Grilled Beer Braised Brats With Onions Recipe

I absolutely love this recipe because there’s something so satisfying about the combination of juicy, beer-braised brats topped with caramelized onions and tangy mustard. Grilling the sausages and buns to perfection adds that extra layer of smoky flavor, which makes these bratwursts the ultimate crowd-pleaser for any backyard cookout or casual get-together.

I am enamored of the flavor of braised brats with onions, grilled and served on a hoagie roll, in a dish that is both hearty and satisfying. The pairing of mustard and sauerkraut only improves upon what is already a truly great dish.

It is brassy in all the right ways. I still haven’t achieved grilling nirvana, but I have come close enough that these sandwiches are on my regular summer cooking rotation.

Ingredients

Sausages made from bratwurst: They are rich in protein and add a hearty flavor.

Oil Olive: Grilled healthier than contesting Spain; fat.

Texture.

Grilling somehow enhances oil.

Onions: Depth and sweetness, abundant in antioxidants.

Garlic has an aromatic, bold taste, and it’s good for you, too.

Its health benefits can be traced to sulfur compounds that leach from the chopped or crushed cloves.

Of these, the most significant for garlic’s medicinal power is allicin.

When you consume garlic—eating whole cloves, chopped, or crushed—you activate the formation not just of allicin, but of other related compounds that also seem to make garlic a very effective health protector.

By David L.

Katz, MD, MPH and co-author
Seeds Caraway: Notes earthy, optional spice, aiding digestion.

Beer: Cooking with a malty base, tenderizing sausages.

Mustard: Pungent and zesty; slices through the oiliness.

Sauerkraut is a classic but optional element.

It offers crunch and provides probiotics, thanks to fermentation.

Ingredient Quantities

• 6 bratwurst sausages
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 large onions, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)
• 24 ounces beer (preferably a lager or amber ale)
• 6 hoagie rolls or brat buns
• Mustard, for serving
• Sauerkraut, for topping (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare your grill for cooking over direct, medium-high heat.

2. In a big frying pan, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Put in the cut onions and let them cook until they begin to soften, around 5 minutes.

3. Combine the onions and garlic in a pan. Cook over medium heat, stirring often. When the onions are soft and starting to brown, after about 12 minutes, add the garlic. Stir and cook for another couple of minutes.

4. Add salt, pepper, and caraway seeds (if using) to the onion mixture, and stir to combine.

5. Add the beer to the onion mixture in the skillet and stir to combine. Then add the bratwurst, nestling them into the liquid. Bring to a simmer.

6. Put the skillet lid on and let the brats cook in medium heat for 15-20 minutes, turning them occasionally, until they are done. These guys are much thicker than standard hot dogs; I prefer to give them a longer, slower cook and a good simmer in some beer. You could do just water, but why not do beer? It’s good for you! (Just kidding. But really, it helps flavor the brats.)

7. Take the brats from the skillet and put them on the preheated grill. Grill the sausages for about 5-7 minutes, turning them frequently, until they are golden brown and have grill marks.

8. Grill the hoagie rolls or brat buns on the grill. Toast them for 1-2 minutes; it is counted as a short grilling session.

9. To assemble the brats, place each sausage into a toasted bun.

10. Accompany the grilled brats with the onions spooned over top. Add mustard and sauerkraut to taste. Enjoy them while they’re hot.

Equipment Needed

1. Grill
2. Large frying pan with lid
3. Wooden spoon or spatula
4. Cutting board
5. Sharp knife
6. Measuring spoons
7. Tongs

FAQ

• Can I use a different type of beer?Definitely! While a lager or amber ale is recommended for their balanced flavors, allow your personal palate to rule as you select your beer. Experimenting with different styles of beer—from stouts to IPAs—can yield fascinating results.
• Is it necessary to include caraway seeds?Caraway seeds are not a requirement. They impart a one-of-a-kind taste, but you can leave them out or replace them with another spice that you prefer.
• Can I prepare the brats indoors if I don’t have a grill?You can indeed prepare the brats using the stovetop grill pan or the broiler, if needed, so they can still achieve that great grilled result when you don’t have an outdoor grill.
• What’s the best way to slice the onions?Cut the vegetables into even, medium-thick slices so they cook down nicely. Ensure they absorb the beer’s flavor, but don’t let them turn mushy.
• How long should I braise the brats in beer?Soak the brats in beer for about 15-20 minutes before grilling. Allow them to take in the flavors!
• Can I prepare the brats in advance?Indeed, it is possible to braise the brats in beer and chill them in the refrigerator. But to present the brats in all their glory, grill them just before serving so that they’re nice and hot. You really want them fresh and sizzling.
• Is there a substitute for olive oil?Any neutral cooking oil, such as vegetable or canola oil, can replace olive oil.

Substitutions and Variations

Bratwurst sausages:
Swap out the Italian sausages or kielbasa to get a completely different flavor profile.
Olive oil:
May be replaced with canola oil or vegetable oil.
Large onions:
Use sweet onions or shallots for a milder flavor.
Beer:
Use chicken broth or beef broth for a non-alcoholic version, or try stout for a richer taste.
Hoagie rolls:
Use pretzel buns or regular hot dog buns if you would rather.

Pro Tips

1. Beer Choice For maximum flavor, use a beer you enjoy drinking. A lager or amber ale provides a classic taste, but you can experiment with different types to see how they alter the final flavor of the brats.

2. Onion Caramelization Take your time caramelizing the onions. If you have time, cook them slowly over lower heat for a richer, sweeter taste. This step can take up to 30 minutes but greatly enhances the dish.

3. Pierce the Brats Carefully pierce the bratwurst sausages with a fork or toothpick a few times before adding them to the beer and onion mixture. This technique allows the brats to absorb more flavor from the simmering liquid and prevents them from bursting during grilling.

4. Grill Marks Get the grill to a high temperature before adding the brats for those perfect charred grill marks. Turn the sausages frequently to ensure even cooking and charred lines all around.

5. Bun Warmth Before grilling, lightly brush the hoagie rolls or brat buns with melted butter or olive oil. This small step adds flavor and enhances the toasting process, giving the buns a delicious golden crust.