Beef Brats with Sauerkraut (Printer-Friendly)

Juicy grilled beef bratwursts paired with tangy sauerkraut and classic toppings on toasted buns.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 6 beef bratwursts

→ Bread

02 - 6 sturdy bratwurst buns or hoagie rolls

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 1/2 cups sauerkraut, drained
04 - 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
05 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

→ Condiments & Toppings

06 - 3 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
07 - 3 tablespoons ketchup (optional)
08 - 1/4 cup chopped pickles (optional)

→ Seasonings

09 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
10 - 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat grill to medium-high heat (approximately 400°F).
02 - Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onion and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and golden brown (about 8 minutes).
03 - Add drained sauerkraut and caraway seeds (if using) to the skillet. Stir and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until heated through. Season with freshly ground black pepper.
04 - Place beef bratwursts on the preheated grill. Turn occasionally and grill for 12-15 minutes until evenly browned and fully cooked, reaching an internal temperature of 160°F.
05 - During the final 2 minutes of grilling, place buns cut-side down on the grill to lightly toast.
06 - Place a grilled bratwurst in each toasted bun. Top generously with the warm sauerkraut-onion mixture. Add mustard, ketchup, and pickles as desired. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The beef brats stay incredibly juicy while developing this gorgeous charred exterior that makes every bite textural perfection
  • You can prep everything ahead and just grill when guests arrive, making you look like a hosting genius without the stress
02 -
  • Never cut into your brats to check doneness—you'll lose all those precious juices
  • Let the onions cook slowly while you prep everything else; rushing them means missing out on that sweet, caramelized magic
03 -
  • Let the brats rest for a few minutes after grilling so the juices redistribute
  • If your buns are getting too toasted before the brats are done, move them to the cooler upper rack

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