10+ Bratwurst Recipes to Spice Up Your Grill Night

Bratwurst recipes are a delicious way to enjoy a sausage that’s always a crowd favorite. Whether you like your brats grilled, simmered, or cooked with onions and beer, you’ve got plenty of options to bring out those bold, rich flavors.

You can make bratwurst meals that fit your taste and the mood, using simple ingredients and easy steps. These recipes work for quick dinners or casual gatherings—good food just brings folks together.

Ingredients

• Bratwurst sausages
• Onions
• Beer (optional, light beer works well)
• Rolls or buns
• Mustard
• Sauerkraut or pickled vegetables

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your grill or stove to medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
2. If you want, simmer bratwurst in beer with sliced onions for 10-15 minutes.
3. Grill or pan-fry bratwurst until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Serve bratwurst in rolls with mustard and sauerkraut or your favorite toppings.

1) Classic Beer-Braised Bratwurst with Onions

Start by simmering bratwurst in beer with sliced onions. This lets the sausages soak up a mellow, malty flavor while the onions get soft and sweet.

Use a lager or ale for the best result. After simmering, grill the bratwurst until they turn a lovely brown.

That bit of crispness on the outside with a juicy inside? So good. Serve them in rolls with mustard and sauerkraut.

Ingredients

• 4 bratwurst sausages
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 12 oz (355 ml) beer (lager or ale)
• 4 rolls or buns
• Mustard and sauerkraut, for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Place bratwurst and onions in a pan.
2. Pour beer over bratwurst until mostly covered.
3. Simmer on medium heat for 15-20 minutes.
4. Remove bratwurst and grill over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes, turning often.
5. Toast rolls if you’re into it.
6. Serve bratwurst on rolls with mustard and sauerkraut.

2) Grilled Bratwurst with Sauerkraut and Mustard

Grilling bratwurst gives them a smoky flavor and a snappy bite. Just cook them right on the grill until they’re browned and cooked through.

While the brats cook, warm sauerkraut in a pan with a splash of beer and some onions. Serve the bratwurst on a bun or plate, topped with sauerkraut.

Add whole grain mustard for a little kick. The sauerkraut gives a sour crunch that balances out the rich sausage.

Beer adds extra flavor to both bratwurst and sauerkraut if you use it.

Ingredients

• 4 bratwurst sausages
• 1 cup sauerkraut with juices
• 12 ounces (350ml) beer
• 3 tablespoons whole grain mustard
• 1 small onion, sliced

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat grill to medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
2. Grill bratwurst for 15-20 minutes, turning often.
3. Heat a pan over medium heat, add onions, and cook until soft.
4. Add sauerkraut and beer; simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Serve bratwurst with warm sauerkraut and mustard.

3) Homemade Bratwurst Using Pork and Beef

Making your own bratwurst with pork and beef is honestly pretty satisfying. Mixing the two meats gives you a sausage with depth and a good bite.

Grind pork shoulder and beef chuck together until well blended. Spices like salt, white pepper, mustard powder, and a pinch of nutmeg make a big difference.

Add some crushed ice to keep everything cold while grinding. This keeps the texture just right.

Once mixed, stuff the sausage into casings and chill before cooking. Grill, pan-fry, or simmer in beer and onions for more flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds pork shoulder
• 2 pounds beef chuck
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp white pepper
• 1/2 tsp mustard powder
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• Crushed ice (about 1/2 cup)
• Sausage casings

Cooking Instructions

1. Grind pork and beef with crushed ice.
2. Mix in spices.
3. Stuff mixture into sausage casings.
4. Chill sausages for at least 2 hours.
5. Cook on grill or pan at medium heat (about 350°F/175°C) until cooked through.
6. If you want, simmer in beer and onions before grilling.

4) One-Skillet Brats with Caramelized Onions

You can cook bratwurst and onions all together in one skillet. Heat some butter in a big pan over medium.

Add sliced onions and cook them slowly until golden and soft. It usually takes about 15 minutes.

Add bratwurst to the skillet. Poke a few holes in the brats so they don’t burst.

Brown them on all sides, then cover and let them cook through for about 10 minutes. You get juicy bratwurst with sweet, tender onions.

It’s fast, easy, and just right for a busy weeknight or game day.

Ingredients

• 4 bratwurst sausages
• 2 large onions, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons butter

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat butter in a skillet over medium (350°F / 175°C).
2. Add onions and cook until caramelized, about 15 minutes.
3. Poke holes in bratwurst, add to skillet.
4. Brown brats on all sides, about 5 minutes.
5. Cover and cook for 10 more minutes, until cooked through.

5) Bratwurst and Sauerkraut Stew with Apples

Start by browning bratwurst in a pan to get some color. Add sauerkraut, sliced apples, and onions.

Pour in apple juice or broth for a flavorful base. Let the stew simmer on low for about 15-20 minutes so everything comes together.

The apples bring a gentle sweetness that works surprisingly well with the tangy sauerkraut.

Ingredients

• 4 German bratwurst sausages
• 4 cups sauerkraut, rinsed and drained
• 2 apples, sliced
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 1 cup apple juice or broth
• 1 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown bratwurst in a pan over medium heat.
2. Remove sausages, add onions and apples to the pan. Cook until soft.
3. Add sauerkraut, apple juice, and caraway seeds. Stir.
4. Nestle bratwurst back in.
5. Cover and simmer on low for 15-20 minutes.
6. Season with salt and pepper.

For more details, check this bratwurst and sauerkraut recipe with apples.

6) Bratwurst Lentil Stew for Hearty Meals

Bratwurst lentil stew is hearty and just right when you want something warm and filling. Lentils soak up the bratwurst and veggie flavors, so every bite feels satisfying.

Start by browning bratwurst, then add lentils and chopped veggies like carrots, onions, and leeks. Let it all simmer, and the stew thickens as the flavors blend.

This stew is great for meal prep. You can make it in a slow cooker or on the stove.

It’s easy to tweak the seasoning to your liking.

Ingredients

• 3 fresh bratwurst links
• 1 cup lentils, rinsed
• 1 large leek, chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cups water or broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown bratwurst in a large pot, set aside.
2. Add onions, leeks, and carrots; sauté until soft.
3. Stir in lentils and water or broth.
4. Slice bratwurst and add back to the pot.
5. Simmer on low for 45 minutes, until lentils are tender.
6. Season with salt and pepper.

For more details, check out this bratwurst lentil soup recipe.

7) Bratwurst Breakfast Hash with Potatoes and Veggies

Bratwurst breakfast hash is a fantastic way to kick off your morning. You cook bratwurst, potatoes, and veggies all in one pan.

The flavors mix together, and you get a dish that’s both tasty and filling. Add peppers, onions, maybe even some greens if you feel like it.

Just cook until the potatoes get crispy. Serve with eggs for a full-on breakfast.

This hash works for brunch or whenever you want a hearty meal.

Ingredients

• 4 bratwurst links, casings removed
• 1 medium green pepper, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 package (20 ounces) refrigerated diced potatoes
• 2 tablespoons oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium (350°F / 175°C).
2. Cook bratwurst until browned and cooked through. Remove and slice.
3. In the same pan, cook potatoes, peppers, and onions until potatoes are crispy.
4. Return bratwurst to the pan and stir. Cook for 2 more minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

8) Beer and Onion Simmered Bratwurst

Start by tossing bratwurst into a big pan with a pile of sliced onions and your favorite beer. The beer really does most of the work here, keeping the sausages juicy and letting that onion flavor sneak in.

Pick a beer you actually like to drink—seriously, it matters. After simmering the brats until they’re cooked through, throw them on a hot grill or skillet for a few minutes.

Let them get a bit browned and crispy on the outside. That little bit of char just makes them so much better.

Pop the bratwurst into buns and pile on mustard, sauerkraut, or whatever toppings you’re craving.

Ingredients

• 8 bratwurst links
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 2 cups beer (lager or ale works well)

Cooking Instructions

1. Put bratwurst and sliced onions in a large pan.
2. Pour in beer until it covers the brats about halfway.
3. Bring everything to a simmer over medium heat.
4. Let it simmer gently for 20 minutes or so, until the bratwurst are cooked through.
5. Move the brats to a grill or skillet on medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, turning them until they get a nice brown color.

9) Bratwurst Nachos with Cheese and Jalapeños

Want nachos with a twist? Slice up some cooked bratwurst and scatter it over a layer of crunchy tortilla chips.

Shake on a generous amount of shredded cheese. Add sliced jalapeños for some heat—don’t be shy unless you’re not into spice.

Maybe toss on some diced tomatoes or whatever else sounds good. Pop the whole tray under the broiler.

Let it go for just a couple minutes at 400°F (200°C), until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep an eye on it—nobody likes burnt nachos.

These are killer for game day or just when you want something salty and cheesy, but a little different.

Ingredients

• 4 cooked bratwurst, sliced
• 6 cups tortilla chips
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons sliced jalapeños
• ¼ cup diced tomatoes (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Set your oven broiler to 400°F (200°C).
2. Spread tortilla chips on a baking sheet.
3. Scatter the sliced bratwurst over the chips.
4. Sprinkle cheese on top.
5. Add jalapeños and tomatoes if you want.
6. Broil for 2-3 minutes, just until the cheese melts.
7. Take the tray out carefully and serve while it’s hot.

If you’re curious about more ideas for bratwurst nachos with cheese and jalapeños, check here.

10) Bratwurst Pizza with Onions and Peppers

Bratwurst with sweet onions and colorful peppers on a crispy pizza crust? That’s a combo I didn’t know I needed.

Cook the bratwurst with onions and peppers until everything softens up and smells amazing. This topping totally shakes up your usual pizza night.

Grab two cheeses—mozzarella and cheddar work great. Want to get wild? Try a beer-infused sauce, or just stick with your favorite pizza sauce.

Ingredients:

• Bratwurst sausages
• Onions
• Green and red bell peppers
• Pizza dough
• Mozzarella cheese
• Cheddar cheese
• Pizza sauce or beer-infused sauce

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Slice up the bratwurst and toss it in a skillet with sliced onions and peppers. Cook until they’re tender.
3. Roll out the pizza dough on a baking sheet.
4. Spread your sauce over the dough.
5. Pile on those cooked bratwurst slices, onions, and peppers.
6. Sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar on top.
7. Bake for 12–15 minutes, just until the crust turns golden and the cheese melts.