Homemade German Bratwurst

User Reviews

5.0

183 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    2 hrs

  • Total Time

    2 hrs

  • Servings

    10 bratwursts

  • Calories

    421 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    German

Homemade German Bratwurst

Enjoy the authentic taste of Germany through these delicious Bratwursts! Make a double batch, freeze them, and you can conveniently grab and grill a bratwurst any time the craving hits you!

I Made This!

137 people made this

Save this

109 people saved this

Ingredients

Servings
  • 2 1/2 pounds boneless pork shoulder (can substitute part veal if desired) , cut into 1/2 inch pieces and put in freezer for 45 minutes prior to grinding
  • 12 ounces pork back fat , cut into 1/2 inch chunks and put in freezer for 45 minutes prior to grinding
  • 2 cups crushed ice
  • For the Spice Mixture:
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons salt
  • 1/4 cup dried milk powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Freshly ground white pepper
  • 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground mace (can substitute nutmeg but strongly recommend mace for traditional German flavor)
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
  • 3/4 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed caraway seeds
  • 32mm natural hog casing , about 4 feet
Add to Shopping List

Instructions

  1. Combine the pork, fat and crushed ice in a bowl and then, working quickly, use a meat grinder to grind the mixture through a 1/4 inch (6mm) die.  Preferably grind the meat mixture into a bowl set atop an ice bath to keep the meat cold.  Grind half of the ground mixture a second time.  Note: It is imperative that the meat be at a constant cold temperature so that the fat doesn't get too soft.  You should be able to see clear definition between the lean meat the specks of fat in the ground mixture.Chill the meat in the refrigerator while you assemble the spice mixture.
  2. In a small bowl combine all the spices.Remove the ground meat from the fridge and place it on the stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.  Add the spice mix and dry milk powder.Mix the meat mixture with the paddle for 3-4 minutes until threads begin to appear in the meat: If you take a clump of meat and pull it apart with your fingers you will see tiny threads pulling apart.  When you see this your meat is ready.  *If the meat mixture is too dry and stiff, add a little ice water.  You want a soft/smooth mixture that will easily go into the casings.*This is also the time to taste your sausage mixture so you can adjust the seasonings if needed.  To do this, take a bit of the meat mixture, fry it up in a pan, taste it and adjust the seasonings if needed.Place the meat mixture back in the refrigerator while you prepare the casings.
  3. Thread your sausage stuffer with the prepared hog casings, fill the sausage stuffer with the meat mixture, and stuff the casings being careful to avoid air gaps while also being careful to not over-stuff the casings.Twist the sausages into links.  Use a sausage pricker to prick any air bubbles out of the links.For best results chill the sausages overnight.
  4. To prepare the bratwursts, you can gently poach them in lightly salted water (place sausages in pot of water, gradually bring liquid to a light simmer/do NOT boil, and poach sausages until partially cooked, 3-4 minutes) and then fry or grill them.  Poaching is optional if you want to ensure they're evenly cooked in the middle or if you want to infuse them with more flavor, such as poaching them in beer. Once poached they will keep in the fridge, tightly wrapped, for up to a week.You can either freeze the Bratwursts raw prior to poaching (then thaw, poach, fry/grill) or freeze them once they're poached.This yields roughly 10 bratwursts depending on the size and diameter.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Serving 1bratwurst Calories 421kcal (21%) Carbohydrates 2g (1%) Protein 28g (56%) Fat 34g (52%) Saturated Fat 12g (60%) Cholesterol 88mg (29%) Sodium 993mg (41%) Potassium 508mg (15%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin A 75IU (2%) Vitamin C 0.2mg (0%) Calcium 50mg (5%) Iron 1.2mg (7%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 10bratwursts

Amount Per Serving

Calories 421 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving 1bratwurst
Calories 421kcal 21%
Carbohydrates 2g 1%
Protein 28g 56%
Fat 34g 52%
Saturated Fat 12g 60%
Cholesterol 88mg 29%
Sodium 993mg 41%
Potassium 508mg 11%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 2g 4%
Vitamin A 75IU 2%
Vitamin C 0.2mg 0%
Calcium 50mg 5%
Iron 1.2mg 7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Genuine Reviews

User Reviews

Overall Rating

5.0

183 reviews
Excellent

Write a Review

Drag & drop files here or click to upload
Other Recipes

You'll Also Love

Bratwurst and Sauerkraut

German
5.0 (147 reviews)

Venison Bratwurst

German, American
5.0 (105 reviews)

Bratwurst with Mushroom Gravy

German
5.0 (15 reviews)

Grilled Bratwurst Recipe

German
5.0 (3 reviews)

Get the Recipe: Bratwurst Recipe

German
5.0 (21 reviews)

Ale-Braised Bratwurst and Sauerkraut

German
4.9 (36 reviews)

Air Fryer Bratwurst

German, American
0.0 (0 reviews)

Beer Braised Bratwurst and Onions

German
4.3 (9 reviews)

Bratwurst In Beer With Onions

German
4.8 (309 reviews)

Schupfnudeln, German potato noodles

German
5.0 (3 reviews)

Schweinebraten - German pork roast

German
5.0 (27 reviews)

German Venison Goulash

German
0.0 (0 reviews)

German Potato Salad with Mayonnaise

German
0.0 (0 reviews)