Cooking beer bratwurst in the oven is another fun way to prepare the classic German sausage other than on the grill. This beer bratwurst in the oven is the perfect meal to make for Octoberfest, Superbowl game day, or any weeknight dinner. The bratwurst is braised slowly in a small amount of beer until cooked through and tender. You can serve it as a dish for a dinner meal with or without the hot dog buns.
Cooking beer bratwurst in the oven is simple and very easy to clean up. Just put all of the ingredients in one pot, set the timer, then braise in the oven until the sausages are fully cooked.
For all of you summer grillmasters out there, cooking bratwurst in the oven may not come naturally, but I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by the taste and quite happy about the time savings. It's also inexpensive to make.
Beer Bratwurst in the Oven - The Ingredients
This beer bratwurst dish doesn't require a ton of seasoning, yet is just delicious with its pure flavors shining through.
To cook bratwurst in the oven you will need bratwurst, sauerkraut, apple, pale ale beer, and mustard. This combination of ingredients creates the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and salty flavors to the dish.
Bratwurst. In this recipe, I used Kirkland Signature Original Bratwurst. It's about $8.49 per 56 oz.
Sauerkraut. I also bought the Sauerkraut from my local Costco. It's the Wildbrine Raw Organic Sauerkraut, 42 oz for $8.49.
Apple. I used Honeycrisp apples, unpeeled. You can also use different types of tart apples such as Pink Lady and Braeburn.
Mustard. I just used a small amount of dijon mustard. It's a great addition to sauces and it pairs well with sausages.
Spices. I just used a small amount of salt and black pepper. There is no need to spice it up heavily. As long as you use a good-quality bratwurst and sauerkraut you won't even need or want the extra spices.
How to Cook Beer Bratwurst in the Oven
Cooking bratwurst in the oven is basically braising the sausages, apple, and onion in beer. Here are some steps to follow.
Step 1. Brown the Bratwurst
In a braiser, heat about a tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the bratwurst for about 2 minutes on each side. Transfer the bratwurst to a plate.
Step 2. Cook the Aromatic Vegetables and Add Beer
Add sliced onions to the braiser. Cook for about 5-7 minutes or until golden brown. Add garlic and paprika then stir for about 1 minute.
Step 3. Braise
Add beer, sauerkraut, dijon mustard, bratwurst, and chopped apples to the braiser. Cook for 2 minutes then turn off the heat.
Cover the pot and braise in the oven at 400°F for about 40 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F using a meat thermometer.
FAQ and Cooking Tips
Transfer the leftover cooked bratwurst to an airtight container. Properly stored, it can last up to 4 days in the fridge or 1-2 months in the freezer.
When reheating leftovers, be sure they reach 165°F as measured with a food thermometer. Reheat the leftover bratwurst in the oven at 350°F for about 20-30 minutes, cover with foil or a lid. Or, reheat the leftover bratwurst in the microwave on low, stopping every 30 seconds to stir.
Check Out More Tasty Recipes
- Baked Sausages with Mixed Vegetables
- Sausage with White Beans
- Bratwurst Pasta Recipe
- Chinese Sausage Fried Rice
- Instant Pot Sausage Gnocchi Soup
Cooking Bratwurst in the Oven
Equipment
- A braiser with a lid or regular casserole dish and cover with alumunium foil.
Ingredients
- 5 fresh Bratwurst links
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, (sliced)
- 1 garlic, (minced) - optional
- 2 cups sauerkraut, (drained, full packed)
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon ground paprika, (optional)
- 2 small Honeycrisp apples, (unpeeled and diced)
- 1¼ cups pale ale beer
- salt, (to taste)
- black pepper, (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- In a braiser, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the bratwurst for about 2 minutes on each side. Transfer the bratwurst to a plate.
- Add sliced onions, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. Cook for about 5-7 minutes or until golden brown. Add garlic and paprika then stir for about 1 minute. Add dijon mustard, sauerkraut, beer, sausages, and apples. Cook for 2 minutes then turn off the heat. Adjust the seasoning with salt if needed.
- Cover the pot with a lid (or use foil if you are using a regular casserole dish). Braise for 40 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F using a meat thermometer.Check the mixture about halfway through, if it's too dry you can add about ¼ cup of beer if necessary.
- Remove the pot from the oven. Stir the sauerkraut mixture before serving.
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