Make Ahead Grilled Brats and Beer Wisconsin Style

Savor the bold, comforting flavors of Wisconsin with this Make Ahead Grilled Brats and Beer recipe — the ultimate crowd-pleaser for cookouts, game days, or backyard gatherings. Featuring juicy bratwurst sausages simmered in a rich beer bath infused with buttery onions, garlic, and optional caraway seeds, this dish delivers the perfect balance of savory and hearty. The make-ahead preparation allows you to simmer the brats to perfection in advance, making grilling day stress-free and ensuring a quick finish with a perfect char. Serve these beer-infused brats on toasted buns with your favorite toppings, like tangy mustard, sauerkraut, or the reserved caramelized onions for a true Wisconsin-style feast. Perfect for beer and brat lovers alike, this recipe combines classic flavors with easy, meal-prep-friendly versatility.

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 6 Bratwurst sausages
• 4 cups Beer (lager or pilsner)
• 2 Onion, sliced
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 2 Garlic cloves, minced
• 0.5 teaspoons Salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoons Caraway seeds (optional)
• 6 Bratwurst buns
• 0 Mustard or your favorite condiments
• 0 Sauerkraut (optional)

Directions

Step 1

In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the sliced onions and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened and lightly golden.

Step 3

Pour in the beer and bring to a simmer. Add the salt, pepper, and optional caraway seeds for extra flavor.

Step 4

Carefully place the bratwurst sausages into the beer and onion mixture. The liquid should cover the sausages; if not, add more beer or a little water to ensure they are submerged.

Step 5

Simmer the bratwurst over low heat for 20 minutes, turning them occasionally to ensure even cooking. Do not let the mixture boil, as this can cause the sausages to burst.

Step 6

Once the sausages are fully cooked, remove them from the beer bath and allow them to cool slightly. Reserve the beer and onion mixture for serving, if desired.

Step 7

If preparing in advance, store the cooked brats and onion mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Step 8

When ready to serve, heat a grill to medium-high heat. Grill the bratwurst for 5-7 minutes, turning frequently, until they are browned and have grill marks.

Step 9

Toast the buns on the grill for 1-2 minutes, if desired.

Step 10

Serve the grilled bratwurst in buns, topped with mustard, sauerkraut, onions from the beer bath, or your favorite condiments.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2268.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3819.2

Total Fat 219.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 85.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 508.0mg	0%
Sodium 8363.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 284.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.0g	0%
Total Sugars 30.7g
Protein 117.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 508.3mg	0%
Iron 20.2mg	0%
Potassium 2386.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 55.1%

Protein: 13.1%

Carbs: 31.8%