Grilled bratwurst is a simple and delicious dish, perfect for a barbecue or a casual dinner. This recipe will guide you through the process of grilling savory sausages to perfection.
Grilled Bratwurst is the most wanted grilled meal this summer!
Bratwurst is a type of German sausage typically made from pork, beef, or veal. It’s seasoned with a blend of spices such as nutmeg, caraway, ginger, or coriander and is either grilled, pan-fried, or simmered.
Unlike some sausages that are smoked or dried, bratwurst is usually fresh and must be cooked before eating. It also has a distinct seasoning profile and often uses a coarser grind of meat.
It’s typically grilled or pan-fried, often after being simmered in beer or broth to enhance flavor and juiciness.
Boiling is not necessary but often recommended to ensure the sausage is cooked through evenly. Simmering in beer and onions before grilling is a popular method for added flavor and moisture.
Bratwurst is commonly served in a bun with mustard and sauerkraut, or as part of a platter with potatoes, cabbage, or pretzels. In Germany, regional variations influence how it’s prepared and served.
Classic toppings include mustard, sauerkraut, grilled onions, and pickles. In the U.S., it’s common to serve bratwurst in a bun like a hot dog.
Most traditional bratwursts are gluten-free, but always check the label or ask the butcher to confirm, especially if breadcrumbs or beer are included in the recipe
Ingredients
- 4 bratwurst sausages preferably uncooked
- 4 hot dog buns or other type of sandwich rolls
- 1 medium onion sliced
- 1/4 cup mustard your choice of yellow or spicy mustard
- 1/4 cup sauerkraut optional
Instructions
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- Place the bratwurst sausages on the grill.
- Grill the sausages for about 20 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are browned and cooked through.
- If using, grill the sliced onion alongside the sausages until softened and slightly charred.
- Toast the buns on the grill for 1-2 minutes until slightly crispy.
- Serve the grilled bratwurst in buns topped with mustard, onions, and sauerkraut if desired.
Nutrition
I used chicken bratwurst instead, turned out good… not as good as pork tho.
Pork bratwurst is definitely the classic choice, but chicken can work too. Did you add anything else to it? Just curious!
Glad to hear it turned out good! Chicken bratwurst is a great alternative for those who want a leaner option. Just gotta keep trying until you find the best combo!
Grilled onions are the best part! Yum! Also sauerkraut is a must! ✨
Onions are good but I’m telling you, ketchup is better than mustard! 😜
I totally agree! Grilled onions add so much flavor! But sauerkraut? I’m not a fan myself. 🤷♂️
I don’t know… I feel like bratwurst should be boiled first. Is grilling legit?
Grilling is totally legit! Boiling just makes them soggy. Trust me, grilled bratwurst are way better!
Brats?! Where I’m from we eat hot dogs… this ain’t for us.
Hot dogs are great too! But you gotta try brats, they’re way better on a grill! 😋
Ugh, I don’t know about this brat business… Sounds weird. Where’s the ketchup?
lol why do people need instructions for grilling sausages? Just throw ’em on the fire! 🔥
These bratwurst are just awesome! My family loved them. Will definitely make again.
Grilling onions is a must! Adds a nice sweetness to the bratwurst. Yummy!
I totally agree! Grilled onions are the best! They make everything taste better. I always add extra, lol.
Grilling onions? Really? I never thought of that… sounds kinda odd to me but maybe worth a try?
Easiest recipe ever. I made these for my BBQ and everybody devoured them. Thanks!
Wasn’t too impressed. The recipe just felt kinda plain with nothing special about it. Maybe try adding some spices?
Delicious! I’m gonna make this every weekend!
That’s awesome! Bratwursts are the best on the grill! Can’t wait for summer BBQs!
Every weekend? Really? You won’t get tired of it? Kinda sounds boring after a while…
Idk, I think this recipe is too simple. I need more flavors, like garlic or herbs.
Bratwurst is overrated. I mean, it’s just sausage in a bun, right? 🤷♂️
Just a sausage? You must’ve had some bad bratwurst! They can be so juicy and tasty if made right! 🔥
I get where you’re coming from, but there’s something special about the smoky flavor of grilled bratwurst. It’s just not the same as a regular sausage! 😋
Sooo good!! I used spicy mustard and added jalapeños. Perfect for my BBQ!
This is not how you make bratwurst! Real ones are boiled before grilling! Just saying!
This recipe is awesome! Just like at the fair! Can’t wait to try it.
10/10 would recommend! Even my kids loved it!
Glad to hear that! Kids can be picky eaters, so that’s awesome!
Absolutely loved it! The bratwurst turned out so juicy and flavorful. Will make again for sure!
It was okay but I prefer my hot dogs. I guess I’m not a fan of bratwurst after all.
Not a fan. The brats turned out dry. Maybe I overcooked them?
My husband loved this recipe! He is a bratwurst fanatic. We added some spicy relish too. Just wow!
I don’t really get the hype. Tried making them once and they were so dry. What’s the secret?
So glad to hear that! Bratwurst is the best! Spicy relish sounds like a great addition!
It was okay. The sausages were nice, but I forgot to add the onions and they looked a bit sad without them. Next time!
Onions make everything better! Can’t believe you forgot them! But glad the sausages were nice!
Yeah, that does sound a bit sad! But sausages are good any way! Grilling is the best!
The instructions are clear, but I wish it said what internal temp to cook to. I grilled “until done” like it says, and it was okay, just not perfect.
Yeah I get what you mean. “Until done” is vague—brats can be done on the outside way before they’re fully cooked. I always go by internal temp (like 160°F-ish for sausage) and then they come out way more consistent.
i usually just go by color too lol. if they look cooked and no pink, im happy. temps are nice but i dont got a thermometer, so this is fine
Why isn’t there cheese on this? Like I thought that was normal for bratwurst!
This is my go-to recipe for summer BBQs! The bratwurst turns out perfect every time.
Did I read that right? Only 20 minutes for all that cooking? Seems too quick.
Can you substitute with hotdogs? I dunno where to find bratwurst around here.
I think hotdogs could work, but they ain’t as good as bratwurst! Still, if that’s all you got, go for it! Just grill em the same way.
I don’t like sauerkraut, but mustard is a must. Good recipe tho!
My brother made these last week, and they were rly good! I was surprised.
Wow, they sound delicious! I’m definitely trying this out for my next BBQ!
Why mustard AND sauerkraut? Seems too much tangy stuff. I swapped the sauerkraut for ketchup and it was… fine. Probably not authentic but I liked it.
Honestly, I get the concern—mustard + sauerkraut can be a lot of tang. But together they actually balance the richness of the bratwurst pretty well. If you want less bite, your ketchup swap makes sense.
I like that it’s basically foolproof: grill, toast buns, add toppings. I might add a little relish too because… why not.
Grill employ! I think I do it better. U ever tried grillin with beer? Super good!
I swapped the hot dog buns for tortillas and it was weird but good!
The mustard + sauerkraut combo is doing the heavy lifting here. I skipped sauerkraut once and it felt… wrong, lol.
Sounds easy enough. I’m gonna try but I might burn them 🤣.
This ain’t real cooking, just throwin’ stuff on a grill. Bro, come on!!
This was absolutely delicious! The bratwurst turned out perfectly grilled and juicy. I will definitely be making these again!
I don’t know, grillin’ bratwurst ain’t easy. Sometimes they get burn! Maybe not for me.
I agree! Bratwurst is amazing when grilled! I’ve tried this recipe, and my family loved it too!
Meh, not a fan of bratwurst. I prefer hot dogs! But guess it could be good for others.
This recipe is a hit at my BBQs! Everyone loved it! 😊
5 stars! BBQ vibes were on point. Made these for the game night and they were a hit.
Awesome to hear! Game nights are way better with good food. Will definitely try this recipe!
Not my favorite. I prefer my hot dogs boiled. Grilling made ’em taste too smoky. But the mustard was good.
Tasted great! But be careful when grilling, I burned my first batch 😅. Love the sauerkraut addition!
20 minutes feels a little long? My sausages usually take less, but maybe it depends on thickness. Still, they cooked through so no complaints.
Grillin’ isn’t a science! Just throw dem sausages on the fire and see what happens! 😂
Haha, you’re right! It’s all about the fun! Can’t mess up a good sausage! 🎉
20 minutes seems about right, but mine took closer to 25 because the sausages were thick. Still turned out great though.
The instructions are clear, but “medium-high” is vague. My grill runs hot, so I had to lower it halfway.
Yeah, “medium-high” is definitely vague. I usually treat it as “hot enough to brown but not flame up,” so your adjustment makes sense—turning it down halfway is smart if your grill runs hot.
Tried it but the bratwurst was too greasy for my taste. Maybe I did something wrong?
I dunno, mine weren’t greasy at all. Are you using a different brand? Maybe you could try grilling them for less time?
I love bratwurst but yeah, they can be greasy sometimes. Make sure to check the fat content next time! Maybe try a leaner sausage? 😅
YUMMY!!!
I totally agree! Nothing beats a bratwurst on the grill. 😋
Meh
Grilling these babies is the best! I added some peppers too, and yumm!
Tasty, but I’m confused on why grilled onions are included? Seems unnecessary.
Grilled onions are awesome! They add sweetness and flavor to the bratwurst. You might like it once you try them.
I don’t really get it either, seems like a waste of time. Just eat the sausage and bun.
Meh. 20 minutes is random. Also, I don’t have a grill—can you air fry? or is it gonna explode lol
Why would you put sauerkraut on a hot dog? That’s just wrong!
Needs ketchup. That is all.
This recipe is fantastic! The bratwurst came out so juicy! Will definitely make again.
I tried this but my bratwurst took closer to 25–30 minutes. Maybe my sausages were thicker. Still came out juicy though, and the toasted buns were a win.
I don’t like sauerkraut, but this still was pretty good. Used salsa instead. Yum!
Pretty good! I like how simple it is. Next time I might parboil the onions first though, they took longer than my sausages to get right.
These were okay, but I wanted more flavor. I think I would’ve added peppers or a splash of beer/sauteed onion. Still, simple enough.
meh. not bad, but i expected more flavor. maybe i need better sausages.
I’m not a huge sauerkraut person, so I skipped it. The mustard + grilled onion combo still tasted awesome.
Honestly that sounds perfect—mustard and grilled onions are doing all the heavy lifting. If you’re not into sauerkraut, skipping it is totally fine.
Do you have to grill them? I don’t have a grill, can I just bake them in the oven?
Why not boil them first to make sure they cook through? The grill-only method feels a little risky.
I get the worry, but if you grill at medium-high and keep an eye on time, they usually cook through just fine. Boiling can make them less snappy and more watery on the grill. I’d rather grill and cut one open to check for doneness.
I didn’t preheat the grill and they took longer. Should’ve read the instructions better!
It’s all good! We all learn from our mistakes. Hope they still turned out tasty!
You should’ve known better! Always preheat, that’s basic cooking.
Not bad, but the measurements feel off—like 1/4 cup mustard for 4 sausages? I ended up using way more because mustard is life. Also buns need longer to toast.
I tried this and my kids loved it! The onions add a nice touch. Thanks for sharing!
I’m skeptical. Sauerkraut optional sounds like you either go all in or don’t. Also, should I pierce the bratwurst? Mine split a little, oops.
Honestly I don’t pierce them. If you do, all the juice leaks out and they get dry. Your split is probably just the casing being kinda weird. Next time, maybe medium heat and don’t rush it—20 mins sounds right. Sauerkraut is fine but not “required” like people act.
I get the skepticism, but sauerkraut really isn’t mandatory—think of it as an optional tang boost. I’ve done these with just mustard + onions and they’re still great. Also, if your brat split a bit, that’s not the end of the world—just don’t pierce them more than you have to.
5 stars. Seriously.
This seemed too simple. I added some spices and cheese to the bratwurst, made it way better!
I like your twist! Spices really take it up a notch. What did you add?
Simple and hits the spot. I like that it doesn’t overcomplicate the bratwurst—just grill and build the classic toppings.
hot dogs r better, bratwurst is too fancy for me lol