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Grilled Bratwurst with Beer Onions

Plump bratwurst are simmered in a lager with onions and butter, then finished on the grill for a crispy snap, served with caramelized beer onions on a soft hoagie roll with spicy brown mustard.

45 minEasyServes 4480 cal/serving

GermanDinnerGrillStandardHigh ProteinNut-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

  • 8 bratwurst sausages
  • 24 oz lager beer (one 12-oz can)
  • 2 yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 4 tbsp spicy brown or whole-grain mustard
  • 8 hoagie rolls or bratwurst buns, split
  • 1 cup sauerkraut (drained)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground

Instructions

  1. 1

    In a large cast-iron skillet or pot on the grill or stovetop over medium heat, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter and add 2 thinly sliced yellow onions and 4 smashed garlic cloves. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes until the onions begin to soften and turn golden.

  2. 2

    Add 24 oz lager beer (one 12-oz can) and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper to the skillet. Nestle 8 bratwurst sausages into the liquid. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 12-15 minutes, turning the sausages halfway through. The bratwurst will not be fully cooked through at this stage.

  3. 3

    Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400 degrees F). Oil the grates.

  4. 4

    Transfer the bratwurst from the beer bath to the grill. Reserve the beer onion mixture in the skillet and keep warm. Grill the bratwurst for 3-4 minutes, turning every minute, until the casings are nicely browned and the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F (71 degrees C).

  5. 5

    Toast the 8 split hoagie rolls or bratwurst buns on the grill cut-side down for 1-2 minutes.

  6. 6

    Load each roll with a bratwurst, a generous spoonful of beer onions, and 1 cup sauerkraut (drained). Serve with 4 tbsp spicy brown or whole-grain mustard on the side.

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Questions

How much time should I plan for Grilled Bratwurst with Beer Onions?

As written, 45 minutes: 15 of prep and 30 of cooking. The longest single stretch is step 2 (15 minutes): "Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 12-15 minutes, turning the sausages halfway through."

What temperature do I cook Grilled Bratwurst with Beer Onions at?

For Grilled Bratwurst with Beer Onions, the oven is set to 400 F (about 205 C) in step 3. The target internal temperature is 160 F (about 70 C), given in step 4. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

What can I use instead of beer in Grilled Bratwurst with Beer Onions?

The entry for Grilled Bratwurst with Beer Onions calls for 24 oz lager beer (one 12-oz can). In its place: Stock or a non-alcoholic beer, in the same volume.

Can I make Grilled Bratwurst with Beer Onions dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in Grilled Bratwurst with Beer Onions is 2 tbsp unsalted butter. Swap the butter for olive oil where it melts, or a plant-based block butter where it is creamed. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Can I make Grilled Bratwurst with Beer Onions gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in Grilled Bratwurst with Beer Onions is 24 oz lager beer (one 12-oz can), 8 hoagie rolls or bratwurst buns, split. Swap the beer for a certified gluten-free beer or a dry cider; the bread or crumbs for a gluten-free loaf or gluten-free panko. Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Grilled Bratwurst with Beer Onions keep?

Refrigerate what is left of Grilled Bratwurst with Beer Onions within two hours and eat it within three days. Reheat in a hot skillet rather than the microwave to keep the char.

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