Steaming Bratwurst: A Quick, Easy, And Delicious Guide

Bratwurst is a German sausage made from pork, veal, or beef, and is usually served with potato salad or sauerkraut and placed on a white bun. There are two types of bratwurst available at your local grocery store: uncooked and precooked. The precooked variety is usually found in the hot dog section, while the raw bratwurst is typically located in the meat market counter. Bratwurst can be cooked in a variety of ways, including grilling, baking, steaming, air frying, pressure cooking, and crockpot cooking. One popular method is to steam the bratwurst, which helps to impart flavor and preserve moisture in the sausages. To steam bratwurst, start with raw sausage and use a steamer basket placed inside a large pot filled with enough beer or water to reach the bottom holes of the basket. Add sliced onions and chopped garlic to the liquid for extra flavor if desired. Bring the liquid to a simmer, then add the bratwurst to the steamer basket, ensuring they are piled irregularly to allow steam to pass through. Cover the pot and steam the sausages for 10-15 minutes, or until cooked through.

How to steam bratwurst

Bratwurst is a German sausage made from pork, veal, or beef, and is usually served with potato salad or sauerkraut and placed on a white bun. You can find bratwurst in both pre-cooked and fresh, uncooked varieties.

Firstly, steaming helps to impart flavour to the sausages and preserve their moisture. It is recommended to use raw sausage, rather than pre-cooked, when steaming bratwurst.

To steam bratwurst, pour enough beer, or an equivalent amount of water or another liquid, into a large pot so that it comes up through the bottom holes of a steamer basket when placed inside. You can add sliced onions and chopped garlic to the beer for additional flavour. Fit the steamer basket into the pot and bring the beer to a simmer over high heat, then reduce to medium heat. Place the bratwurst in the steamer basket, allowing them to be piled irregularly so that steam can get through. Cover the pot and let the bratwurst steam until cooked through, for 10-15 minutes, depending on the number of sausages and their thickness. Check the liquid level once or twice during cooking, and add more if needed.

Once cooked, turn off the heat and remove the steamer basket. You can then serve the bratwurst with your preferred toppings. If you want to brown the sausages, you can place them on a grill or in a pan, turning them frequently for an even sear.

Other Ways to Cook Bratwurst:

Bratwurst can also be cooked in a pan, in the oven, in a crockpot, on a grill, in an air fryer, or in a pressure cooker.

What to serve with bratwurst

Classic Sides

If you're looking for a traditional pairing, you can't go wrong with sauerkraut, a staple of German cuisine. This fermented cabbage dish is a classic companion to bratwurst and can be grilled for a few minutes to add a little crunch. For an extra kick, add some caraway seeds to your sauerkraut.

Salads and Vegetables

A refreshing salad can be a great way to balance out the rich flavours of bratwurst. A German potato salad, made with unpeeled red potatoes, vinegar, and bacon grease, is a popular choice. You could also try a Northern German creamy cucumber salad, or a tomato salad with fresh garden or cherry tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, and a kick of garlic.

If you're a fan of cabbage, why not try Oma's German red cabbage recipe? It's a unique and tasty dish that's sure to impress. Or, for a simple and healthy option, go for grilled corn on the cob, slathered in butter.

Carbs

For a heartier meal, pair your bratwurst with some carbs. Macaroni salad, mac and cheese, and soft pretzel bites are all delicious options. If you're feeling adventurous, try making German Spätzle, a chewier version of egg noodles and dumplings, or potato pancakes (Kartoffelpuffer).

Condiments and Toppings

When it comes to toppings, grilled onions and peppers are a popular choice, and you can't go wrong with a good German mustard or BBQ sauce. For something different, try peanut butter, horseradish, or cream cheese.

Drinks

And let's not forget the drinks! Bratwurst pairs well with a malty beer, but if that's not your style, a crisp and fruity Riesling or a sparkling apple cider could be the perfect complement.

With so many options to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect combination to suit your taste!

How to cook bratwurst in a pan

Ingredients

• Bratwurst sausages
• Butter
• Olive oil
• Beer
• Onion
• Bun or bread
• Condiments of choice

Method

Cooking bratwurst in a pan is a great alternative to grilling, especially if you don't have access to a grill or the ability to smoke the sausages. It is also a quick and easy way to cook bratwurst, with most recipes taking under 30 minutes.

Begin by melting some butter in a cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. You can also use olive oil, vegetable, or corn oil, but butter will give the best flavor. Once melted, add your bratwurst and sear for around 3 minutes on each side, or until deep golden brown.

After searing, cover the pan and continue cooking over medium-low heat for around 5 minutes, turning the bratwurst once or twice to ensure even cooking. The hot steam inside the pan will keep the sausages moist and promote faster cooking.

Once the bratwurst are cooked, you can let them rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the meat to reabsorb some of the juices. This will ensure the sausages are juicy when you cut or bite into them.

For an extra flavor boost, you can add some sliced onion and a cup of your favorite beer to the pan after searing the bratwurst. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat and continue cooking until the internal temperature of the sausages reaches 160°F. You can also add some sauerkraut to the pan to cook with the bratwurst.

Serve your bratwurst hot, on a bun or with your favorite side dish, and enjoy!

How to grill bratwurst

Preparation

Bratwurst can be purchased pre-cooked or raw. If you're using raw bratwurst, it is recommended to parboil the sausages in water before grilling to ensure they are cooked through. This can be done either on the stovetop or over a grill. Fill a large pot three-quarters full of water and bring it to a boil. Add the bratwurst and reduce the heat to a simmer for 10 minutes.

Grilling

After parboiling, remove the bratwurst from the water and pat them dry. Place the sausages over medium direct heat on a grill. Be careful not to put the sausages over high heat, as this can cause the casings to crack. Grill each side for 3-4 minutes until the casing is browned.

Alternatively, if you are grilling raw bratwurst without parboiling, place them over medium-low heat and turn them every minute to promote even cooking.

Serving

Once the bratwurst are browned, they are ready to eat. Remove them from the grill, let them cool, and serve with your desired toppings and sides.

Tips

• It is recommended to use water for parboiling, as boiling in beer can give the bratwurst an acrid flavor. If you want to incorporate beer, you can put the cooked bratwurst in a beer bath after grilling.
• Bratwurst can also be finished in a broiler or frying pan if a grill is unavailable.
• To check if the bratwurst is cooked through, use an instant-read meat thermometer to ensure an internal temperature of 160-165°F.

How to cook bratwurst in an air fryer

Firstly, you will need to gather your ingredients and materials. For this recipe, you will only need a pack of uncooked bratwurst sausages. You can use any brand of bratwurst, but a popular choice is Johnsonville. You will also need an air fryer and, optionally, some cooking spray or oil.

Before you begin cooking, it is recommended that you bring your bratwurst to room temperature, as this will ensure more even cooking.

Now, you can start cooking! Begin by preheating your air fryer to 350°F (some sources suggest 300°F). If you are using cooking spray or oil, grease the air fryer basket.

Next, arrange your bratwurst in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring there is space for the hot air to circulate. Close the air fryer and cook the bratwurst for 12 to 15 minutes (some sources suggest 8 to 10 minutes), flipping them over halfway through the cooking time. The bratwurst is done when it reaches an internal temperature of at least 160°F (some sources suggest 165°F).

Once the bratwurst is cooked to the desired temperature, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

And that's it! Your juicy and crispy air-fried bratwurst is now ready to be enjoyed. You can serve it with a variety of toppings and sides, such as onions, peppers, mustard, ketchup, sauerkraut, or relish, and pair it with soft buns or crusty rolls.

Frequently asked questions