Jump to Recipe What is bratwurst, what does it taste like, how is it best prepared, where can I buy it, and is it any different than a regular sausage? Don’t worry, I have all of the answers! In fact, I’m going to break down a ton of different important information about this delectable sausage! What is Bratwurst Most people are familiar with summer picnics and eating delicious bratwurst! We know they are juicy and succulent, but what exactly are they? First off, bratwurst is a kind of German sausage. Typically, it is produced using finely chopped pork, beef, or veal. Pork is the most common type of meat used in bratwurst, along with delicious herbs and spices.
Jump to:What is Bratwurst How To Cook Bratwurst What Does Bratwurst Taste Like Bratwurst vs Sausage Best Bratwurst Recipes Is Bratwurst Good For Me Where To Buy Storing 📖 Cooking Tips & Tricks 📋 Recipe
How To Cook Bratwurst The best way to cook a bratwurst is whichever way you prefer! Brats can be grilled, boiled, fried, baked, or stewed! You can make them crispy or soft, or even somewhere in between. No matter which way you choose to cook your brat, always be sure it cooks thoroughly. You want it to have an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Check out my guide on sausage internal temperatures! Tips On Cooking Bratwurst Tip 1: Grill your bratwurst on medium heat to give it a nice char on the outside. Use a charcoal grill to enhance the flavor of the bratwurst even further. Tip 2: Parboil your brats before adding them to the grill. This helps the internal temperature reach 165°F (74°C) and assures that they will cook evenly and thoroughly. Tip 3: Don’t break the casing before cooking your brats. Breaking the casing will let the delicious juices leak out, depleting the brats of flavor and tenderness. What Does Bratwurst Taste Like Brats have a bold and smokey flavor with hints of garlic and herbs. Brats are often seasoned with sage, ginger, nutmeg, caraway, and clove. Bratwurst vs Sausage Some people confuse bratwurst and sausage. The two are similar, but they are not exactly the same. While brats are a type of sausage, not all sausage is considered bratwurst. Brats are a type of fresh German sausage that is made raw and needs to be fully cooked before it can be eaten. Sausage can be bought fresh, smoked, or dried. Examples of fresh sausages are breakfast links and brats. They must be thoroughly cooked before consumption. Examples of smoked sausage include meats like kielbasa. These are fully cooked and only need to be reheated. Then there are dried sausages like pepperoni and salami which can be eaten as is. Best Bratwurst Recipes Bratwursts are made throughout the world in different ways. There are an unlimited number of ways to make the perfect brat. Americans love a nice smoked brat on a thick bun topped with condiments such as mustard, ketchup, or relish. Germans love their brats grilled and served with delicious sauerkraut or tender potato salad. Try our recipe for air fryer brats and you won’t be disappointed! Is Bratwurst Good For Me Bratwurst contains ample amounts of protein, vitamin B6, and amino acids from the meat used to make them. They also have added vitamins and minerals from the added herbs and spices. Pork brats are high in fat and should be limited if you are on a low-fat diet. Where To Buy You can buy bratwurst at any grocery store in the meat department. You can also shop for brats at your local butcher. Storing Bratwurst should be kept chilled in the refrigerator or freezer until you are ready to cook it. Once it is prepared it can last up to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. Have you ever tried bratwurst before? Let me know in the comments below which recipe is your favorite! 📖 Cooking Tips & Tricks Best Way To Reheat Steak - Don’t worry about drying out your delicious steak, this guide will show you the best way to reheat leftovers!Cloves To Minced Garlic Conversion - If you ever need to swap minced garlic for fresh cloves, here is a handy conversion chart!How Long Will Pizza Last In The Fridge? - We all love cold pizza, but exactly how long can we enjoy it?Best Cheese For Macaroni & Cheese - If you love macaroni and cheese as much as I do, make sure to check out this guide for which cheese will make the best mac!Shallots vs Onions - Are they the same thing? What are the differences between these cooking staples?Degrees of Beef Doneness - This guide is crucial to ensuring you have perfectly cooked beef for maximum flavor, freshness, and safety!
Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. Stay in touch with me through social media @ Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Don’t forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!
📋 Recipe
Print Recipe Leave A Comment Love This Recipe?Click On A Star To Rate It! 5 from 2 reviews
What Is Bratwurst: Smoked Brats (+More Great Brat Info & Cooking Tips)
What is bratwurst, what does it taste like, how is it best prepared, where can I buy it, and is it any different than a regular sausage? Don’t worry, I have all of the answers! In fact, I’m going to break down a ton of different important information about this delectable sausage!
Author | Angela
Servings: 10 servings Calories: 220kcal Prep 5 minutes Cooking 1 hour 30 minutes Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Pin Recipe Share on Facebook Ingredients US CustomaryMetric1x2x3x▢ 10 bratwurst sausages▢ 10 bratwurst buns (optional)▢ 5 tablespoon sauerkraut (optional)
InstructionsPreheat your smoker to 225°F (107°C).Place brats in your smoker and smoke at 225°F (107°C) for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Use a digital meat thermometer or temperature probe to make sure the brats are at least 160°F (72°C).10 bratwurst sausagesRemove from the smoker then place in buns, top with sauerkraut if desired, and serve. Enjoy!10 bratwurst buns, 5 tablespoon sauerkraut Equipment You May NeedSmoker (Traeger, pellet, wood, charcoal, or an electric smoker) NotesDo not pierce the brat casings, they will not burst at this low temperature. Pecan, Hickory, or Apple are great choices of wood to smoke with. The cook time is a ballpark figure based on my results your exact cook time will vary depending on many factors, always check the internal temp. NutritionCalories: 220kcal (11%) | Carbohydrates: 2g (1%) | Protein: 9g (18%) | Fat: 19g (29%) | Saturated Fat: 7g (44%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 49mg (16%) | Sodium: 558mg (24%) | Potassium: 230mg (7%) | Vitamin A: 4IU | Calcium: 18mg (2%) | Iron: 1mg (6%) Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love! bratwurst sausage, German bratwurst, how to cook bratwurst, Smoked Brats, what is bratwurst Course Dinner Recipes, Main Dish, Smoked MeatsCuisine AmericanAngela @ BakeItWithLove.comAngela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma’s kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love! bakeitwithlove.com/about/
What is bratwurst, what does it taste like, how is it best prepared, where can I buy it, and is it any different than a regular sausage? Don’t worry, I have all of the answers! In fact, I’m going to break down a ton of different important information about this delectable sausage!
What is Bratwurst
Most people are familiar with summer picnics and eating delicious bratwurst! We know they are juicy and succulent, but what exactly are they?
First off, bratwurst is a kind of German sausage. Typically, it is produced using finely chopped pork, beef, or veal. Pork is the most common type of meat used in bratwurst, along with delicious herbs and spices.
How To Cook Bratwurst
The best way to cook a bratwurst is whichever way you prefer! Brats can be grilled, boiled, fried, baked, or stewed! You can make them crispy or soft, or even somewhere in between.
No matter which way you choose to cook your brat, always be sure it cooks thoroughly. You want it to have an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Check out my guide on sausage internal temperatures!
Tips On Cooking Bratwurst
Tip 1: Grill your bratwurst on medium heat to give it a nice char on the outside. Use a charcoal grill to enhance the flavor of the bratwurst even further.
Tip 2: Parboil your brats before adding them to the grill. This helps the internal temperature reach 165°F (74°C) and assures that they will cook evenly and thoroughly.
Tip 3: Don’t break the casing before cooking your brats. Breaking the casing will let the delicious juices leak out, depleting the brats of flavor and tenderness.
What Does Bratwurst Taste Like
Brats have a bold and smokey flavor with hints of garlic and herbs. Brats are often seasoned with sage, ginger, nutmeg, caraway, and clove.
Bratwurst vs Sausage
Some people confuse bratwurst and sausage. The two are similar, but they are not exactly the same. While brats are a type of sausage, not all sausage is considered bratwurst.
Brats are a type of fresh German sausage that is made raw and needs to be fully cooked before it can be eaten.
Sausage can be bought fresh, smoked, or dried.
Examples of fresh sausages are breakfast links and brats. They must be thoroughly cooked before consumption.
Examples of smoked sausage include meats like kielbasa. These are fully cooked and only need to be reheated.
Then there are dried sausages like pepperoni and salami which can be eaten as is.
Best Bratwurst Recipes
Bratwursts are made throughout the world in different ways. There are an unlimited number of ways to make the perfect brat.
Americans love a nice smoked brat on a thick bun topped with condiments such as mustard, ketchup, or relish.
Germans love their brats grilled and served with delicious sauerkraut or tender potato salad.
Try our recipe for air fryer brats and you won’t be disappointed!
Is Bratwurst Good For Me
Bratwurst contains ample amounts of protein, vitamin B6, and amino acids from the meat used to make them. They also have added vitamins and minerals from the added herbs and spices.
Pork brats are high in fat and should be limited if you are on a low-fat diet.
Where To Buy
You can buy bratwurst at any grocery store in the meat department. You can also shop for brats at your local butcher.
Storing
Bratwurst should be kept chilled in the refrigerator or freezer until you are ready to cook it. Once it is prepared it can last up to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container.
Have you ever tried bratwurst before? Let me know in the comments below which recipe is your favorite!
📖 Cooking Tips & Tricks
- Best Way To Reheat Steak - Don’t worry about drying out your delicious steak, this guide will show you the best way to reheat leftovers!Cloves To Minced Garlic Conversion - If you ever need to swap minced garlic for fresh cloves, here is a handy conversion chart!How Long Will Pizza Last In The Fridge? - We all love cold pizza, but exactly how long can we enjoy it?Best Cheese For Macaroni & Cheese - If you love macaroni and cheese as much as I do, make sure to check out this guide for which cheese will make the best mac!Shallots vs Onions - Are they the same thing? What are the differences between these cooking staples?Degrees of Beef Doneness - This guide is crucial to ensuring you have perfectly cooked beef for maximum flavor, freshness, and safety!
Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. Stay in touch with me through social media @ Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Don’t forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!
📋 Recipe
Print Recipe Leave A Comment Love This Recipe?Click On A Star To Rate It! 5 from 2 reviews
What Is Bratwurst: Smoked Brats (+More Great Brat Info & Cooking Tips)
What is bratwurst, what does it taste like, how is it best prepared, where can I buy it, and is it any different than a regular sausage? Don’t worry, I have all of the answers! In fact, I’m going to break down a ton of different important information about this delectable sausage!
Author | Angela
Servings: 10 servings Calories: 220kcal Prep 5 minutes Cooking 1 hour 30 minutes Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Pin Recipe Share on Facebook Ingredients US CustomaryMetric1x2x3x▢ 10 bratwurst sausages▢ 10 bratwurst buns (optional)▢ 5 tablespoon sauerkraut (optional)
InstructionsPreheat your smoker to 225°F (107°C).Place brats in your smoker and smoke at 225°F (107°C) for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Use a digital meat thermometer or temperature probe to make sure the brats are at least 160°F (72°C).10 bratwurst sausagesRemove from the smoker then place in buns, top with sauerkraut if desired, and serve. Enjoy!10 bratwurst buns, 5 tablespoon sauerkraut Equipment You May NeedSmoker (Traeger, pellet, wood, charcoal, or an electric smoker) NotesDo not pierce the brat casings, they will not burst at this low temperature. Pecan, Hickory, or Apple are great choices of wood to smoke with. The cook time is a ballpark figure based on my results your exact cook time will vary depending on many factors, always check the internal temp. NutritionCalories: 220kcal (11%) | Carbohydrates: 2g (1%) | Protein: 9g (18%) | Fat: 19g (29%) | Saturated Fat: 7g (44%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 49mg (16%) | Sodium: 558mg (24%) | Potassium: 230mg (7%) | Vitamin A: 4IU | Calcium: 18mg (2%) | Iron: 1mg (6%) Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love! bratwurst sausage, German bratwurst, how to cook bratwurst, Smoked Brats, what is bratwurst Course Dinner Recipes, Main Dish, Smoked MeatsCuisine American
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.comAngela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma’s kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love! bakeitwithlove.com/about/
Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. Stay in touch with me through social media @ Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Don’t forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!
Love This Recipe?Click On A Star To Rate It!
5 from 2 reviews
What Is Bratwurst: Smoked Brats (+More Great Brat Info & Cooking Tips)
Author | Angela
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 220kcal
Prep 5 minutes
Cooking 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Ingredients US CustomaryMetric1x2x3x▢ 10 bratwurst sausages▢ 10 bratwurst buns (optional)▢ 5 tablespoon sauerkraut (optional)
InstructionsPreheat your smoker to 225°F (107°C).Place brats in your smoker and smoke at 225°F (107°C) for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Use a digital meat thermometer or temperature probe to make sure the brats are at least 160°F (72°C).10 bratwurst sausagesRemove from the smoker then place in buns, top with sauerkraut if desired, and serve. Enjoy!10 bratwurst buns, 5 tablespoon sauerkraut
Equipment You May NeedSmoker (Traeger, pellet, wood, charcoal, or an electric smoker)
NotesDo not pierce the brat casings, they will not burst at this low temperature. Pecan, Hickory, or Apple are great choices of wood to smoke with. The cook time is a ballpark figure based on my results your exact cook time will vary depending on many factors, always check the internal temp.
Nutrition
Calories: 220kcal (11%) | Carbohydrates: 2g (1%) | Protein: 9g (18%) | Fat: 19g (29%) | Saturated Fat: 7g (44%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 49mg (16%) | Sodium: 558mg (24%) | Potassium: 230mg (7%) | Vitamin A: 4IU | Calcium: 18mg (2%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)
Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
Course Dinner Recipes, Main Dish, Smoked MeatsCuisine American
US CustomaryMetric
