Description
Elevate your summer BBQ with juicy grilled beer brats bursting with flavor. This recipe combines savory bratwurst simmered in a beer and onion bath then grilled to perfection, delivering a crispy casing and tender interior with subtle beer-infused notes. Simple, quick, and perfect for gatherings, these brats can be customized with spicy, cheesy, or vegetarian variations for a crowd-pleasing summer favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 6 quality bratwurst sausages
- 12 oz (1 can or bottle) pale lager or wheat beer
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 6 fresh buns or rolls, lightly toasted
- Mustard and condiments of choice (yellow mustard, spicy brown mustard, etc.)
Instructions
- Prepare the Beer Bath: Pour the beer into a large pot and heat gently with the sliced onions and butter until the onions soften, creating a flavorful beer bath to infuse the brats.
- Simmer the Brats: Place bratwurst in the warm beer bath and simmer for 10-15 minutes, cooking them through while keeping them juicy and tender.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high to achieve a surface hot enough to crisp the brat casing without burning.
- Grill to Perfection: Transfer the brats from the beer bath to the grill and cook 4-5 minutes per side, turning occasionally until golden char and crispy skin develop.
- Toast the Buns and Serve: Just before the brats finish, grill the buns lightly for about one minute. Assemble brats in buns with preferred condiments, grilled onions, and enjoy.
Notes
- Choose fresh bratwurst for best flavor and texture, avoiding frozen when possible.
- Don’t skip the beer bath step; it’s key to moisture retention and flavor depth.
- If flare-ups occur, move brats to indirect heat to prevent burning.
- Rotate brats frequently on the grill for even browning.
- Let brats rest for a minute after grilling to lock in juices before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brat with bun and condiments
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: grilled beer brats, bratwurst, BBQ recipe, summer grilling, beer marinade, smoked sausage