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    Where Is My Spoon > Recipes > German > German Main Course

    Brats with Sauerkraut

    Published by: Adina May 16, 2021 ยท Last modified: June 2, 2024 6 Comments
    Jump to Recipe
    pinterest image of two sausages, one of them sliced. With picture title below the photo.

    German-style brats with sauerkraut are an easy, hearty dish; traditional comfort food at its best. There are just two main ingredients, but there is so much going on!

    two sausages on a bed of sauerkraut with a bread roll and a glass of beer behind.

    The first thing to come to mind when thinking about German food? Probably brats and sauerkraut. Two typical German products, honest, unpretentious, tasty food perfect for a relaxed meal. We love bratwurst and sauerkraut when combined with other ingredients as well, but simply combine those two, and thereโ€™s nothing more you need.

    Learn How to Cook Sauerkraut; this simple recipe is perfect for serving with bratwurst as well. Or learn How to Cook Frozen Sausages; any of the sausages mentioned there can be served on a bed of hot kraut. And if you like pork and kraut, try this delicious Slow Cooker Pork and Sauerkraut.

    Jump to recipe
    • Ways of combining bratwurst and sauerkraut
    • Recipe ingredients
    • How to cook brats and sauerkraut?
    • FAQs
    • What to serve with them?
    • Recipe
    • Brats with Sauerkraut

    Ways of combining bratwurst and sauerkraut

    You can cook the two recipes separately. Make Bavarian sauerkraut, for instance, and cook some Brats on the Stove, Brats in the Oven, or Brats in the Air Fryer. Mix when serving. Serve with boiled or mashed potatoes.

    Brown the sausages on the grill or on the stovetop. Place sauerkraut in a saucepan, add spices and some liquid, and nestle the sausages into the cabbage. Simmer until the sausages are cooked through.

    Stuff some buns, either hot dog buns or some really good crusty rolls (preferably breakfast bread rolls, which are German-style Brรถtchen), with kraut (warm or at room temperature). Add a hot sausage and mustard (generously). Some people prefer ketchup (many kids), but I am a mustard person.

    Recipe ingredients

    Sauerkraut:

    • Either from a can, jar, bag, or fresh from a barrel at the butcher. For an authentic German taste, buy a can of German sauerkraut, as only this will ensure an authentic taste. Look for brands, like Mildessa/ Hengstenberg. (the Amazon affiliate link opens in a new tab).
    • You might find these products in larger supermarkets, maybe those with an Ethnic food section, or in German/European/Eastern European food stores.
    • Eat more sauerkraut: Meatballs and Sauerkraut or Polish Sauerkraut Stew โ€“ Bigos.

    Bratwurst:

    • German pork sausages are hearty, spicy, comforting, and utterly delicious. They can be grilled, you can make brats in the oven, brats on the stove, air fried brats. And there are dozens of different ways of including them in recipes. Try this Bratwurst Soup, for instance; it contains some amazing meatballs made of bratwurst.
    • Brats in Germany come in different shapes and sizes and are spiced differently depending on the region, but I have yet to find a sort I didnโ€™t likeโ€”they are all amazing! You can get coarsely ground or finely ground ones.
    • To make brats with sauerkraut, you can use any kind of brats you like. Or even other kinds of sausages, like smoked ones, Polish kielbasa, Italian or English sausages.

    See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

    large bowl full with german kraut with whole and cut bratwurst on top. glass of water and potato mash behind.

    How to cook brats and sauerkraut?

    • Step #1: Brown the sausages in a skillet large enough to hold the kraut as well later on. Just brown them on all sides; they should not be cooked through, as they will continue cooking with the cabbage and the rest of the ingredients. Remove from the skillet.
    • Step #2: Saute the onion for about 3 minutes. Add the peeled and diced apple and saute for another 3 minutes. Sprinkle the sugar on top and let caramelize for 1-2 minutes.
    • Step #3: Add drained sauerkraut, spices, and beer (or another cooking liquid of choice). Cover and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    • Step #4: Nestle the brats into the kraut, cover again, and continue cooking until the brats are cooked through (10-15 minutes).
    • Step #5: Check to see if they are done with a meat thermometer; the internal temperature should be 160ยฐF/ 71ยฐC. Or cut one sausage in the middle; it should not be pink anymore.

    FAQs

    How to serve brats and sauerkraut?

    Serve with boiled or mashed potatoes.
    Or stuff into buns and serve with mustard.

    What to do with leftover brats and kraut?

    Refrigerate leftovers for 2-3 days. You can reheat them in the microwave or in a saucepan. Do it on low heat, stirring the cabbage occasionally and turning the sausages.

    Can I freeze bratwurst with sauerkraut?

    You can also freeze the food for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator or on the counter. Reheat thoroughly before serving.

    german bread roll stuffed with kraut and bratwurst on a wooden board with a glass of beer.

    What to serve with them?

    • golden and shiny yeast rolls made from scratch.
      Homemade Yeast Rolls from Scratch
    • overnight yeast rolls in a small bread basket.
      Overnight Yeast Rolls
    • garlic parmesan mashed potatoes with herbs and melting butter on top.
      Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
    • two jars of homemade orange mustard and a platter of canapes.
      Homemade Orange Mustard

    Do you like this recipe?

    Please leave a good rating in the recipe card below. Stay in touch through social media: Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram. Donโ€™t forget to tag #whereismyspoon when you try a recipe!

    Recipe

    brats with sauerkraut, one sausage sliced, close up on a plate.

    Brats with Sauerkraut

    The German-style brats with sauerkraut are traditional comfort food at its best. Only two main ingredients, but so much pleasure!
    4.59 from 17 votes
    Print Pin Share GrowSaved! Rate
    Course: German Main Course
    Cuisine: German
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 420kcal
    Author: Adina
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients 

    • 4-8 bratwurst depending on size and appetite
    • 1 can of sauerkraut about 1.8 lb/ 800 g, Note 1
    • 1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil
    • 1 medium onion
    • 1 medium apple
    • 1 teaspoon sugar
    • 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
    • 1-2 bay leaves
    • 1 cup beer Note 2
    • fine sea salt and ground black pepper

    Instructions

    • Brown sausages: Heat a skillet large enough to hold the sauerkraut as well. Add 1 tablespoon oil and brown the sausages on all sides; they should not be cooked through as they will continue cooking with the kraut.
      1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil + 4-8 bratwurst
    • Chop: In the meantime, chop the onion finely, peel, and dice the apple.
      1 medium onion + 1 medium apple
    • Saute: Remove the brats from the skillet. If there isnโ€™t enough sausage fat left in the skillet, add another 1 tablespoon olive oil. Next, add the onion and saute for about 3 minutes. Add the apple and saute for another 3 minutes.
    • Caramelize: Sprinkle the sugar on top and let caramelize for 1-2 minutes.
      1 teaspoon sugar
    • Combine: Add drained sauerkraut, caraway seeds, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Stir in the beer or another cooking liquid of choice.
      1 can of sauerkraut + 1 teaspoon caraway seeds + 1-2 bay leaves + 1 cup beer/ 250 ml + fine sea salt and ground black pepper
    • Simmer sauerkraut: Cover and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    • Cook: Nestle the brats into the cabbage, cover, and cook until the brats are done, about 10-15 minutes. Check with a meat thermometer (internal temperature160ยฐF/ 71ยฐC) or by cutting one sausage in the middle; it should not be pink anymore

    Notes

    1. Sauerkraut: Either fresh (homemade or from the butchers), from a can, jar, or bag. Search for a German product for genuine taste and texture. I recommend Mildessa/Hengstenberg. (the Amazon affiliate link opens in a new tab).
    2. Sub beer with white wine, apple cider, chicken or beef stock, or apple juice.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1brat with ยผ of the sauerkraut | Calories: 420kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 18g | Cholesterol: 63mg | Sodium: 2309mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 10g
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @adinabeck or tag #WhereIsMySpoon!

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      Air Fryer Frozen Brats
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Paula says

      February 10, 2024 at 3:33 am

      I may have missed this but what brand/type of beer should be used? Havenโ€™t cooked with beer much so excited to this dish. Thank you

      Reply
      • Adina says

        February 10, 2024 at 2:46 pm

        Hi Paula. You can't do much wrong here. I normally use Pils, but a darker beer works fine too.

        Reply
    2. Karl Grosshans says

      July 02, 2023 at 9:35 pm

      Please do not use canned sauerkraut. The metal taste from the can ruins the kraut. Make your own (simple) or buy it in jars!

      Reply
      • Adina says

        July 03, 2023 at 7:16 am

        Hi Karl. The German canned sauerkraut I use is great, and I could never taste the metal. I suppose it differs from one brand to another.

        Reply
      • BG says

        August 16, 2023 at 12:14 am

        If your saurkraut tastes metallic, that's likely because the can has lost it's seal. Check your expiry date, cans (and jars) have limited shelf life. Dented cans or loose lids on jars are also suspect. Use fresh ingredients and enjoy!!

        I like to add extra onion and apple โ€” a match made in heaven with anything pork.

        Reply
    3. Gene says

      April 03, 2023 at 11:59 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious, quick, and easy to make!

      Reply
    4.59 from 17 votes (16 ratings without comment)

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