Love sausage? Then you may already be familiar with bratwurst, a German sausage that is popular in many parts of the United States and beyond. It is a tasty alternative to hot dogs and can also be enjoyed as a complete meal without a bun. Keep reading to learn exactly what bratwurst is, how to cook it, and how to make delicious recipes that pair it with beer and other classic, as well as some unexpected, ingredients.
What Is Bratwurst?
Bratwurst is a mildly seasoned German-style link sausage that is usually made from pork, although veal and beef are sometimes used as well.
There are many regional varieties of bratwurst, but common herbs and spices include marjoram, coriander, nutmeg, and pepper. These ingredients give the sausage its unique flavor. In Germany, bratwurst is usually sold fresh and uncooked, then grilled and served on hard rolls with sauerkraut. German immigrants brought “brats” to the American Midwest, where they became a popular food and remain a favorite in many other parts of the United States. Midwestern brats may be smoked or boiled in beer and are often served in soft hot dog buns with mustard and other toppings. They can also be enjoyed as a filling meal with a fork and knife, along with a variety of side dishes.
What Is Bratwurst Made Of?
Pork is the most common meat used to make bratwurst, but some varieties are made with veal, beef, or a combination of different meats. The meat is minced, and pork fat is added to help keep the sausages moist and juicy. Bratwurst can contain different combinations of herbs and spices. Marjoram and pepper are common choices, along with coriander, nutmeg, caraway, ginger, and sometimes lemon peel and small amounts of garlic. Depending on the recipe, the flavors can be mild or strong. The meat mixture is placed inside natural or artificial casings to form firm links that are usually a little thicker than hot dogs. Bratwurst is generally sold fresh, but precooked and occasionally smoked versions are also available.
What’s the Difference Between Bratwurst and Knockwurst?
Bratwurst and knockwurst are both German-style sausages that are commonly made with pork, although beef and veal can also be used. However, knockwurst usually have a stronger flavor than bratwurst because they contain more powerful seasonings, such as garlic and pepper. Paprika is also commonly added to knockwurst, giving the sausages their slightly orange color.
How to Cook Bratwurst
Bratwurst can be cooked in many of the same ways as other fresh sausages. You can grill it, pan-fry it, or boil it. Cooking bratwurst in beer is also a popular method, especially in the Midwest. You can find two classic bratwurst-in-beer recipes below.
No matter which cooking method you choose, make sure the bratwurst is fully cooked before serving. The internal temperature should reach 160 degrees F when checked with an instant-read thermometer. You can also cut into a sausage with the tip of a paring knife to check the inside. The meat should no longer look raw or dark pink. Instead, it should be moist, juicy, and very light pink. Here are the details for three popular ways to cook bratwurst.
How to Grill Bratwurst
To grill bratwurst, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the sausages on the grill grate and cook them for about 10 minutes, turning them often until they are nicely browned and fully cooked. If the outside becomes too brown before the inside is done, move the sausages to a cooler area of the grill to finish cooking.
Another option is to parboil the bratwurst before grilling it, as explained in the section below on how to boil bratwurst. This helps cook the inside first, allowing you to focus on browning the outside without burning or charring the skin.
How to Pan-Fry Bratwurst
Place a heavy skillet over medium-high heat and let it become very hot. Add a small amount of oil, followed by the bratwurst. Cook the sausages for 10 to 12 minutes, turning them frequently so they brown evenly and cook all the way through. If they start browning too quickly, reduce the heat and continue cooking until they are done.
How to Boil Bratwurst
Fill a pot with a few inches of water and bring it to a boil. Add the bratwurst, making sure the sausages are covered by at least 1 inch of water. Boil them for about 10 minutes or until they are fully cooked. You can serve boiled bratwurst as it is or brown the outside on a grill or in a hot pan for extra flavor and texture. Boiling bratwurst in beer is another popular option. Check out two of our favorite beer-based recipes below.
What to Serve With Bratwurst
Bratwurst can be served in buns just like hot dogs and topped with hot dog–style condiments, including mustard, onions, relish, sauerkraut, and sometimes even cheese. You can also serve it as a fork-and-knife meal with a variety of side dishes. Popular choices include caramelized onions, sauerkraut, sautéed cabbage, potato salad, mashed potatoes, and corn on the cob.
Beer is the drink most commonly associated with bratwurst, but German Riesling and Austrian Gruner Veltliner are also excellent choices. Their flavors pair well with the mild taste of these sausages.
Bratwurst Recipes: Beer and Beyond
These tasty brats are first boiled in beer with spices and then grilled until their outsides are browned and caramelized. You can add toppings such as sweet-and-sour onions, pepper relish, or smoky beer cheese. If you prefer something simple, a flavorful mustard is also a great choice.
The brats in this easy recipe offer the best of both cooking methods. First, they are steamed in foil with beer and onions. Then, they are placed directly on the grill grates to develop a delicious brown color and smoky flavor. The onions are tucked into the buns alongside the sausages, and everything is finished with your favorite condiments.
Red-skin potatoes, apples, and sage are quickly sautéed to make a tasty hash that pairs well with sauerkraut and a creamy mustard sauce. Together, these ingredients create a hearty bratwurst meal. The recipe uses precooked bratwurst, which is browned in butter. If you have fresh bratwurst instead, you can parboil the sausages in boiling water or beer before browning them.
Crispy Yukon gold potato cakes make a delicious side dish for pan-seared bratwurst. A simple sauce made with whole-grain mustard and sour cream adds extra flavor and tastes great with both the sausages and the potato cakes.
Bratwurst and baby kale? Absolutely! Kale belongs to the same plant family as cabbage, which is a classic side dish for bratwurst, so this combination makes more sense than you might think. Sweet, golden-brown onions and buttered buns complete the dish.