Keep that grill nice and hot, because these Grilled Beer Brats are sure to become your new favorite fun dinner! Made with a handful of flavorful ingredients and just twenty minutes of your time, these savory beer brats are perfect for watching the big game or hosting a backyard barbecue with friends.

Two beer brats are placed on a surface with other ingredients and spoons.


Grilled Beer Brats

Hot dogs are great, but grilled beer brats really put them to shame. It’s insane how much flavor hits you with every bite of these brats! Grilled beer brats are like hot dogs older, more sophisticated sibling that really knows how to hit the spot. If there was one word to describe these grilled brats, it would be “savory.”

These bratwursts are made with ingredients like beer, beef stock, and onions, then served with grainy mustard and sauerkraut. When you’re craving something that’s almost an indulgent level of savory, this is the recipe to turn to.

Usually, I say that grilling is the most fun in summertime, but these beer brats are an exception to that rule. As delicious as they are during a warm backyard hangout with friends, they’re even better on chilly nights when you’re watching football!

Everything about them practically screams game night, and they pair wonderfully with beer, making them a real staple in our house for Sunday night football. So whether it’s a hot summer night or a chilly game night in the fall, you better believe I’ve got my grill fired up and cooking a batch of beer brats!

That’s why these are so delicious when enjoyed with a cool glass of beer! If you’re hosting a football party and you’d prefer your kids to enjoy something else though, I totally get it. That’s why I’m always ready to make a batch of Coney Island Hot Dogs or Chili Dogs for the little ones. As for the adults, though? Make a double batch of these brats, because most of my guests usually ask for a second one!

Three beer brats are topped with mustard and sauerkraut.

How to Cook Brats

  1. Preheat. Preheat your grill to medium high heat.
  2. Add ingredients. In a large stockpot over medium high heat, add brats, onion, beef stock and beer.
  3. Simmer. Bring the brats to a boil and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes or until the brats are cooked through.
  4. Remove the brats. Remove the brats from the beer and keep warm. Continue to cook the onions for an additional 5 minutes if using as a topping.
  5. Grill. Transfer the brats to the grill and cook, turning frequently, until browned.
  6. Serve. Serve the brats in buns with mustard, sauerkraut and onions, if using.
Mustard is drizzled on a beer brat.

How To Store Leftover Brats

Have any leftovers? In an airtight container in the fridge, beer brats will stay fresh for up to 3 days. I recommend keeping them with a little bit of the beer and broth mixture as well, that way when you reheat them, they won’t dry out. Also, when reheating, definitely use your stovetop and not the microwave! The brats should just need a few minutes over medium-high heat to heat all the way through.

What Type of Beer To Use

Stay away from IPAS, porters, and light beers. Instead, try to choose a lager or pilsner, as they have the most flexible flavor that will adapt to the other ingredients instead of competing against them. Choose a lager or pilsner you already know that you like, too, that way you know you’ll like the hint of flavor that’s present in each bite. And that way, you can enjoy whatever beer you don’t use in this recipe while you watch football, of course!

Three beer brats are placed on a green wooden cutting board.

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Three beer brats are topped with mustard and sauerkraut.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Beer Brats Recipe

The perfect game day recipe, Grilled Beer Brats make a fantastic easy dinner or tailgating meal. Hoppy, savory flavor in every single bite!
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Ingredients

  • 8 raw Bratwurst
  • 1 onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 cans beer
  • 1 1/2 cups beef stock
  • 8 long rolls, split
  • Grainy Mustard, for serving
  • Sauerkraut, for serving

Equipment

  • grill

Instructions 

  • Preheat grill to medium high heat.
  • In a large stockpot over medium high heat, add brats, onion beef stock and beer.
  • Bring the brats to a boil and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes or until the brats are cooked through.
  • Remove the brats from the beer and keep warm. Continue to cook the onions for an additional 5 minutes if using as a topping.
  • Transfer the brats to the grill and cook, turning frequently, until browned.
  • Serve the brats in buns with mustard, sauerkraut and onions, if using.

Notes

Beer brats can be boiled up to 2 days in advance and grilled right before serving. Serve boiled brats in an airtight container in the refrigerator and remove before grilling.
Calories: 404kcal, Carbohydrates: 36g, Protein: 15g, Fat: 22g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 10g, Cholesterol: 49mg, Sodium: 941mg, Potassium: 333mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 4IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 32mg, Iron: 11mg