These snappy grilled German sausages are a delicious alternative to hot dogs. Serve on a bed of sweet and sour sauerkraut for an easy skillet meal.
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Take a break from hot dogs and serve up these savory brats and sauerkraut instead. This recipe is SO easy, and the flavor is incredible.
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Why you will love this
- I love the snap of a brat when bitten into. The juicy burst of flavor can't be beaten.
- This dish comes together in just 15 minutes. Prepare the kraut while grilling the brats.
- A few pantry staples are all you need to pull together the sauerkraut mixture. The sweet and sour vibe pairs perfectly with the fatty sausage.
- Turn bratwurst into an easy appetizer with these grilled bratwurst bites.
What is bratwurst?
Bratwurst is a fresh German sausage seasoned with various spices and most commonly made from pork, but also veal, and sometimes beef.
Bratwurst is often associated with tailgating and ball games. In our house, brats are preferred over hot dogs, and we enjoy them all year long.
Ingredients
- Bratwurst: For this recipe, I used uncooked Johnsonville Bratwurst. They are bigger, juicier, and have a better texture than the pre-cooked variety.
- Sauerkraut is a great pantry staple to keep on hand. I love fresh jarred kraut found in the refrigerated section of my supermarket, but canned can also be used. Drain before combining with the other ingredients. Save leftovers to serve with crockpot corned beef brisket or to use on these Reuben sliders.
- Buns are optional. Serve on top of the kraut or load into a bun with your favorite toppings.
Step-by-step instructions
See the recipe card for complete instructions and ingredient amounts.
- Grill the bratwurst using a grill pan or an outdoor grill.
- Meanwhile, sauté the onions in butter until soft.
- Stir in the sauerkraut, vinegar, brown sugar, and mustard. Heat through for 1-2 minutes.
- Top the mixture with the brats and serve.
How to serve
You can serve these brats straight from the skillet or pile them into a bun with the kraut.
I love serving this with chips and Miracle Whip coleslaw. For hearty appetites, serve with pepper and potato hash or ciabatta garlic bread.
Recipe FAQs
You can serve brats with other German dishes like German potato salad. Fried potatoes, pasta salad, warm apples, apple slaw, and cucumber salad are all delicious sides.
Anything typically found on a hot dog is delicious. Grilled onions, mustard, ketchup, chili, pickle relish, cheese sauce, and coleslaw are all great options.
Canned sauerkraut does not need to be rinsed before using. Rinsing will remove some of the flavors, so only rinse if you prefer a milder taste.
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📖 Recipe Card
Brats and Kraut
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EQUIPMENT
- stove-top grill pan or outdoor grill
Ingredients
- 5 bratwurst (uncooked, like Johnsonville)
- 1 cup sliced onions
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 15 ounces sauerkraut (drained)
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup light or dark brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons deli-style mustard (or Dijon)
- 5 hot dog rolls
Instructions
- Grill the bratwurst over medium heat, about 3-5 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature is 160℉.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt the butter and cook the onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the sauerkraut, vinegar, brown sugar, and mustard. Stir to combine and cook for 1-2 minutes until heated through.
- Serve the brats on top of the kraut or with buns.
Notes
- Canned sauerkraut does not need to be rinsed before using. Rinsing will remove some of the flavor, so only rinse if you prefer a milder taste.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary depending on the exact amounts and specific ingredients used.
This post was originally published in July 2019 and has been updated.
Melissa says
This is so delicious! I hadn’t made sauerkraut dishes before because I didn’t think my partner and daughter would enjoy them. Silly me. They both loved it! It was super easy to make, and I was immediately transported back to my grandmother’s kitchen.
Abbey says
Melissa, I'm so happy you enjoyed this recipe and that it invoked happy memories!