Patrick Oconnell
Johnsonville offers a variety of cheese brats, including Cheddar, Cheddar and Bacon, and Cheddar and Beer, all made with premium cuts of pork and a blend of herbs and spices. Before cooking, it is important to thaw the product. Johnsonville cheese brats can be cooked in an oven, on a grill, in a skillet, or in an air fryer. When cooking in the oven, preheat to 425°F and place the sausages on a shallow baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake for 19-21 minutes, turning the links once, until browned and the internal temperature reaches 160°F. For grilling, preheat the grill to medium-low and cook the sausages for 15-20 minutes, turning the links often. To cook on a stovetop, spray a skillet with cooking spray and cook the sausages over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes until browned, then reduce the heat to medium-low, add ½ cup of water, cover, and simmer for 12 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Premium cuts of pork |
| Cheese | Pasteurized process cheddar cheese from Wisconsin |
| Additional ingredients | Water, corn syrup, potato starch, natural flavourings, salt, dextrose, lemon juice powder, BHA, propyl gallate, citric acid, and more |
| Cooking method | Grill, stovetop, oven, or air fryer |
| Cooking time | Varies depending on the cooking method, typically 15-20 minutes on the grill, 5 minutes on the stovetop, 19-21 minutes in the oven, and 9-11 minutes in the air fryer |
| Cooking temperature | Grill and stovetop: medium-low heat; Oven and air fryer: 425°F and 390°F, respectively |
| Internal temperature | 160°F |
| Preparation | Thaw before cooking |
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What You'll Learn
Grill preparation and cooking
To prepare your grill for cooking Johnsonville Cheese Brats, start by thawing the product before cooking. Fire up the grill and cook the brats "low and slow". Preheat the grill to medium-low.
Once your grill is preheated, it's time to add the sausages. Place the Johnsonville Cheese Brats on the grill and cook them for 15 to 20 minutes. Make sure to turn the links often during cooking to ensure even browning. The sausages are ready when they are nicely browned on the outside and have an internal temperature of 160°F.
If you're using a charcoal grill, you'll need to preheat the grill by lighting the charcoal and letting it burn until it turns white. This usually takes about 15-20 minutes. Then, carefully spread the coals in an even layer to create a uniform cooking surface. Place the sausages on the grill and follow the same cooking instructions as above.
For a gas grill, preheat it by turning all the burners to medium-low and closing the lid. Wait for about 10 minutes or until the temperature stabilizes. Then, place the sausages on the grill grates and cook according to the instructions provided.
If you're using a pellet grill, preheat it to the desired temperature setting (in this case, medium-low). Place the sausages on the grill grates and follow the cooking instructions provided. Remember to keep an eye on the temperature gauge to ensure it stays within the desired range.
Keep in mind that grill temperatures can vary, so it's always a good idea to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the sausages. This will ensure that your Johnsonville Cheese Brats are cooked perfectly every time.
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Stovetop cooking
To cook Johnsonville Cheese Brats on a stovetop, you'll first need to thaw the product. Once thawed, spray a skillet with cooking spray and place it on your stovetop. Turn the stovetop on and set it to medium-high heat. Place the desired number of sausages in the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes, turning the links often, until browned. Make sure the internal temperature of the sausages reaches 160°F.
You can also boil the brats in beer for extra flavor. To do this, chop a large onion into big pieces and find a six-pack of beer. Place the onions and beer in a very large pot and bring to a boil. Make about a hundred knife pricks in each bratwurst, add them to the pot, and let them cook for about 15 minutes. You can also cook the onions in butter beforehand to bring out their sweetness.
Some people like to marinate the brats in the onions and beer for 12 hours before cooking. After boiling the brats, you can finish them off under the broiler.
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Oven cooking
To cook Johnsonville Cheddar Brats in the oven, you'll first need to thaw the product if it is frozen. Once thawed, preheat your oven to 425°F. Place the sausages on a shallow baking pan—make sure the pan is coated with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Bake the sausages for 19-21 minutes, turning the links once halfway through the cooking time. You'll know they're done when the sausages are browned and the internal temperature reaches 160°F. If you don't have a meat thermometer, you can cut into the sausage to check that it's no longer pink.
For an extra cheesy treat, try this "Brats in a Blanket" recipe. Start by grilling or pan-frying your Johnsonville Cheddar Brats until they're fully cooked. Allow the sausages to cool, then slice them into three pieces each. You'll also need some crescent dough, which you can slice into triangles. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat your oven to 350°F. Wrap each sausage slice and a chunk of cheese in a piece of dough, then place them on the baking sheet with at least 2 inches of space between each one. Bake for 11-12 minutes, or until the crescent dough is puffy and golden brown.
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Air fryer cooking
Cooking Johnsonville cheese brats in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious meal. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving perfectly cooked cheese brats:
Preparation:
Firstly, there is no need to preheat the air fryer, and you can skip the step of greasing the basket with cooking spray or butter as the brats will not stick. However, if your brats have a casing, you may choose to spray the basket lightly. For easier cleanup, you can use parchment paper liners designed for air fryers, which have holes to allow proper air circulation.
Cooking:
Arrange the uncooked brats in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not touch. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches. Set the temperature to between 365°F and 400°F. For a lower temperature setting, you may need to increase the cooking time.
Cook the brats for 10 to 15 minutes, until they are golden brown and have reached an internal temperature of 160°F. Flip the brats halfway through to ensure even browning and cooking. Some air fryers may not require flipping, so refer to your air fryer's instructions.
Serving:
Remove the cooked brats from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. You can serve them in hot dog buns or hoagie rolls with your favourite toppings, such as raw or marinated onions, mustard, sauerkraut, or ketchup. For a gluten-free option, skip the bun.
Customisation:
You can customise your cheese brats by adding toppings or melting cheese on top. Additionally, you can soak the brats in beer before air frying for added flavour, or serve them with a side dish such as potato salad, coleslaw, potato chips, or cooked sliced peppers and onions.
Tips:
If you are short on time, opt for pre-cooked brats, which only require a few minutes in the air fryer to warm up. You can also cook the brats from frozen, but ensure they reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F.
Now you have all the instructions you need to cook Johnsonville cheese brats in your air fryer and enjoy a tasty and convenient meal!
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Meat thermometer usage
To ensure your Johnsonville cheese brats are cooked to perfection, it is essential to use a meat thermometer. This tool will help you monitor the internal temperature of the sausages, ensuring they are cooked thoroughly without becoming overdone or dry. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use a meat thermometer when cooking Johnsonville cheese brats:
Step 1: Prepare the Meat Thermometer
Before you begin cooking, check that your meat thermometer is calibrated correctly. You can do this by inserting the thermometer into a glass of ice water. It should read 32°F (0°C). If it doesn't, adjust the calibration as per the manufacturer's instructions.
Step 2: Pre-Cooking
As per the instructions on the Johnsonville website, always thaw your cheese brats before cooking. This ensures even cooking throughout.
Step 3: Inserting the Thermometer
When cooking on a grill or in a skillet, insert the thermometer probe into the thickest part of the sausage, making sure not to touch any bones or the pan/grill. For oven-baked or air-fried sausages, insert the thermometer into the centre of the sausage.
Step 4: Monitoring Temperature
The target internal temperature for Johnsonville cheese brats is 160°F. Keep an eye on the thermometer as your sausages cook. Depending on your cooking method, adjust the heat or cooking time accordingly to reach this target temperature.
Step 5: Checking for Doneness
Once your sausages have reached an internal temperature of 160°F, they are done. However, it's important to let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicy and tender brat.
Step 6: Final Temperature Check
Before serving, insert the thermometer into the centre of a sausage again to ensure it has stayed at or above the target temperature. This is especially important if you are serving a large number of sausages and they have been sitting for a while.
Using a meat thermometer ensures that your Johnsonville cheese brats are cooked to perfection every time. By monitoring the internal temperature, you can avoid undercooking or overcooking, resulting in delicious, juicy sausages.
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Frequently asked questions
Preheat your grill to medium-low. Place the thawed sausages on the grill and cook for 15-20 minutes, turning the links often, until browned and the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
Preheat your oven to 425°F. Place the thawed sausages on a shallow baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake for 19-21 minutes, turning the links once, until browned and the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
Yes, spray a skillet with cooking spray and place it on medium-high heat. Cook the thawed sausages for about 5 minutes, turning the links often, until browned. Then reduce the heat to medium-low, add ½ cup of water to the skillet, cover, and simmer for 12 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
Preheat your air fryer to 390°F. Place the thawed sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 9-11 minutes, turning once, until browned and the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
