Juicy, beer-simmered brats are bursting with savory flavor in this 5-star recipe. Learn to make smoky, spicy, and perfectly customizable bratwurst sausages that are cooked in a boozy blend of spices before being grilled to ballpark perfection. Learn the secrets to this classic beer brat recipe, plus get tips from our community of home cooks on how to make it your own.
How to Make Beer Brats
Ready for a mouthwatering, handheld meal that comes together in under 30 minutes? You'll find the full recipe below with step-by-step instructions, but here's what you can expect when you make this top-rated recipe:
- Boil the onion in beer, then add the bratwurst and seasonings.
- Simmer until the bratwurst is tender.
- Grill the bratwurst.
How Long to Cook Brats in Beer
Simmer the brats for 10-12 minutes in beer, then grill them for 5 to 10 minutes. The bratwurst will have an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees F when done. Look for developed color with deep brown grill marks.
What to Serve With Beer Brats
A succulent beer brat shouldn't stand alone. Pair this juicy sausage with classic toppings like sauerkraut, homemade mustard, and of course, the beer-soaked sliced onions. Reach for sides like German potato salad or sweet corn if you're feeding a crowd.
How to Store Beer Brats
Refrigerate cooked beer brats in a shallow, airtight container for up to four days. Bratwurst is best reheated in a 350 degrees F oven or on the stovetop until thoroughly warmed.
Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise
"These are awesome brats!" raves reviewer Betz. "The only thing I changed was after I remove the brats from the beer and onions, I drain off the beer, throw in a little butter and a tad of sugar and cook the onions until caramelized. Perfection!"
"Very tasty brats!" says Tim. "This is a particularly handy recipe for a large group because you can keep them warm easily.
I followed the recipe but halved it," shares home cook Teri. "I also poked holes in the brats prior to simmering to allow in more flavor and prevent splitting. It was a big hit and I will make it again."
Editorial contributions by Rai Mincey
Ingredients
-
4 (12 ounce) cans beer
-
1 large onion, thinly sliced
-
10 bratwurst
-
2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
-
1 teaspoon garlic powder
-
1 teaspoon salt
-
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Directions
-
Gather all ingredients.
![High angle of beer brat ingredients and spices in various bowls and containers.]()
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
-
Combine beer and onion slices in a large pot; bring to a boil.
![High angle of a beer brat broth resting stock pot.]()
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
-
Add bratwurst, pepper flakes, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to beer and onion mixture. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 10 to 12 minutes.
![Brats in a pot floating in a beer and onion mixture.]()
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
-
Meanwhile, preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
-
Transfer bratwurst to a plate. Reduce heat to low and let onions simmer until needed.
-
Cook bratwurst on the preheated grill, turning occasionally to get char marks, until no longer pink in the middle, 5 to 10 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).
-
Serve bratwurst with onions.
![close up view of Beer Brats with onions in a cast iron skillet]()
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
| 382 | Calories |
| 27g | Fat |
| 10g | Carbs |
| 14g | Protein |
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings Per Recipe 10 | |
| Calories 382 | |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Total Fat 27g | 35% |
| Saturated Fat 9g | 47% |
| Cholesterol 69mg | 23% |
| Sodium 1031mg | 45% |
| Total Carbohydrate 10g | 4% |
| Dietary Fiber 1g | 2% |
| Total Sugars 1g | |
| Protein 14g | 28% |
| Vitamin C 2mg | 2% |
| Calcium 37mg | 3% |
| Iron 1mg | 3% |
| Potassium 402mg | 9% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.
