10 Great Beer Brats Recipes to Try Out

Bratwurst is already delicious on its own, but you can make them better with a bit of beer and some time on a grill.

That’s right; we’re talking about cooked brats in beer! Beer-boiled brats are a beloved summertime staple that you can cook whatever the weather’s like outside.

Here are some amazing beer brats recipes you can try to spice up your next cookout!

10 Beer Brats Recipe to Use

Here’s our list of the best beer brats recipes for all occasions!

1) Beer Brats and Sauteed Peppers Recipe

Source: budgetbytes.com

Ingredients:

• 3 cans of beer, 12 oz. each (about 1.5 cups)
• 8 large bratwurst
• 1 large onion
• 3 bell peppers
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 2 tbsp. butter

Instructions:

1. Before you can get cooking, pre-heat your grill to high before bringing it down to medium-high heat (10 minutes).
2. Lay your brats in a slow cooker or large pot and lay the beer on. Ensure your brats are completely covered and bring them to a boil.
3. Simmer the brats until they have an internal temp. of 150 degrees F, then bring them to the grill (8-12 minutes). Grill until each brat is browned, then take them off the grill.
4. While the brats are grilling, put your butter in a skillet and cook it over a medium flame. Add your onion, peppers, salt, and pepper. Saute until the onion and peppers are soft.
5. Add 1/2 a cup of the cooked beer once the onions and peppers are soft, then keep cooking until the vegetables are slightly browned.
6. Combine the beer brats and onions and serve. Enjoy your food!

NOTE: This recipe gets most of its flavor from the extra ingredients, like the onion and peppers. You can add more onions if you don’t mind their sharp taste, and serve the brats with a bun for a more complete dish!

2) Beer Brats Cooked in Relish Recipe

Source: budgetbytes.com

Ingredients:

• 6 large brats
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 3 tbsp. vegetable oil
• 1 and 1/2 c. water
• 2 cups dark beer (Something like Lone Star beer)
• 2 large yellow onions, finely chopped
• 1 large peeled apple, cored and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 tsp. juniper berries (optional)
• 1/2 c. stone-ground mustard
• 1/4 c. sour cream
• 1/2 tsp. Kosher salt
• 4 c. relish of your choice (We recommend sauerkraut)
• Freshly-ground black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Let’s start this recipe by warming the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and let it cook, stirring occasionally, until soft (15 minutes).
2. Add the apple, sugar, juniper berries (if using), relish, water, salt, and a few grinds of black pepper.
3. Cover the pot and cook until the apple softens (25-35 minutes).
4. In a different saucepan, bring beer to a simmer. Cook sausages until warmed through (5-10 minutes).
5. Stir the mustard and sour cream together in a separate bowl.
6. Combine relish mix, 1 beer brat, and 2 spoonfuls of warm beer on a plate. Serve with mustard sauce on the side.

3) Wisconsin Beer Brats Recipe

Source: simplywhisked.com

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. Bratwurst, about 4-6 sausages (Add more if you’re going to cook beer brats for a large group)
• 4-6 Brioche hot dog buns
• 3 cups, any beer
• 1 Yellow onion, sliced
• Condiments and relish as needed (Caramelized onions or extra Brioche buns)

Instructions:

1. Before you can cook your Wisconsin beer brats, place the sausages, onions, and beer in a large airtight container and shake it. Let it marinate for 6-12 hours.
2. Prepare your grill for cooking. Light charcoal grills 30 minutes before cooking, and preheat gas grills 15 minutes before cooking.
3. Add marinated beer brats to a cast-iron skillet and boil them over the grill with indirect heat (10-15 minutes). They should have an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
4. Once they’re hot enough, take them off the hot skillet and transfer them to the grill. Once they’ve grilled for 1-2 minutes per side, their internal temperature should be 160 degrees F.
5. While your Wisconsin beer brats are grilling, toast a bun for each brat on the other side of the grill.
6. Remove the brats and buns from the grill and serve them on a single plate with condiments and relish. Eat up!

4) Non-alcoholic Beer Brats

Source: inspiretraveleat.com

Ingredients:

• 5 Brats, any flavor
• 2 large onions, peeled and chopped into large chunks
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1.5 cups, chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet until it’s cooking, then put the brats in carefully. Add salt and pepper as needed.
2. Flip each brat and add chopped onions. Cover with a lid until onions are cooked.
3. Pour broth over the brats, then replace the lid. Leave it slightly open to let some steam escape.
4. Reduce heat until low and simmer until the onions are fully cooked and the broth is almost evaporated.
5. Serve food when brats are fully cooked through, with relish or a bun.

TIP: This recipe is great if you want to cook bratwurst without beer, keeping it healthy. We used chicken broth here, but you can substitute the chicken with any other meat, like beef or pork.

5) Simple Beer Brats Recipe

Source: tornadoughalli.com

Ingredients:

• 6 raw bratwurst
• 6 hot dog buns
• 3-5 cans of light beer (Both for cooking brats and drinking after!)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Put raw brats in a large stockpot and pour in 3 cans of beer. The brats need to be fully submerged before they can start boiling.
2. Turn the heat to medium until the beer is at a rolling boil. Leave it cooking (10-15 minutes).
3. Once the beer is foaming, poke holes in the brats to let steam escape. While they’re boiling, preheat the grill to 450 degrees F.
4. Transfer the brats to the grill and start grilling, flipping them as you grill (5-10 minutes).
5. Remove the grilled brats from the skillet and enjoy!

IMPORTANT: This onion-less recipe is great for a simple yet delicious meal, but we admit that a brat without seasonings is a bit plain. Try adding some butter and a bun!

6) Puff Pastry Brats in Beer With Cheese Recipe

Source: ericasrecipes.com

Ingredients:

• 4 bratwurst
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 can of light beer
• 1 sheet of puff pastry
• 3 tbsp. salted butter
• Egg wash
• 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
• 6 oz. Sharp cheese (We recommend cheddar!)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup milk

Instructions:

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Warm up your skillet and melt 1 tbsp. of butter inside. Add onion and cook until onion is softened, then add the brats to the skillet.
3. Add the beer on top and stir to combine evenly. Once the beer is simmering, cover the food until it’s cooked through (10 minutes).
4. Remove the sausages from the skillet and set aside to cool. Strain the cooked beer and set it aside.
5. Cut your puff pastry into 4 even squares, then place a brat on the edge of one square. Roll the pastry around the brats, then seal the seam with a pinch. Repeat until all brats are sealed.
6. Place puff pastry brats seam-side down on the baking sheet, then pierce the tops with a fork. Brush egg wash over brats and freeze for 10 minutes before baking.
7. Bake brats for 20 minutes. Melt 2 tbsp. butter in a pan over medium heat, then add the flour. Stir until golden brown. Slowly pour in cooked beer from the brats and leave it until it’s simmering.
8. Stir in the heavy cream and milk, then let the mixture combine until it’s thickened. Add cheese and stir until the cheese is completely melted.
9. Serve the puff pastry beer brats with the sauce.

7) Buttery Beer Boiled Brats Recipe

Source: asprinkleandsplash.com

Ingredients:

• 12 bratwurst
• 1 large onion
• 4 tbsp. butter
• Beer as needed

Instructions:

1. Place all ingredients in a stockpot and bring it to a boil.
2. Once the brats are fully cooked, remove them and set the beer mixture aside.
3. Grill the brats until they’re golden brown, then add the beer mixture when it’s time to eat. Bon appetit!

8) Spicy Beer Brats

Source: palatablepastime.com

Ingredients:

• 2 onions, sliced
• 2 jalapeno peppers, sliced
• 6 swiss cheese slices
• 5 brats
• 5 buns
• 1 tbsp. vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp. butter
• 3 cans of beer

Instructions:

1. In a large saucepan, add the brats and beer. Boil the brats in beer until they’re partially cooked (10-12 minutes).
2. Next, preheat your grill to medium-low. Grill brats until they’re fully cooked through (20 minutes).
3. Leave the brats while they’re grilling, and heat the butter and oil until they’re mixed. Add the onion slices and stir until they’re golden brown.
4. Pair the grilled brats with the buns and top with onions, jalapenos, and cheese.

9) Seasoned Beer Brats Recipe

Source: craftbeering.com

Ingredients:

• 1 & 1/2 cups beer
• 2 lbs. of brats
• 6 sprigs of thyme
• 3 tbsp. of whole grain mustard

Instructions:

1. Preheat your grill to the highest heat for 10 minutes, then rearrange the coals to create a low-heat and high-heat side. Cover for now.
2. Mix the beer and mustard in an aluminum pan. Stir until the mixture is fully combined, then add the thyme.
3. Place the mixture on the grill and leave it until it’s simmering (4 minutes). Then move it to the low-heat side and cover the grill.
4. Grill the brats until they’re fully heated through. The brats should be fully grilled once their internal temperature is 150 degrees F (20 minutes).
5. Open the grill’s lid again, then move the brats to the hotter side of the grill. Continue cooking the brats until the sides have crisped up.
6. Remove grilled brats and eat while hot!

10) Soy Sauce Beer Brats Recipe

Source: epicurious.com

Ingredients:

• 1 can of beer
• 2 tbsp. soy sauce
• 2 tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 tbsp. chili powder
• 1/8 tsp. garlic powder
• 8 raw brat links
• 1 onion, peeled and sliced

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients except for the brats and onion. Pour 1 cup of the mixture into a container then add the brats. Refrigerate overnight or for 4 hours. Set aside the remaining marinade mixture.
2. Add the onion slices to another container and coat it with the remaining marinade. Place the onions and marinade onto an aluminum foil-topped baking sheet.
3. Fold foil around the onions and marinade mix and seal. Take the container with the brats and drain the marinade.
4. Grill the onions and brats in a covered grill over medium-low heat until the brats are fully cooked through and the onion has softened (15-20 minutes). Open the foil to let the steam escape, and enjoy.

What Are Great Toppings and Sides for Beer Brats?

No beer brat recipe is complete without a great topping or two! Here are some of our favorite toppings for extra flavor:

• Sauerkraut – Sauerkraut is a wonderful traditional sausage topping, but beware of its aftereffects.
• Dijon Mustard – The spicier, the better! You can also use spicy brown mustard or mix in some honey to sweeten your mustard.
• Beer-Braised Onions – Take those beer-braised onions you grilled alongside the brats, and place them back on top. There’s nothing like the flavor of caramelized onions!
• German Potato Salad – Boil some potatoes, fry some bacon and onions, and add sugar and vinegar. Serve alongside your bratwurst for a good time!
• Ketchup – Ketchup is another classic condiment, even if some people might turn their noses at it. It’s not just for hot dogs!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Check out this section before you pick your new favorite beer brats recipe!

Should I Boil Brats in Beer Before Grilling?

If you’re going to cook beer brats, boil them only if the recipe calls for it! We recommend keeping the beer and brats separated unless you’re marinating them or they’re ready to grill.

Boiling anything will lead to a longer cooking time and reduce the flavor of the meat. Unless you’re worried about food safety, we’d suggest steaming your bratwurst instead.

What Is the Best Beer to Soak Brats?

There’s no “best” kind of beer for bratwurst since it all depends on what kind of flavors you’re looking for. Use light beer if you want to highlight the natural flavor of your brat.

If you want something more intense, let your brats soak in a darker brew. What’s more important is the brat you use!

Use bratwurst from your local butcher shop if you can find them. We’ve got nothing against grocery store bratwurst, but you can’t beat the flavor of artisanal bratwurst!

Can Kids Eat Beer-Boiled Brats?

We all love a good beer brat, but what about the young ones? Unfortunately, you may have to cook something else for the kids.

Despite what you may have heard, these recipes still retain some alcohol content even after they’re cooked, and different ingredients can even help the final dish retain more alcohol!

Help your kids with their nutrition! Serving kid-friendly dishes like corn on the cob or regular grilled brats is one alternative; you can also cook your sausage in Heineken 0.0, which is non-alcoholic.

Gas or Charcoal?

Anyone who wants to cook brats properly will reach that age-old question: Gas or charcoal? We didn’t specify whether a gas grill or charcoal grill is better for most of these recipes because the heat is more important than your grill.

The grilling is mostly for more flavor and to ensure your brats are fully cooked since boiling your brats in beer will ensure they’re partially cooked and no longer pink in the center.

We recommend grilling your brats over medium-low heat until they reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees F. Don’t set the heat too high unless you want to clean saturated fat off your grill!

Conclusion

There’s nothing like cooking brats in beer on a beautiful sunny day. Use whichever kind of beer you prefer, and choose a delicious recipe from our selection.

Juicy grilled pork meat browned to perfection and served with braised onions…it’s making us drool just thinking about it. Any recipe here is sure to brighten up your next cookout!

Hopefully, you’ve found a beer brats recipe that’s caught your eye and are ready to start grilling!