cheese – for a cheesy twist, try serving with macaroni and cheese.
- Pickled red onions – an unorthodox but delicious topping.
- Mayonnaise – spread on the bun for a tasty, crispy texture.
- Lettuce – adds a fresh crunch to your bratwurst sandwich.
- Jalapeños – for an extra kick of heat.
- Hot pepper flakes – another spicy addition.
Instructions:
- Start by poking a few holes in each bratwurst to allow steam to escape during cooking, so they don't burst.
- Heat a cast-iron skillet on medium heat and add a drizzle of oil.
- Place the bratwurst in the pan and cook for 3–5 minutes on each side until browned, turning frequently.
- Once browned, carefully add 1/2 cup of water, beer, or stock to the pan.
- Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Continue cooking for about 10 minutes, or until the bratwurst reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). The total cooking time will depend on the size of the sausages.
- Remove the bratwurst from the skillet and increase the heat to reduce the liquid, stirring frequently, until a sauce forms.
- Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper, if desired.
- Serve the bratwurst in a bun topped with the sauce, onions, and your choice of condiments. Enjoy!
Top Tips:
- If you're reheating leftover bratwurst, add a bit of extra beer or another liquid to the pan and stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- For a more authentic German experience, serve your bratwurst with German potato salad, mashed potatoes, or German noodle salad on the side.
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What to serve with brats
Bratwurst is a German sausage, usually made from pork or veal and seasoned with spices such as nutmeg, ginger, coriander, or caraway. It is traditionally served on a bun with toppings such as sauerkraut, mustard, and onions. Here are some ideas for what to serve with brats:
Classic German Sides
German potato salad, either hot or cold, is a popular choice to serve with brats. You could also make a dill potato salad, which is creamier and made with mayo and sour cream. If you're looking for something more refreshing, try a sweet and sour red cabbage slaw. Slice the cabbage super thin and toss it with your choice of vinaigrette, grated parmesan, thinly sliced red onion, and toasted pine nuts.
Salads
If you're looking for something lighter, there are plenty of salad options that go well with brats. You could make a spinach salad with strawberries and pine nuts, a green bean salad with Middle Eastern flavors such as fresh herbs, capers, and a lemon dressing, or a peach salad with basil vinaigrette. For a more tropical twist, try a mango salad with crunchy cabbage and a ginger-lime dressing. A simple carrot salad or a Frito corn salad are also great options.
Vegetables
Vegetables such as grilled asparagus, charred veggies, or mushrooms cooked over hot coals go well with brats. For something more substantial, try mashed potatoes or sweet potato fries. If you're looking for a keto option, brats with sauerkraut or keto peppers are a perfect choice.
Other Sides
Other sides that go well with brats include mac and cheese, sweet beans, coleslaw, and homemade mustard. If you're grilling, throw some extra vegetables and lemons on the grill to make a smoky salad dressing. Don't forget to serve your brats with a nice cold beer!
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How to cook brats in an air fryer
Cooking brats in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make them all year round. It's super fast and without all the mess of grilling or baking in the oven. You can cook them in less than 10 minutes and they taste just as good, if not better, than grilled brats.
First, preheat your air fryer to 350-380°F. If you're using frozen brats, you can cook them directly from frozen without defrosting, but you'll need to increase the cooking time by about 3 minutes. You can also let the bratwurst come to room temperature for faster and more even cooking.
Next, place the brats in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they're not touching each other, with some space around them for the hot air to circulate. Spray the basket with cooking spray or use disposable liners to prevent mess.
Cook the brats for 8-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure even cooking and browning. Check the internal temperature of the brats with a meat thermometer. They're done when they reach an internal temperature of 160-165°F.
Once they're cooked, carefully remove them from the air fryer and place them in rolls. You can then melt cheese on the brats by putting the cheese on the brats and rolls, and letting it sit in the hot air fryer for 1-2 minutes while it's turned off. Serve with your desired toppings and sides. Enjoy!
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to cook brats with cheese, including grilling, boiling, roasting, air-frying, and pan-frying. For the best flavour, try grilling your brats slowly over medium-low heat.
Preheat your oven to between 350ºF and 425ºF. Cover a rimmed baking sheet with aluminium foil and place the brats on the sheet, leaving at least 1” of space around each one. Bake for 8 minutes, then flip the brats and cook for another 6 minutes. Set the oven to high broil and cook for another 3 minutes. The brats are done when they reach an internal temperature of 160ºF.
Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium heat with a drizzle of canola oil. Poke a few holes in each brat to prevent them from bursting, then place them in the skillet. Once the brats are browned on each side, pour in water, beer, or stock, cover the skillet, and reduce the heat. Continue cooking until the brats reach an internal temperature of 160ºF.
Cook brats on the grill for about 20 minutes, using tongs to rotate the links often to ensure each side is evenly cooked. Check that they have reached an internal temperature of at least 160ºF before serving.
Brats and cheese can be served with sauerkraut, mustard, onions, German potato salad, sweet corn, or a pretzel. For a true German experience, serve your brats with Hengstenberg Bavarian Style Sauerkraut with Wine and a German beer.
