Best Bratwurst Recipes

HOMEMADE BRATWURST

Steps:

• Cut the pork and beef into 2 inch cubes.
• Grind through a 1/4 inch grinding plate.
• If you do not have a meat grinder you can pulse it in your food processor in SMALL batches.
• In a small mixing bowl beat eggs and beer together until well blended.
• Add dry ingredients.
• In a large mixing bow combine the ground meat and wet mixture until well incorporated.
• Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 2 hours, up to 24.
• The longer the better.
• At this point you can either stuff into casings or wrap in 1 pound packages which is what I do, then freeze.

BRATWURST WITH SAUERKRAUT AND POTATOES

Steps:

• Simmer the sauerkraut for 10 minutes in boiling salted water. Drain.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, soften the onions in the butter, browning lightly. Add the sauerkraut, wine, stock, sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper. Bring to boil, turn down, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, simmer the bratwurst in water to cover for 20 minutes.
• Add the potatoes to the sauerkraut in the skillet and cook, covered, for 15 to 20 minutes or until tender.
• While the potatoes are cooking, drain the bratwurst and brown lightly on all sides under a hot broiler.
• To serve, put the sauerkraut and potatoes on a heated platter and arrange the bratwurst over the top.

SLOW-COOKER GERMAN BRATWURST

Steps:

• In batches, in a large nonstick skillet, brown bratwursts over medium-high heat. Transfer to a 7-qt. slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients., Cook, covered, on low 6-8 hours or until a thermometer inserted in sausage reads at least 160°.

BRATWURST, SAUERKRAUT AND BEAN CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Cook bratwurst in a skillet over medium-high heat just until nicely browned on the outside.
• Spread sauerkraut in the bottom of a 9x11 casserole dish, leaving a 2 inch margin at the edges. Sprinkle celery salt and brown sugar over the sauerkraut. Place the sausages on top. Pour the beans around the outer edge of the sauerkraut. Cover the dish with a lid or aluminum foil.
• Bake for about 45 minutes in the preheated oven, until bratwurst links are cooked through.

BRATWURST SUPPER

Steps:

• For each of 2 foil packets, arrange a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 17x15 in.) on a flat surface. , Cut brats into thirds. Divide the brats, potatoes, carrots, onion and mushrooms evenly between the 2 double-layer foil rectangles. Dot with butter. Sprinkle with soup mix, soy sauce and pepper. Bring edges of foil together; crimp to seal, forming 2 large packets. Seal tightly; turn to coat., Grill, covered, over medium heat for 23-28 minutes on each side or until vegetables are tender and sausage is no longer pink. Open foil carefully to allow steam to escape.

BRATWURST AND SAUERKRAUT SKILLET

Steps:

• Brown sausages and onion slices in oil in a wide skillet. The sausages do not need to be cooked through at this stage, you just want to get some color on them.
• Add sauerkraut, sugar, and beer. Stir as best you can around the sausages.
• Bring to a slow boil, reduce heat, and simmer until sausages are cooked through.
• Spread buns or rolls with mustard, and add a sausage and a bit of the sauerkraut and onion to each.
• This is great accompanied by the same beer you cooked with.

GRILLED BRATWURST WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS

Steps:

• Combine the hard cider, 1 cup of the broth and the bratwurst in a large saucepan, bring to a simmer and gently simmer over low heat for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook until just tender, about 5 minutes. Add the remaining 1/2 cup broth and simmer until the onions are browned and completely soft, about 5 minutes more. Keep the onion mixture warm while you cook the bratwurst.
• Preheat a grill to medium-high heat or heat a grill pan over medium-high heat.
• Transfer the bratwurst to the grill or grill pan and cook, turning occasionally, until browned, about 10 minutes. Lightly grill the pretzel rolls, cut-side down. Serve the bratwurst topped with the onions and with the pretzel rolls and mustard on the side.

GERMAN BRATWURST

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove to paper towels (save for another use). Drain, reserving 4 tablespoons drippings. In the drippings, cook bratwurst for 10-15 minutes or until no longer pink. Remove and keep warm. Drain skillet. , In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and broth until smooth; set aside. Add the mustard, brown sugar, wine, vinegar and celery seed to skillet; cook and stir over medium heat until mixture is hot and bubbly., Gradually add cornstarch mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Return bratwurst to the pan; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes longer or until glazed.

BEER-BRAISED BRATWURST WITH CABBAGE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large high-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Add bratwurst and cook, turning, until browned on all sides. Add onion and cook, stirring, until softened. Add beer, cabbage, and tomatoes; season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook until cabbage is tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Garnish with parsley and serve with cornbread.

CREAMY BRATWURST STEW

Steps:

• Place first 5 ingredients in a 5-qt. slow cooker; toss to combine. Top with bratwurst. Mix broth and seasonings; pour over top., Cook, covered, on low 6-7 hours, until sausage is cooked through and vegetables are tender. Remove sausages from slow cooker; cut into 1-in. slices. Return sausages to potato mixture; stir in cream., Mix cornstarch and water until smooth; stir into stew. Cook, covered, on high until thickened, about 30 minutes.

BEER-SIMMERED BRATWURST WITH ONIONS AND RED CABBAGE SAUERKRAUT

Steps:

• Preheat the grill to high. Arrange the onion slices and garlic along the bottom of a medium stockpot. Place the bratwurst on top and then add the beer, water, coriander, caraway, mustard seeds, and ginger. Bring to a simmer over the grill grates or on a burner. Simmer the sausages in the mixture for about 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let the bratwurst sit in the liquid for 10 minutes.
• Remove the sausages with a pair of tongs onto a platter. Remove the onions with a slotted spoon and place in a bowl. Grill the sausages until the casings are crisp and golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Serve the bratwurst on the buns with the onions, mustard and sauerkraut, if desired. Garnish with pickles, pickled beets, and pickled eggs, if desired.
• Preheat grill to high. In a medium saucepan, combine the oil, vinegar, water, and sugar over medium heat, and cook until the sugar has melted. Add the mustard seeds, garlic, and cabbage, and cook until the cabbage is soft, about 15 to 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

BRATWURST-POTATO SKILLET DINNER

Steps:

• In a large heavy skillet heat the oil over medium heat.
• Cook the potatoes until they are lightly browned and crisp-tender, about 20 minutes turning occasionally.
• Add the bratwurst, onion, and red and yellow bell peppers.
• Stirring occasionally, cook until the vegetables are crisp-tender and heated through, 10-15 minutes.
• Combine the teriyaki sauce, orange juice, basil,and pepper in a small bowl.
• Stir the sauce mixture into the brats and vegetables, and heat through, about 5-10 minutes.
• We served this with Stone Ground Mustard on the side for dipping the brats.

GRILLED SEASONED BEER BRATWURST

Steps:

• Place bratwurst in a large saucepan; add the beer, onion and fennel. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until meat is no longer pink. Drain and discard beer mixture., Grill bratwurst, covered, over indirect medium heat for 7-8 minutes or until browned, turning occasionally. Serve on buns with toppings of your choice.

BRATWURST WITH APPLES, ONION, AND SAUERKRAUT

Steps:

• Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 400°F. Place caraway seeds and fennel seeds in small resealable plastic bag. Crush seeds with mallet. Add flour and pepper to bag; shake to blend. Spread sauerkraut over bottom of 13x9x2-inch glass or ceramic baking dish. Sprinkle 1/3 of flour mixture over. Arrange onion slices over; sprinkle with half of remaining flour mixture, then lightly with salt. Spread half of apple slices over, then sprinkle with remaining flour mixture. Place bratwurst over apples, then arrange remaining apple slices around bratwurst. Tuck in bay leaves. Mix broth, vermouth, and ketchup in measuring cup. Pour broth mixture evenly over. Cover tightly with foil.
• Roast bratwurst 45 minutes. Uncover; brush with melted butter. Roast uncovered until edges of apples and sausages begin to brown, about 25 minutes longer. Serve with bread.

BEER-BRAISED BRATWURST

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium high. Tear off a 20-inch-long piece of heavy-duty foil. Put the onion, garlic and bay leaf on the foil, piling them on one side; season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Dot with the butter and place the bratwurst on top. Fold the foil over the onions and bratwurst, then fold in the edges on two sides to seal, leaving one side open. Carefully pour the beer into the open side, then fold in the edge to seal.
• Place the foil packet on the grill onion-side down; cook 10 minutes, then carefully flip and continue grilling until the onion is softened and the bratwurst is warmed through, 10 more minutes. Meanwhile, grill the rolls until toasted.
• Carefully open the packet. Remove the bratwurst and grill, turning, until lightly charred all over, 3 to 5 minutes. Return to the packet to toss with the onion. Serve with the rolls, sauerkraut and mustard.

BRATWURST AND SAUERKRAUT CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. I put mine in the crockpot.
• Drain and rinse sauerkraut in a colander.
• Mix with all the ingredients in a bowl and pour into large casserole dish (or put in crockpot) Cover and bake for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours.
• Or let cook in crockpot on low for several hours until potatoes are tender. I usually add 1 can of water and mix well. Add more water accordingly throughout the day.
• I let mine cook all day on low.
• You can also try substituting the brown sugar with applesauce and apple chunks (1/2 cup each) for color and texture.
• I also use the Bavarian kraut--this gives this dish a sweeter flavor--even my kids like it.

BRATWURST

Steps:

• Place pork shoulder, hanger steak, and pork fat on a large plate in the freezer for 30 minutes. Place the meat grinder attachment in the freezer to make grinding easier.
• Cut pork shoulder, hanger steak, and pork fat into cubes. Pass through the cold meat grinder fitted with a medium plate.
• Combine ground meat mixture with beer, salt, garlic, red pepper flakes, pepper, caraway seeds, marjoram, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger in a large bowl. Mix with your hands until the mixture starts to congeal, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Cover mixture with plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour, or up to overnight.
• Soak hog casing in cold water for 30 minutes. Place the wide end of a sausage-stuffing funnel up against the kitchen faucet and run cold water through the inside of the casing.
• Thread the casing onto the funnel using the medium sausage-stuffing funnel attachment. Pass the pork mixture through the funnel, stopping as it starts to come out the other end. Tie the casing into a knot at the end. Pass remaining meat mixture through the funnel, supporting the sausage with your other hand. Tie the other end of the casing into a knot.
• Twist the casing at regular intervals to create individual links, alternating between clockwise and counterclockwise twists.
• Poke 2 or 3 small holes in each sausage with a metal skewer to allow air to escape during cooking.
• Heat a skillet over medium heat; cook bratwurst, turning occasionally, until cooked all the way through, 10 to 15 minutes.

HOMEMADE BRATWURST BITES WITH BEER AND HORSERADISH MUSTARD

Steps:

• Place pork sparerib cubes and pork fat in freezer until partially frozen, about 30 minutes. Place half of pork and half of pork fat in processor. Using on/off turns, blend mixture until finely ground. Transfer mixture to bowl. Repeat with remaining pork and pork fat. Gently mix sage and next 5 ingredients into ground pork mixture. Stir in 1/4 cup beer. Cover and chill overnight.
• Form pork mixture by tablespoonfuls into 1 1/4-to 1 1/2-inch-diameter patties; place on baking sheet. DO AHEAD: Can be made 6 hours ahead. Cover and chill.
• Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Working in batches if necessary, add sausage patties to skillet and cook until browned on bottom, about 5 minutes. Add remaining 1/2 cup beer to skillet; cover with lid slightly ajar and cook until beer evaporates, 6 to 7 minutes. Turn patties over and cook until brown on bottom and cooked through, about 5 minutes longer.
• Transfer sausage patties to platter. Serve with Beer and Horseradish Mustard and soft pretzels.

BRATWURST, POTATO AND CABBAGE SOUP

Steps:

• In a large skillet over medium high heat, saute the sausage for 10 minutes, or until browned and crumbled. Drain well and discard the fat.
• In a large pot over high heat, combine the browned sausage, potatoes, onion and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes. Add the cabbage, return to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for another 20 minutes. Add 2 1/2 cups of the milk and heat slowly to just under a boil. (Note: Don't try to do this too fast, or the milk will burn on the bottom of the pot.)
• In a separate small bowl, mix the flour with the remaining milk, and add to the pot slowly, stirring constantly, so that the flour does not clump. (Note: Make sure you get out all the lumps because they will not cook out on their own.)
• When the mixture in the pot thickens, add the cheese and stir off and on until the cheese has melted.

BACON WRAPPED BRATWURST

Steps:

• Poke bratwurst several times with a small fork, and place into a saucepan with the beer. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove the bratwurst from the beer, and allow to cool to room temperature.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, and place a wire rack on top.
• Toss the brown sugar and cayenne pepper together in a large bowl and set aside. Cut each bratwurst into three pieces, wrap each piece with half strip of bacon, and secure with a toothpick. Toss the bratwurst with the cayenne mixture to coat, then place onto the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in preheated oven until the bacon is brown and crisp, 25 to 35 minutes.