10 Beer Brat Recipes You Should Definitely Try Out

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Beer brats are a quintessential summertime favorite across many parts of the United States, especially in the Midwest. Their popularity stems from their delicious flavor and versatility – beer brats can be grilled, smoked, baked, or simmered in various marinades and sauces for an easy, crowd-pleasing meal. 

According to statistics from the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Wisconsinites alone consume more than 80 million bratwursts each summer. With peak grilling season lasting from Memorial Day to Labor Day, backyard cookouts and tailgates just aren’t complete without a batch of hearty beer brats sizzling on the grill. 

So what exactly are beer brats? They are fresh bratwurst sausages parboiled in beer before being finished on the grill or in the oven. This method infuses them with tons of flavor from the beer, keeping the brats incredibly moist and juicy. The beer also helps tenderize the sausage. 

While specialty sausage shops and butcher markets make excellent beer brats, you can easily make them at home with just a few simple ingredients. Pre-cooked bratwurst, beer, and onions are all you need for basic beer brats. You can customize them from there with different marinades, spices, peppers, cheeses, and more.

If you’ve never attempted beer brats before, now is the time! Keep reading for ten must-try beer brat recipes that will win over any backyard barbecue or game day crowd.

1. Basic Beer Brats

You don’t need a grill to enjoy tasty beer brats. As an alternative, try making slow cooker brats! Simply combine brats, beer, onions, and seasonings in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours until the brats are fall-apart tender. The slow cooking method keeps the brats incredibly moist and gives them plenty of time to soak up all the beer flavor. This way, you can enjoy the taste of beer brats year-round, even when the grilling season is over.

2. Beer Brats with Sauerkraut 

For a taste of Germany, top your beer brats with tangy sauerkraut. After simmering the brats in beer, wrap them in bacon before grilling. The bacon adds a lovely smoky note and keeps the brats from drying out over the hot fire. Pile the grilled brats on crusty rolls and top with drained sauerkraut and spicy brown mustard for a hearty sandwich.

3. Beer Cheese Brats

For a twist, mix shredded cheddar cheese into the onion and beer mixture. Allow the cheese to melt into a gooey beer cheese sauce as the brats simmer. The cheese gives the brats a rich flavor. After grilling, serve the brats on buns with extra beer cheese sauce for dipping.

4. Southwest Beer Brats

Add Tex-Mex flair to your beer brats using a Mexican lager like Corona and simmering with jalapeños and cilantro. Season with chili powder, cumin, and garlic. The Southwestern marinade gives the brats a spicy kick. Top with guacamole, pico de gallo, and cotija cheese after grilling. The brats pair perfectly with cold cerveza on the side.

5. Beer Brats with Sauces

Beer brats love sauces! After the initial beer boil, brush your grilled brats with barbecue sauce, honey mustard, or chimichurri. For a sweet and spicy combo, coat the brats with brown sugar, cayenne, and maple syrup before grilling. The caramelized exterior takes these beer brats over the top.

6. Beer Brats and Vegetables 

Along with onion, add other vegetables to the beer while simmering the brats. Bell peppers, mushrooms, corn, and potatoes all infuse the brats with their flavors. Grill vegetables along with the brats to serve a complete meal. For heartier fare, chop vegetables and combine them with cooked pasta and beer brats.

7. Pizza Beer Brats 

These tasty brats are topped just like a pizza! Sauté onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms with Italian seasoning. Add marinara sauce to coat the vegetables. Grill the beer brats, then top with the veggie sauce mixture. Finish with shredded mozzarella cheese and pepperoni slices. The pizza toppings make for an amazing brat sandwich.

8. Mac and Cheese Stuffed Beer Brats

For the ultimate beer brats, use a paring knife to cut a pocket into the center of each brat. Stuff with macaroni and cheese before simmering in beer. The mac and cheese fills the brats with an outrageously delicious cheesy center. Garnish with crispy bacon after grilling for over-the-top indulgence. 

9. Slow Cooker Beer Brats

You don’t need a grill to enjoy tasty beer brats. Simply combine brats, beer, onions, and seasonings in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours until the brats are fall-apart tender. The slow cooking method keeps the brats incredibly moist and gives them plenty of time to soak up all the beer flavor. 

10. Beer Brats Toppings Bar

Set up a DIY toppings bar for guests to customize their brats. Provide buns along with sauerkraut, caramelized onions, barbecue sauce, sriracha, cheese sauce, jalapeños, avocado, tomatoes, lettuce, and other favorite fixings. Allowing people to build their own creations makes for an interactive meal. 

Tips for Grilling Perfect Beer Brats

• Get the grill hot before cooking the brats to help sear the outside and lock in juices.
• Use tongs instead of a fork when turning the brats to avoid puncturing the casings and losing moisture.
• Move the brats around the grill to prevent flare-ups from charring the outside before the inside is cooked.
• Resist the urge to squeeze or pierce the cooked brats to test for doneness. This will cause vital juices to be lost.
• Pull the brats off the grill when they reach an internal temperature of 160°F. The interior will remain moist and juicy.

Must-Have Beer Brat Toppings

• Spicy brown mustard – This classic condiment adds a tangy kick and pairs perfectly with the richness of the brats.
• Sauerkraut – The fermented cabbage provides a pleasant sour contrast to the savory sausage.
• Beer cheese sauce – For an indulgent brat, smother it in this rich, creamy cheese sauce infused with beer flavor.

Conclusion

Beer brats are a backyard barbecue staple for a good reason – they deliver big, bold flavor in an easy, crowd-pleasing package. While brats simmered in beer are delicious on their own, there are endless ways to customize them with spices, vegetables, cheeses, sauces, and more. 

Hopefully, this article has inspired you to fire up the grill and cook up a batch of beer brats. They are budget-friendly, simple to make, and sure to satisfy a hungry crowd. Just be prepared for requests for second helping! Any of these 10 beer brat recipes will soon become a go-to meal all summer long.