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.
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Recipe Information
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
- Mustard or your favorite condiments
- Sauerkraut (optional)
Instructions
In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat.
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.
Pour in the beer and bring to a simmer. Add the salt, pepper, and optional caraway seeds for extra flavor.
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.
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.
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.
If preparing in advance, store the cooked brats and onion mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
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.
Toast the buns on the grill for 1-2 minutes, if desired.
Serve the grilled bratwurst in buns, topped with mustard, sauerkraut, onions from the beer bath, or your favorite condiments.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3819 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 219.1 g | 281% | |
| Saturated Fat | 85.7 g | 428% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 508 mg | 169% | |
| Sodium | 8364 mg | 364% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 284.7 g | 104% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 20.0 g | 71% | |
| Total Sugars | 30.7 g | ||
| Protein | 117.0 g | 234% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 508 mg | 39% | |
| Iron | 20.2 mg | 112% | |
| Potassium | 2386 mg | 51% | |
*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.
