Looking for a good Bratwurst recipe!

[Drowned Rat]

Howdy gang. I'm having a little get together and I wanted to serve beer brats. So, I'm looking for a good recipe as I've never grilled them before. First, what is the best brand to buy, brat and beer? I've heard of people boiling the brats in the beer before grilling them. Anyone ever try that? When grilling, how do you know when they're done? How hot should the grill be? I'm using a propane grill.

What do you eat on your brats? I'm thinking Boar's Head deli mustard. Anything else?

Looking forward to reading your kick a___ recipes!

 

[Pony]

Re: Looking for a good Bratwurst recipe!

I don't really have a prefered brand, as my favorite are homemade. I do really like Usingers but I dont know what you can get in your area.

I NEVER boil the brats first. It may take longer to cook them, but they are much more flavorful if you cook them straight out of the package. Boiling them seems to really dillute the flavor. Many don't believe that until they have had both.

I love mine with a spicy brown mustard and sour kraut.

Its okay if they are kept warm in a nice mixture of beer and onions too

 

[roscoe]

Re: Looking for a good Bratwurst recipe!

The beer will flavor the onions much more than the brats.
What beer? What beer do you like?
A heavy beer will add more flavor.

For a national brand, go with Klements or Johnsonville.
Get fresh or frozen brats, NOT pre-cooked.

I really prefer the local butcher shop brands.
Local favorite is filled with minced onion and garlic.

Some version of brown mustard and onions and/or Kraut is usual.
But some people do use catsup. why? I don't know.

If the brats are fully thawed, it doesn't take long to kook them, about the same as a hamburger patty. I use low to low/med heat, then once they are cooked (6-10 minutes depending on temp), I turn up the heat to brown them. I like the casings kind of crispy. Best way to know if they are done is to eat one, or two.


If you are too hot with the flame, they will burst and all the juices will come out. To make matters worse, the juices will cause flare-ups and burn the brats.

You might want to get a package of every brand to sample, and some spicy Italians too.

 

[LadyFish]

Re: Looking for a good Bratwurst recipe!

I simmer mine for 15 minutes in a heavy beer first, then grill. Saurkraut and grainy mustard are a must.

 

[Ralphy]

Re: Looking for a good Bratwurst recipe!

Best brands are Usinger's or BoarsHead. Carlton makes a decent one also.
I have to nix the Johnsonville as to me they are not true brats. A true Bratwurst contains veal.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Looking for a good Bratwurst recipe!

I'm a big fan of Bob Evan's beer brats. Better than Johnsonville's by a mile.

 

[i386]

Re: Looking for a good Bratwurst recipe!

Best brands are Usinger's or BoarsHead. Carlton makes a decent one also.
I have to nix the Johnsonville as to me they are not true brats. A true Bratwurst contains veal.

I did not know that.



I always buy the Johnsonville brand. I just grill them until thy're dark in color and the juices start squirting out of them. I keep a spray bottle full of water nearby to put out the flames started by the grease. I've been known to slosh a little beer on them to accomplish the same thing but that might be a sin. I like a little kraut with mine too.

Warning, off-topic:

Johnsonville Italian sausage (hot or mild) is very good in spaghetti! I grill a couple, then cut them up and put them in the sauce. I usually eat one or two on the side also. Love 'em!

 

[roscoe]

Re: Looking for a good Bratwurst recipe!

Best brands are Usinger's or BoarsHead. Carlton makes a decent one also.
I have to nix the Johnsonville as to me they are not true brats. A true Bratwurst contains veal.

True.
As with everything else these days, they are made faster/cheaper/easier/less controversial/flavorless - to not offend the masses.

But if thats all he has access to.....

 

[Waffle]

Re: Looking for a good Bratwurst recipe!

Fire up your grill. Take your favorite brats and try and get as much smoke flavor into them as you can in 10 to 15 minutes.

In a large skillet, sautee a large onion in enough butter or margarine so they don't scorch. Braise with your favorite beer. Add equal parts beer, tomato sauce, and apple cider vineger. Spice to taste with black pepper, crushed red pepper and a good quality mustard.

Add brats and simmer for 20 minutes. Serve brats on a bun with some of the onions from the sauce mixture with your favorite toppings.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Looking for a good Bratwurst recipe!

Thanks for the great tips!! Pony, you serve yours in a beer and onion broth then? I think I've seen that done before. Some of you do cook the beer in first too. Maybe I'll try a few different methods and see which ones turn out best. Kraut and deli mustard it is! Thanks again!

 

[Waffle]

Re: Looking for a good Bratwurst recipe!

Just re-read your first post. If you are using propane, you might want to sacrifice one of the brats (cut it in half lenght wise) to produce smoke.