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Beer Braised Brats and Sauerkraut

In this post I am sharing how to make Beer Braised Brats and Sauerkraut.

 


Everybody loves a delicious grilled bratwurst now and again, right? We sure do on occasion and my personal favorite is having brats with sauerkraut

Homemade sauerkraut is even better if you have it on hand. Sauerkraut is so easy to make at home and healthy for you. You only need three things (really just two) to make sauerkraut: cabbage, kosher salt and possibly a little bit of purified water. 

Making your own sauerkraut does require some advance planning since it needs to hang out and ferment for a few weeks. If you love sauerkraut though, it is well worth the wait.

If sauerkraut is really just not your thing, no worries, you can enjoy bratwurst a variety of ways. Brats are delicious on a bun with mustard, with pickle relish, or with peppers and onions too.

Braising the bratwurst in beer adds an extra layer of flavor. Again, if beer is just something you don’t do, no worries, braise in water or chicken stock.

Braising the brats before grilling ensures doneness and the grilling adds that nice layer of crispness to the skin.

How to Cook Bratwurst

how to braise bratwurst in beer

The majority of the time we eat bratwurst on a bun like a hot dog. So if you’re wondering what to serve with bratwurst, just serve sides that you would when grilling hot dogs or burgers. 

Chips, coleslaw, potato salad or baked beans are always delicious options. 

To braise the brats, just bring your braising liquid to a simmer (in this case it is beer) and then add your bratwurst to the pot. Allow them to simmer in the beer for five minutes. 

While the brats braise, it’s a good time to heat up the grill. A medium flame will do nicely. 

When ready, add the bratwurst to the grill and cook turning occasionally to crispy the skin and add some nice grill marks, three to four minutes per side, or until desired crispness.

Grilled Brats and Sauerkraut

Beer Brats and sauerkraut with potato chips

Assemble your grilled brats on a hot dog bun with sauerkraut and course grain mustard, if desired. So delicious!

Do you heat sauerkraut for brats? It depends on personal preference whether you heat your sauerkraut or not. The sauerkraut may be served with bratwurst chilled or gently heated.

How to keep bratwurst warm when cooking for a crowd? If you’re serving bratwurst for a crowd, keep them warm by placing the grilled brats in a heated slow cooker with a little bit of water or stock in the bottom to keep them warm. 

Beer Brats Grill

Best Bratwurst recipes - beer brats and sauerkraut

If preferred, bratwurst can be cooked in a skillet. You can skip the braising for this method and heat in a skillet over medium low heat for 20 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides.

Grilled Bratwurst with Beer, Mustard and Sauerkraut Recipe

Incredible bratwurst recipe

Beer Braised Brats and Sauerkraut

Yield: 5 Bratwurst

Beer Braised Brats and Sauerkraut

Amazing Beer Braised Bratwurst grilled and on a bun with homemade sauerkraut and course grain mustard

Delicious bratwurst braised in flavorful beer then grilled to perfection and served on a bun with sauerkraut and grainy mustard.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 5 Bratwurst
  • 12 oz Beer
  • 1 c Sauerkraut
  • Course Grain Mustard
  • Hot Dog Buns

Instructions

  1. Add the beer to a pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
  2. Heat the grill so it's hot while braising.
  3. Next, add the bratwurst and allow to simmer for five minutes.
  4. Next, add the bratwurst to the hot grill and cook over medium heat until desired skin crispness and nice grill marks are formed.
  5. Serve hot on a hot dog bun with sauerkraut and mustard, if desired.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

5

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 343Total Fat: 25gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 63mgSodium: 784mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 13g

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Beer Braised Brats and Sauerkraut

Meet Julia

Author of Julia's Simply Southern

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Barbara Miller

Friday 6th of August 2021

My beer of choice for braising Brats, after yrs of testing what seems like every beer on the planet, is Guinness Stout. My mercy you won't believe the flavor. Ty for your recipe. I love the addition kraut and the grain mustard.

Julia Jordan

Saturday 7th of August 2021

Barbara, I'll have to try the brats with Guinness next time. Enjoy your weekend! ~Julia

Carlee

Tuesday 26th of March 2019

I really need to try making kraut sometime. My grandma remembers her grandparents making it. Of course these brats will be on the menu when I do!

Julia Jordan

Tuesday 26th of March 2019

Carlee, Homemade sauerkraut is the easiest to make and so much better than store bought...in my opinion anyways ;) Let me know when you try it. I'd love to hear what you thing.

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