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Beer-Simmered Brats with sauerkraut

Beer-Simmered Brats with Sauerkraut

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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, German
Servings 6

Equipment

  • Large Skillet or Dutch Oven Ideal for beer brats stove top method. If making beer brats crockpot style, use a slow cooker. You can also adapt this recipe to the oven (bratwurst recipes oven): simmer the brats first, then bake until golden.
  • Tongs For browning and handling the brats
  • Wooden spoon For sautéing onions and sauerkraut
  • Cutting board and knife
  • OPTIONAL: Grill or grill pan If you want to carefully grill bratwurst after simmering for added char

Ingredients
  

  • 6 bratwursts grilled bratwurst, smoked brats, or homemade bratwurst recipes all work beautifully—use your favorite variety
  • 1 12 oz bottle of beer (lager or pilsner works great for beer bratwurst; use your favorite beer for additional depth)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 large yellow onion thinly sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 teaspoon caraway seeds optional, but traditional
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 cups sauerkraut drained and roughly chopped
  • 1 tablespoon light brown sugar to balance the tang of sauerkraut
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 6 soft brat buns or crusty rolls
  • Mustard Dijon, spicy brown, or your favorite

Instructions
 

Brown the Brats

  1. Heat butter in your skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  2. Add bratwursts and brown on all sides (about 2–3 minutes per side). Browning adds flavor and texture.
  3. Remove the brats and set aside.

Sauté Onion, Garlic & Spices

  1. In the same pot, add sliced onion and a pinch of salt. Sauté for about 5 minutes until softened and golden.
  2. Add garlic, paprika, caraway seeds, salt, and pepper; cook for another minute until fragrant.

Simmer in Beer

  1. Return brats to the pot, nestling them in among the onions.
  2. Pour in beer—enough to come about halfway up the brats.
  3. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.

For slow cooker beer brats, transfer browned brats, onions, garlic, and spices to the crockpot. Add beer, cook on low for 3–4 hours.

    For an oven bratwurst recipes oven adaptation: after simmering on the stove, transfer everything to a baking dish, cover, and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.

      Prepare Sauerkraut

      1. In a bowl, toss sauerkraut with brown sugar and apple cider vinegar.
      2. After brats have simmered, gently fold sauerkraut into the pot. Simmer uncovered for an additional 5–10 minutes to let the flavors meld and liquid reduce slightly.

      Finish Brats (Optional Grill)

      1. For caramelized smoky flavor, preheat your grill or grill pan on medium-high.
      2. Remove brats and sauerkraut; quickly grill brats until charred—about 1–2 minutes per side.

      Serve

      1. Place generous scoops of sauerkraut in brat buns.
      2. Top with grilled or simmered brats.
      3. Add mustard if desired. Enjoy warm.