How To Grill Bratwurst

How To Grill Bratwurst isn’t hard to do. This is one of the best ways to ensure you have perfect brats every time. Juicy brats with a nice sear are always crowd-pleasers, served with a bun and some of your favorite toppings and BBQ side dishes. Plus, it makes an easy weeknight dinner in the summer.

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If you have younger, this is the perfect way to get the kids grilling with you. I use longer tongs with the kids and let them leave the grill marks when the bratwurst is moved down onto the grill grates from the top rack. Since you are cooking at a lower temperature, there is less chance of overcooking the brats while talking thru grill safety.

GRILLED BRATWURST INGREDIENTS:

• Bratwurst– You can use jalapeno bratwurst, cheddar bratwurst, and even beyond meat Bratwurst for this recipe.
• Yellow Onion– I used this because it is a sweeter onion for the kids, but red onions would also work well in this.
• Chicken Broth– You can use apple juice or beer instead of chicken or beef broth.

What is Bratwurst?

A bratwurst is a German sausage, generally made of pork, beef, or veal, but most commonly found as pork. Brat in German means finely chopped meat. They can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

If explaining to kids what a Bratwurst is, it makes bratwurst sausage, or as one of my kids called it, a giant hot dog, like what you ballpark stadium hot dogs. It is also a popular street food outside of some stadiums as well.

Where To Buy Bratwurst

You can buy Bratwurst at local butchers, local grocery stores, and even on Amazon. I am eying the Flat Tire Bratwurst as the next one to try at my house.

Types Of Brats

I hadn’t paid much attention, but when I asked the old lady to pick up bratwurst at the store, I got a call asking what type. I must not pay much attention because I never looked as close as she did.

• Cheddar Bratwurst
• Jalapeno Bratwurst
• Beer Bratwurst
• Smoked Bratwurst
• Vegetarian Bratwurst
• Polish Bratwurst
• Italian Bratwurst
• All-Beef Bratwurst
• Mushroom and Swiss Bratwurst
• Chicken Bratwurst

HOW TO GRILL BRATWURST

Fire your grill up on low and allow it to warm up. You can make this on a gas grill, a charcoal grill, or a pellet grill. In a pinch, I have even made them in an air fryer.

Once your grill is warmed up, place the raw brats in the hot grill on the top rack while keeping the grill at medium-low heat.

You will want to cook these over indirect heat; cooking this way is the best way because it keeps the delicious juices inside of the bratwurst drying out.

While cooking the bratwurst on the grill, cut the onion into large chunks. I like to use a yellow or white onion with this recipe.

Place a saute pan with a lid on a burner and fill it with chicken broth and onions. I love how much flavor these simple ingredients enhance the flavor of the bratwurst.

This is where it comes down to personal preference. You can make this with apple cider, apple juice, or in a beer bath to add extra flavor.

Bring the pan to a boil on the stovetop. You can also do this in a cast iron skillet or dutch oven.

Keep an eye on how your Bratwursts are doing, and move to the lower part of your grill to add grill marks. 

The grilling time with these isn’t very long as they cook more in the broth and onion.

Once you have grill marks on both sides, carry them into the house and add to your pan with the broth mixture.

Allow to simmer for 20-30 minutes to cook in the flavor; we allowed ours to simmer while we made up some Oven Roasted Garlic Potatoes to go with the Bratwurst.  You can cover it with a lid if you want.

Bratwurst is fully cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees using a meat thermometer.

Serve up and enjoy! – Washing down a Bratwurst with a cold german beer is the perfect end of a summer work day or any summer day; my favorite is Spaten. You can also find German beer as a non-alcoholic beer aka na beer.

What is your favorite way to serve up Bratwurst?

How to store cooked Bratwurst

Store in an airtight container or zip-loc bag in the fridge for up to three days. Store uncooked brats leftover in a separate bag or container, and cook them within two days of opening them.

How To Reheat Cooked Bratwurst

By far, the easiest way to reheat a grilled bratwurst is in the microwave; it will take less than a minute. You can also throw it in a preheated oven for a few minutes or on the grill.

What to serve on Grilled Bratwurst

Your favorite condiments are what go onto the bratwurst.

• Mustard- You can use classic mustard. I am partial to Dijon mustard, but german mustard is a good option.
• Ketchup
• Grilled Onions- I also have used the onions from the broth in this recipe to serve on top of my bratwurst.
• Peppers- These are good grilled up with onions to put on the brat.
• Relish-
• Cheese

What Bread To Serve With Grilled Bratwurst:

You need a bun with some strength to it. While there is no official brat bun, you can grab Hoagie Rolls to serve this up with. A hot dog bun will not be the best option as it will not hold the bratwurst well or the toppings.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH GRILLED BRATWURST:

German Potato Salad, Cesar Salad, Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes, Coleslaw

Smoked Side Dishes: Smoked Baked Potatoes, Smoked Baked Potatoes, Smoked Loaded Cheesy Potatoes, Smoked Loaded Baked Beans, Creamy Smoked Macaroni And Cheese, Smoked Loaded Cheesy Potatoes

Grilled Side Dishes: Cheesy Grilled Asparagus, Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms, Grilled Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes, Grilled Corn On The Cob, Grilled Zucchini, Grilled Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

Desserts: How To Smoke A Pie, Coca-Cola Chocolate Cake, Crescent Roll Peach Dumplings

Amazing Grilling Recipes to Check out

Using your grill to make dinner is perfect for any weeknight dinner or weekend cookout! Easy Grilling Recipes are my go-to; some of my family’s favorites are below. (see my collection -> here)

• Grilled Side Dish Recipes
• Easy Grilled Chicken Thighs
• How to Grill Chicken Breasts
• Chicken Teriyaki Kabobs
• Grilled Corn on the Cob
• Grilled Pork Steaks