Beer-Braised Brats

Grill the bratwurst, then simmer them in a sweet and tangy beer sauce. When you're ready for dinner, put the brats in a bun and top with the pickles and cranberry relish.

Beer-Braised Brats
Prep Time:
30 mins
Cook Time:
10 mins
Grill Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
1 hr
Servings:
10

Ingredients

  • 10 uncooked bratwurst links (2 1/2 pounds total)

  • ¼ cup butter

  • 1 large onion, halved and cut into thin slices

  • 2 12 ounce bottle or cans dark German beer

  • 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar

  • 2 tablespoons vinegar

  • 1 teaspoon caraway seeds

  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed

  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

  • 10 hoagie buns, bratwurst buns, or other crusty rolls, split and toasted

  • Easy Cranberry-Pickle Relish (recipe follows)

Directions

  1. Pierce bratwursts with fork. For a charcoal grill: Arrange medium-hot coals around a drip pan. Test for medium heat above pan. Place bratwursts on grill rack over drip pan. Cover; grill 20 to 30 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into bratwursts registers 160° F, turning once halfway through grilling time. (For a gas grill: Preheat the grill. Reduce heat to medium. Adjust for indirect cooking. Grill as directed above.)

  2. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, heat butter over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir about 5 minutes or until tender. Add beer, brown sugar, vinegar, caraway seeds, thyme, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Place bratwursts in beer mixture; keep warm until serving time.

  3. To serve, place grilled bratwurst in a bun or roll. Using a slotted spoon, top with some cooked onion slices and Easy Cranberry-Pickle Relish. Makes 10 sandwiches.

Can tote cooked brats and the beer cooking liquid to your tailgating site in an insulated container. Serve within 1 to 2 hours.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

682 Calories
33g Fat
70g Carbs
20g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 10
Calories 682
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 33g 42%
Saturated Fat 12g 60%
Cholesterol 76mg 25%
Sodium 1341mg 58%
Total Carbohydrate 70g 25%
Total Sugars 23g
Protein 20g
Vitamin C 2mg 9%
Calcium 121mg 9%
Iron 3mg 14%
Potassium 286mg 6%
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