Wisconsin Beer Brats

User Reviews

5

225 reviews
Excellent
  • Cook Time

    30 mins

  • Total Time

    30 mins

  • Servings

    10 servings

  • Calories

    423 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    American

Wisconsin Beer Brats

Wisconsin Beer Brats are simmered bratwurst cooked with sliced onions in beer to infuse flavor and then grilled to develop a browned exterior. This method produces juicy, flavorful brats served in buns and topped with condiments like ketchup, mustard, and sauerkraut, delivering a classic Midwestern-style sausage sandwich experience.

Description

This recipe features raw bratwurst simmered slowly with beer and sliced onions until cooked through, allowing the sausages to soak up the beer and onion flavors. The brats are then finished on a preheated grill over medium heat to brown and crisp the skin while retaining juiciness inside. The beer choice is flexible, with pilsners and lagers traditional but porters or stouts also suitable for robust notes.

Flavorful boiled brats turned golden on the grill create a contrast between the tender interior and slightly firm, grilled exterior. The sliced onions add sweetness during simmering, complementing the savory sausage. Serving these in buns with ketchup, mustard, and tangy sauerkraut completes the dish into a satisfying meal.

These brats make a hearty main course ideal for backyard cookouts or casual dinners. The recipe yields ten sausages, suitable for a group. Leftover cooked brats can be refrigerated tightly sealed for up to four days, making them easy to store and reheat as needed.

Choosing quality raw bratwurst ensures good flavor and texture. For those wanting authentic Wisconsin style, specialty brands are recommended but standard supermarket bratwurst is acceptable. Beer can be partially substituted with water to reduce alcohol content while maintaining moisture.

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 10 bratwurst (raw, see note 1)
  • 1 large onion thinly sliced
  • 4 (12 ounce) cans beer (see note 2)
  • 10 hot dog buns split, for serving, buns for bratwurst
  • ketchup and mustard, for serving
  • sauerkraut for serving (see note 3)

Instructions

  1. In a large pot over medium-high heat, add brats, onion, and beer. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until brats are cooked through, about 10 to 12 minutes.
  2. Preheat grill over medium-high heat. Clean and oil grate. Decrease heat to medium and grill brats, turning frequently, until browned, about 5 minutes. Serve in buns with your favorite toppings.

Notes

  • Use raw bratwurst; pre-cooked varieties are different and not recommended for this recipe.
  • Popular Wisconsin brat brands include Johnsonville. Specialty local brands are available online for regional authenticity.
  • Pilsners or lagers are traditional for simmering, but any beer like IPA, porter, or stout adds distinct flavor; half beer and half water can be used to reduce alcohol.
  • You can make your own sauerkraut at home using cabbage, salt, and juniper berries in about five days.
  • Cooked brats can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Serving 1 brat on a bun Calories 423kcal (21%) Carbohydrates 39g (13%) Protein 16g (32%) Fat 22g (34%) Saturated Fat 7g (35%) Cholesterol 49mg (16%) Sodium 914mg (38%) Potassium 342mg (7%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 5IU (0%) Vitamin C 2mg (2%) Calcium 145mg (15%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 10servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 423 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving 1 brat on a bun
Calories 423kcal 21%
Carbohydrates 39g 13%
Protein 16g 32%
Fat 22g 34%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Cholesterol 49mg 16%
Sodium 914mg 38%
Potassium 342mg 7%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 5IU 0%
Vitamin C 2mg 2%
Calcium 145mg 15%
Iron 3mg 17%

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

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Overall Rating

5

225 reviews
Excellent

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