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close up of a serving tray covered with beer brats on buns and topped with a variety of toppings like donions, mustard, and ketchup.
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5 from 7 votes

Beer Brats

Grilling brats is the epitome of summer! This beer brats recipe is exactly what you need to serve at your next backyard BBQ or cookout. Simply double or triple the recipe for a large group.
Prep Time2 minutes
Cook Time23 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Mains
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories: 293kcal
Author: Meredith

Ingredients

  • 1 package of 5 or 6 uncooked brats
  • 1 medium yellow onion thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoon salted butter
  • 16-20 oz lager style beer
  • buns & condiments of choice

Instructions

Beer Boil + Gas Grill Instructions

  • Preheat your grill by turning on all burners to high
  • (aiming for a temperature of around 350 degrees)
  • In a large saucepan, melt the butter and sauté the sliced onion in butter until softened. You do not want to cook the onion all the way - aim for soft on the outside, crisp on the inside (about 5-7 minutes for this entire step)
  • Add raw brats to the saucepan and top with just enough beer to fully submerge the sausages. Simmer the brats on the lowest possible simmer until they are plump, grey, and there is no visible pink anywhere beneath the casing (about 5-7 minutes)
  • Transfer brats to the grill. Immediately turn the burners directly under the brats down to a low/medium low temperature. Cook turning brats gently and frequently until casing is browned (about 5-7 minutes)* 
  • Serve on your favorite bun, topped with your favorite condiments, and enjoy!
  • Place grill grate aside, and light coals and place lid onto the grill to pre-heat.
  • In a large saucepan, melt the butter and sauté the sliced onion in butter until softened. You do not want to cook the onion all the way - aim for soft on the outside, crisp on the inside (about 5-7 minutes for this entire step)
  • Add raw brats to the saucepan and top with just enough beer to fully submerge the sausages. Simmer the brats on the lowest possible simmer until they are plump, grey, and there is no visible pink anywhere beneath the casing (about 5-7 minutes)
  • Just before adding your brats to the grill, bank your heated coals to one side of your grill. When you add the brats to the grill, cook them on the opposite side of the coals. Cook by turning brats gently and frequently, placing the lid over the brats in between turning, until casing is browned (about 5-7 minutes)*
  • Serve on your favorite bun, topped with your favorite condiments, and enjoy!

Beer Boil + Charcoal Grill Instructions

  • Place grill grate aside, and light coals and place lid onto the grill to pre-heat.
  • In a large saucepan, melt the butter and sauté the sliced onion in butter until softened. You do not want to cook the onion all the way - aim for soft on the outside, crisp on the inside (about 5-7 minutes for this entire step).
  • Add raw brats to the saucepan and top with just enough beer to fully submerge the sausages. Simmer the brats on the lowest possible simmer until they are plump, grey, and there is no visible pink anywhere beneath the casing (about 5-7 minutes).
  • Just before adding your brats to the grill, bank your heated coals to one side of your grill. When you add the brats to the grill, cook them on the opposite side of the coals. Cook by turning brats gently and frequently, placing the lid over the brats in between turning, until casing is browned (about 5-7 minutes)*.
  • Serve on your favorite bun, topped with your favorite condiments, and enjoy!

Notes

*Note: If you’re going to temp your brats during grilling to confirm they are done (to 160°F), insert a thermometer in either end of the sausage, not the middle. This will help minimize juice loss.
*The nutritional value of this recipe is calculated without a bun or toppings (as this will vary widely based on your personal preferences)

Nutrition

Calories: 293kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 59mg | Sodium: 592mg | Potassium: 278mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 121IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg