Steaming Bratwurst: How Long Does It Take?

Bratwurst is a German sausage made from pork, veal, or beef. It is usually served with potato salad or sauerkraut and placed on a white bun. Bratwurst can be cooked in a pan, on a grill, in an oven, or in an air fryer. When steaming bratwurst in a pan, the process is simple and doesn't take long. First, heat a large cast-iron skillet with vegetable oil. Then, place the bratwurst in the pan and fry for 2-3 minutes on each side. Next, pour broth into the pan, reduce the heat to medium, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes until the bratwurst reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Finally, season the bratwurst with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

Bratwurst cooking time and temperature

Bratwursts are a type of German sausage, usually made of pork but also sometimes veal or beef. They can be grilled, cooked in the oven, or cooked on a stove.

Cooking Bratwurst in the Oven

Oven-baked bratwursts should be cooked at 350ºF to 425ºF for 13-20 minutes, depending on the desired level of browning. Broiling bratwursts in the oven will take less time, around 13 minutes per side.

Cooking Bratwurst on the Stove

When cooking bratwurst on the stove, you can either parboil them first or skip that step. Parboiling involves cooking the bratwurst in water or beer at a slow boil for 10 minutes, and then pan-frying them for 3 minutes on each side. If you skip parboiling, you can cook the bratwurst in a skillet on medium heat for 2-3 minutes on each side, and then add in onions, beer, and other ingredients. The bratwurst should then be cooked for about another 10 minutes.

Grilling Bratwurst

When grilling bratwurst, it is best to use medium-low heat to avoid charring the outside of the bratwurst and splitting open the casing. Grilling bratwurst should take around 20 minutes, with the links being rotated often to ensure even cooking.

Safe Internal Temperature for Bratwurst

Regardless of the cooking method, bratwurst should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 160ºF.

Pan-frying bratwurst

Ingredients

• Bratwurst
• Vegetable oil
• Broth (or beer, apple juice, water, or chicken broth)
• Salt and pepper
• Onion
• Peppers (optional)

Method

Firstly, preheat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Spread the vegetable oil throughout the bottom of the cast-iron pan. Place the bratwurst in the pan and fry for 2-3 minutes on each side.

Next, pour the broth into the pan, reduce the heat to medium, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes until the bratwursts have an internal temperature of 160°F. You can add onion and peppers at this stage if you like.

Finally, season the brats with salt and pepper, then serve immediately.

Tips

• Cooking bratwurst in a cast-iron skillet allows for even and thorough cooking.
• Bratwurst is usually served with potato salad or sauerkraut and placed on a white bun.
• You can cook bratwurst with peppers and onions and serve with rice or in a bun.
• Cooking bratwurst in beer is a great way to add flavour.

Cooking bratwurst in the oven

How to Cook Bratwurst in the Oven:

Firstly, preheat your oven to 400°F. Place a piece of parchment paper on a rimmed baking sheet to avoid any juices from spilling over into your oven. You can also use tin foil or a smaller pan if you don't have a rimmed baking sheet.

Next, place the bratwurst on the baking sheet, making sure to spread them out and give them plenty of space. If you want to add vegetables, place them on the baking sheet first, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper before laying the bratwurst on top.

Now, bake the bratwurst for about 10 minutes on one side, and then flip them over and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until they are browned. For an extra crispy char, you can set your oven to a high broil for the last 3 minutes of cooking.

How Long to Cook Bratwurst in the Oven:

The total cooking time for bratwurst in the oven is typically around 15-20 minutes, depending on their size. It is important to ensure that the bratwurst reaches an internal temperature of 160°F to be fully cooked.

What to Serve with Bratwurst:

Bratwurst is traditionally served on a bun with toppings such as sauteed bell peppers, onions, and stone-ground mustard. It also pairs well with sides like sauerkraut, potato salad, and grilled corn on the cob.

Tips for Cooking Bratwurst in the Oven:

• If you are cooking the bratwurst with vegetables, they will need a longer cooking time, around 20-25 minutes.
• For extra flavour, you can marinate the bratwurst in beer for at least 30 minutes before baking them.
• To get a nice sear on your bratwurst, you can place the empty pan in the oven as it preheats.
• Always use a meat thermometer to check that your bratwurst are cooked to a safe internal temperature before consuming.

What to serve with bratwurst

There are many side dishes that can be served with bratwurst. Here are some ideas:

Salads

A German potato salad is a popular choice to serve with bratwurst. This typically involves using unpeeled red potatoes, vinegar, and bacon grease, and is served warm. A cucumber salad is another option, especially during the summer. This combines juicy cucumbers with a sour cream and mayo dressing. A tomato salad is also a refreshing choice, especially when made with fresh garden tomatoes.

Vegetables

Cabbage and onions are a simple, inexpensive, and healthy option. You can also try coleslaw, which is easy to prepare and pairs well with the rich and smoky flavours of the bratwurst. Grilled corn on the cob is another tasty side dish, especially when the bratwurst is also grilled.

Potatoes

Potato pancakes, potato wedges, and mashed potatoes are all great choices to serve with bratwurst. For something more indulgent, you can make loaded mashed potato casserole, which often includes classic baked potato toppings like bacon.

Breads

Soft pretzel bites are a delicious pairing with bratwurst, especially when served with a side of sauerkraut and an ice-cold beer. You can also serve bratwurst in a bun, either in the style of a hot dog or with warm sauerkraut and onions on top.

Other Sides

Macaroni salad, mac and cheese, and baked beans are all crowd-pleasing options that go well with bratwurst. Sweet potato fries are also a tasty choice, especially when oven-baked alongside the bratwurst.

Bratwurst cooking methods

On the Stove

Bratwurst can be cooked on the stove in a skillet or deep pan. This is a good method if you are only cooking a few bratwursts. You can also cook them in a pressure cooker or crockpot/slow cooker.

Pan-Frying

To cook bratwurst in a pan, first heat oil in the pan. Then sear the bratwurst on medium-high heat for around 3 minutes on each side. Next, add sliced onions and cook for a further 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add a cup of beer, broth, or water to the pan, cover, and cook on low heat for around 10 minutes, turning the bratwurst halfway through. Finally, remove the lid and cook for another 5-7 minutes, until the bratwurst is browned.

Boiling/Parboiling

Alternatively, you can boil bratwurst on the stove. Fill a large pot with water, enough to cover three-quarters of the bratwurst. Bring the water to a boil, then add the bratwurst and turn the heat down to a simmer. Cook for around 20 minutes, until the bratwurst reaches an internal temperature of 160°F. Transfer to a hot skillet and cook covered for 3 minutes for a crispy finish.

In the Oven

Cooking bratwurst in the oven is a good method if you are cooking a large batch. You can bake or broil bratwurst in the oven.

Baking

Preheat the oven to 350-425°F. Place the bratwurst on a rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper, leaving at least 1 inch of space around each sausage. Bake for around 15 minutes, turning halfway through, until the bratwurst reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.

Broiling

Move the oven rack to the center and turn the broiler on high. Place the bratwurst on a broiling pan lined with aluminum foil, again leaving space around each sausage. Broil for around 13 minutes on each side, turning frequently to avoid burning.

On the Grill

Grilling bratwurst is a good way to give them a smoky flavor. Preheat your grill to medium-low heat and brush the grates with oil. Place the bratwurst on the grill and cook for around 20 minutes, turning frequently with tongs. Check that the bratwurst has reached an internal temperature of at least 160°F before serving.

In an Air Fryer

Air frying bratwurst is a quick and easy method. Preheat the air fryer to 360°F and place the bratwurst in the basket, leaving space around each sausage. Cook for 11-15 minutes, turning halfway through, until the bratwurst is browned.

Frequently asked questions