Johnsonville Beer Bratwurst Recipe (2024)

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These Johnsonville beer brats are cooked in juicy onions, then stuffed into buns and slathered in chili and a drizzle of ketchup. Comfort food at its best!

Johnsonville Beer Bratwurst Recipe (1)

There’s nothing like gathering a group of family and friends around one of the most great tasting recipes on the planet – Johnsonville beer brats smothered in chili and ketchup. I can’t even count how many times I’ve had unexpected guests and leaned into this recipe to get a delicious meal on the table with minimal fuss and great pride. By grilling the brats first and finishing them in the oven with caramelized onions, you get all the smokiness of grilling and the juiciness of baking. The result? A brat that packs some pretty big taste.

Making Johnsonville Beer Brats

Making these Johnsonville beer brats only requires 6 simple ingredients and a handful of easy steps. Below, find an overview of the recipe before you dive in.

  • Cook the Onions: Slice the onions into half rings and cook them in a skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown.
  • Grill the Brats: Grill the brats on all sides.
  • Bake the Brats: Place the caramelized onions in the bottom of a baking dish and top them with the grilled brats. Then, cover the baking dish with foil and bake the brats at 350°F for 15-25 minutes.
  • Assemble the Brats: Finally, place a brat in a hot dog bun and top it with chili and a drizzle of ketchup. Repeat until all your brats are assembled. Enjoy!

Using frozen beer brats? That’s totally fine. Take them out of the freezer and thaw them in the refrigerator overnight.

Johnsonville Beer Bratwurst Recipe (2)
Johnsonville Beer Bratwurst Recipe (3)
Johnsonville Beer Bratwurst Recipe (4)
Johnsonville Beer Bratwurst Recipe (5)

Tips for Making the Tastiest Beer Brats

Here you’ll find a couple of pro tips to help you make the tastiest Johnsonville beer brats.

  • Only grill the brats until you get those signature grill marks. Of note, you’ll want to avoid overcooking the brats since they will finish cooking all the way through in the oven. Once you get grill marks on all sides, immediately remove them from the fire.
  • Check the internal temperature of the brats with a meat thermometer. If you’re unsure if your brats are cooked all the way through, check that the internal temperature has reached 160°F. To do so, poke the meat thermometer into the link sideways to ensure your testing the center. If you need a good recommendation, this model is a great starting point.
  • Only assemble the brats right before you plan to eat them. The chili will turn the bun soggy really fast, so only put the brats together right before you plan on chowing down.

Don’t have a grill? No problem. Place the brats in a skillet filled with one cup water. Place the brats in and bring them to a gentle boil. Discard the water and sear the brats on all sides in the same skillet, then finish them in the oven as directed.

Johnsonville Beer Bratwurst Recipe (6)

Ideas for Serving these Johnsonville Beer Brats

While these beer brats are filling all on their own, serve them with an assortment of sides for a well-rounded feast. If you want to stick to the comfort food theme, pair them with air fryer french fries and a homemade caesar salad. Or, for a fun spin on American hot dogs and potato salad, pair them with an Olivier salad (a Slavic-style potato salad).

Storing Your Leftovers

If you don’t plan to eat the brats right away, keep them stored in a separate airtight container from the chili. They should keep for up to 3 days. To reheat the brats, cook them in a skillet on the stovetop with a bit of oil until warmed through. To reheat the chili, pop it in a sauce pan over medium heat or zap it in the microwave for a couple of minutes.

FAQ

What are Johnsonville beer brats made of?

Johnsonville beer brats are made with ground pork and beer.

Can you cook Johnsonville brats in the oven?

Cooking Johnsonville brats in the oven is a perfectly acceptable method. You don’t always have to bust out the grill to enjoy brats!

Where can you buy Johnsonville beer brats?

You can pickup Johnsonville beer brats anywhere you get your weekly groceries. They are typically sold in the refrigerated aisle near the other sausage and hot dogs.

Are Johnsonville beer brats precooked?

No, Johnsonville beer brats are not precooked. They come as raw meat and require that you follow the safe handling instructions on the package to prepare them properly.

Other Sausage Recipes

  • Breakfast In Bed Casserole – Tasty potato and sausage casserole
  • One-Pan Sausage And Vegetable Bake – Southern style seafood and sausage bake
  • Sausage Kale Soup – Hearty sausage and kale soup
  • Creamy One-Pot Pasta – Sausage and creamy red sauce pasta

Recipe

Johnsonville Beer Bratwurst Recipe (7)

Johnsonville Beer Bratwurst Recipe

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Servings

10 Servings

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin

These Johnsonville beer brats are perfect for your next outdoor dinner. Thery're tender, juicy, and smothered in chili and ketchup!

Ingredients

  • 10 beer bratwurst
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion
  • 2 cups chili homemade or store-bought
  • 10 hot dog buns
  • 1/4 cup ketchup

US UnitsMetric

Instructions

  • Slice the onions into half wrings. In an oiled skillet over medium heat, cook the onions until golden brown.

  • Brown the brats on all sides using a BBQ grill.

  • Spread the onions on the bottom of a baking dish. Top the onions with the grilled brats.

  • Cover baking dish with a lid or foil and bake the brats at 350°F for 15 minutes, or until fully cooked through.

  • Serve brats with buns, chili and ketchup. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Johnsonville Beer Bratwurst Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 419 Calories from Fat 225

% Daily Value*

Fat 25g38%

Saturated Fat 8g40%

Polyunsaturated Fat 3g

Monounsaturated Fat 12g

Cholesterol 58mg19%

Sodium 1090mg45%

Potassium 501mg14%

Carbohydrates 32g11%

Fiber 3g12%

Sugar 5g6%

Protein 16g32%

Vitamin A 208IU4%

Vitamin C 2mg2%

Calcium 107mg11%

Iron 4mg22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Posted September 13, 2022

Johnsonville Beer Bratwurst Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What kind of beer is in Johnsonville beer brats? ›

Johnsonville Beer Brats are made with quality Wisconsin beer and only premium cuts of pork, delivering a juicy, robust flavor.

What is the difference between beer brats and bratwurst? ›

A specialty of Wisconsin, “beer brats” are a traditional game-day and Oktoberfest dish of juicy bratwurst simmered in beer and onions before grilling, and piled into rolls with lots of grainy mustard and sauerkraut (or other pickled vegetables).

Should you boil beer brats before grilling? ›

Boiling brats in beer will ensure that they are cooked through before grilling so that they don't burn and dry out on the grill. This will make them more flavorful and juicy. The boiling time will vary, but the general rule of thumb is that they will be fully cooked with 10 minutes of boiling.

What's the best way to cook Johnsonville brats on the stove? ›

Cook over medium-high heat until browned, about 5 minutes, turning links often. Reduce heat to medium-low. Carefully add ½ cup water to skillet. Cover and simmer for 12 minutes until the internal temperature is 160°F.

Are Johnsonville beer brats fully cooked? ›

Perfect for cookouts and gatherings, these smoked sausages are fully cooked, made with 100% premium pork and a perfect blend of spices. * Percentages based upon a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Does boiling brats in beer make a difference? ›

- Beer: Cooking sausages in beer can impart a unique, slightly bitter, and malty flavor to the sausages. The beer can infuse the sausages with its own taste, which can vary depending on the type of beer used (e.g., lager, stout, ale). This method often results in a richer and more complex flavor profile.

Why are Johnsonville brats so good? ›

The original family recipe that started an American fun food revolution, it's Johnsonville Original Brats! They're made with only premium cuts of pork and seasoned with a secret blend of herbs and spices, delivering a juicy, robust flavor.

Why do you soak brats in beer? ›

Bratwurst is a raw, pork-based sausage that must be thoroughly cooked before serving. The idea behind soaking bratwurst in hot beer prior to grilling is they cook all the way through ahead of time, so the grill master needn't worry about serving an undercooked pork sausage.

Do you poke holes in beer brats? ›

If using pre-cooked bratwurst, you are just warming them thoroughly. Grill them to get some nice color on them, then add into the skillet with the onions. Add bratwurst and onions into the same skillet along with beer. Note: Do not poke holes in your bratwurst during the cooking process.

How long to cook Johnsonville beer brats? ›

Thaw product prior to cooking. Preheat grill to medium-low. Add sausage. Cook, covered, for 15-20 minutes until sausage is browned and the internal temperature is 160°F, turning links often.

What beer is best for beer brats? ›

Any beer will do, but pale lagers work best. Boil in the beer bath for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the brats turn white. Once your brats are cooked through, you'll want to sear them to achieve the crispy skin and grill marks we all love.

Why you shouldn't boil brats before grilling? ›

Sindelar said parboiling speeds up the unfolding process and can result in a mushy meat texture, the development of rubbery casings and separate the casing from the sausage. So, there you have it. It's settled science.

Why are beer brats so good? ›

Beer gives bratwurst an even better flavor and texture

According to Chowhound, parboiling your brats in beer prior to grilling them is a foolproof way to ensure the meat gets thoroughly and evenly cooked. Otherwise, you may end up with a slightly pink center, which isn't ideal for consuming sausages.

Should you pierce brats before grilling? ›

It may seem like a good idea, but pricking the casing of the brat results in a dry and overcooked meat. Let the juices stay inside and mingle. If you've got uncooked bratwursts, grilling them over medium heat on the grill is the best temperature to cook them over.

Do you have to boil Johnsonville brats? ›

you need to first boil the johnsonville brats before cooking. You require to bring the water to a slow boil. Then, reduce the heat from medium to low, and boil the brats for about 10 minutes or 2 minutes more if needed. In other ways, the brats are well done when the internal temperature reaches 82 ° C (180 ° F).

Do you put water in the pan when cooking brats? ›

Pan Fry - Quick Cook Method
  1. Preheat pan over medium to medium-high heat.
  2. Add a bit of cooking oil to coat the bottom of pan.
  3. Dry bratwurst off with a paper towel and place sausages in the heated pan.
  4. Add a bit of water to the pan, and place a lid on your pan to cover and steam the bratwurst.
Jun 11, 2022

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