Don’t just toss them on the grill! Follow our bratwurst recipe to learn how to grill brats the right way, so they’re juicy on the inside and snappy on the outside.
Whether you’re tailgating or hosting a cookout, flavor-packed bratwursts are always a crowd-favorite. These mildly-spiced link sausages have been around a while, taking their name from the Old High German words for “meat without waste” (brät) and “sausage” (wurst). A traditional bratwurst sausage includes ground pork (or sometimes veal or beef) and spices like coriander, marjoram, nutmeg and pepper.
If you’re tossing your bratwurst straight onto the grill, though, you’re probably cooking them wrong. You’re not alone: Many people don’t know how to cook brats, and theirs end up with a charred exterior and undercooked interior. The secret to a perfectly cooked bratwurst is boiling it before grilling or searing! When you correctly grill brats, you’ll have sausages that are full of flavor, and that are crisp on the outside and perfectly cooked on the inside. Plus, you can use your brats in an endless amount of ways with these bratwurst recipes.
How to Cook Bratwurst
Before grilling bratwurst, parboil them on the stove or in a cast-iron skillet on the grill. This will help to cook the inside of the brats and ensure that they don’t burst open on the grill, releasing all of the flavorful juices. Place the brats in a skillet and add a cold liquid to cover them 3/4 of the way up. In this bratwurst recipe, you can use water, broth or beer for extra flavor. Slowly simmer the brats until an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into them reads an internal temperature of 150°F.
While the brats are parboiling, prepare your gas or charcoal grill for finishing. Once they’ve hit the recommended temperature, remove them from the cooking liquid and place them on the direct heat side of the grill. Give the brats a light sear on all sides, which should take just a few minutes.
Ingredients for Grilled Bratwurst
Bratwurst links: Stay away from precooked brats. Many of these contain added flavorings like liquid smoke to give the impression that they came straight off the grill, and you’ll achieve much better flavor by parboiling fresh brats and grilling them at home.
Cooking liquid: The bratwursts are parboiled in light beer, chicken broth or water before grilling.
Directions
Step 1: Parboil the brats
Place the brats in a skillet. Add beer, broth or water so it reaches 3/4 of the way up the brats.
Slowly simmer the brats over medium-low heat until a thermometer inserted into the center reads 150°.
Editor’s Tip: If you want to keep all of the mess outside, use a cast-iron skillet or aluminum pan on your grill. Place your pan on the indirect heat side of the grill to keep the liquid from boiling. Then, cover the grill to lock in the heat.
Step 2: Sear the brats
Preheat the grill to medium heat. Place the parcooked brats on the grill and cook them for two to three minutes per side, or until they’re lightly seared.
Editor’s Tip: Avoid poking holes in the brats as they grill. Poking holes in the casing of the brat will result in a release of a lot of the juices and flavors. You’ll also end up with overcooked meat because the juices have been released.
Bratwurst Variations
Add some onions: The rich, sweet flavor of caramelized onions will complement the savory flavor of bratwurst as a topping.
Serve with sauerkraut: The tangy flavor of sauerkraut is a classic pairing with this beer bratwurst recipe.
Load up on condiments: You can’t have a German bratwurst without slathering on some mustard, so use your favorite mustard brand. Horseradish and pickle relish are other tasty toppings. And, though not exactly traditional, ketchup is also a perfectly acceptable bratwurst topper.
How to Store Bratwurst
Store leftover bratwurst in an airtight container in the fridge. For longer storage, you can also freeze leftover cooked bratwurst in a freezer-safe container.
How long do grilled bratwurst last?
Cooked bratwurst stored in the fridge will last for up to four days. When stored in the freezer, bratwurst will last up to three months.
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