Wisconsin-Style Beer-Infused Grilled Brats with Sautéed Onions
Perfect for making ahead for cookouts, tailgating, or any outdoor gathering, these Wisconsin-style bratwursts are infused with rich beer flavors and paired with savory sautéed onions. This recipe allows you to enjoy juicy, grilled brats even when the grill is needed for other dishes. Prepare them a day in advance, or whip them up on the morning of your event. They can be reheated easily in a foil pan on the grill, oven, or even in a slow cooker, guaranteeing everyone gets to enjoy this crowd-pleasing comfort food. For the best taste, ensure to use fresh bratwurst in natural casings—stay away from smoked or white sausages. With this recipe, you can prepare flavorful brats for gatherings of 8 to 10 people without any hassle.
N/A
Servings
300
Calories
4
Ingredients
Ingredients
fresh bratwursts
8-10 (in natural casings, approximately 4 oz. each)
large onions
3 (peeled and sliced)
olive oil or margarine
2 tablespoons (for sautéing onions)
beer
6 (12 ounce) cans (of any style for cooking brats and reheating)
Instructions
1
In a large saucepan, place the bratwursts and cover them with 4 cans of your chosen beer.
2
Bring the beer to a boil over medium-high heat.
3
Once boiling, lower the temperature and let the bratwursts simmer gently for 10 minutes.
4
While the bratwursts are simmering, peel and slice the onions into thin rings.
5
In a separate pan, heat the olive oil or margarine over medium heat.
6
Add the sliced onions to the pan, stirring to coat with the oil or margarine.
7
Cover the pan and cook the onions slowly, stirring often until they are tender but not caramelized, about 10-12 minutes.
8
Once the bratwursts are done simmering, drain them well and place them on a hot gas or charcoal grill.
9
Grill the brats for about 5-7 minutes, turning frequently until they are evenly browned on all sides. Watch closely to avoid flare-ups from the sausage fat.
10
Remove the brats from the grill and place them in a foil pan or an oven-safe dish.
11
Add the sautéed onions and the remaining 2 cans of beer over the brats until they are mostly covered. If necessary, add more beer.
12
Cover tightly and refrigerate until an hour before serving.
13
To reheat, place the covered pan on the grill, in the oven at 350°F, or in a slow cooker on low for an hour.
14
If serving immediately after grilling, heat the remaining beer and onions before adding the grilled bratwurst to the pan.
Nutrition Information
20g
Fat
15g
Carbs
15g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Wisconsin-Style Beer-Infused Grilled Brats?
Wisconsin-Style Beer-Infused Grilled Brats are savory bratwursts simmered in beer, grilled, and served with sautéed onions.
What kind of bratwurst should I use for this recipe?
Use fresh bratwurst in natural casings for the best taste.
Can I use smoked bratwurst?
No, you should stay away from smoked sausages for this specific recipe.
Can I use white sausages?
No, white sausages are not recommended for this recipe.
How many cans of beer are required?
You will need a total of 6 (12 ounce) cans of beer.
How much beer is used for the initial simmering?
Use 4 cans of beer to cover the bratwursts for the initial simmering phase.
How long should the bratwursts simmer?
The bratwursts should simmer gently for 10 minutes after the beer has reached a boil.
How should the onions be prepared?
The onions should be peeled and sliced into thin rings.
What should I use to sauté the onions?
You can use 2 tablespoons of either olive oil or margarine to sauté the onions.
How long does it take to cook the onions?
The onions should be cooked slowly for about 10-12 minutes until they are tender.
Should the onions be caramelized?
No, the onions should be tender but not caramelized for this recipe.
How long do the brats need to be on the grill?
Grill the brats for approximately 5-7 minutes until they are evenly browned.
How often should I turn the brats while grilling?
Turn the brats frequently to ensure even browning and to watch for flare-ups.
What oven temperature is used for reheating?
Reheat the brats in the oven at 350°F.
Can I use a slow cooker to reheat the brats?
Yes, the brats can be reheated in a slow cooker on the low setting.
How long does it take to reheat in the slow cooker?
It takes about one hour to reheat the brats in a slow cooker on low.
Can I make this recipe a day in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the brats a day in advance and refrigerate them until needed.
Is this recipe good for tailgating?
Yes, it is designed for cookouts, tailgating, and outdoor gatherings.
How many people does this recipe serve?
This recipe is intended to serve between 8 to 10 people.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 300 calories.
How much fat is in one serving?
There are 20g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in these brats?
Each serving has 15g of carbohydrates.
What is the protein content?
There are 15g of protein per serving.
What if I want to serve the brats immediately after grilling?
Heat the remaining beer and onions before adding the grilled bratwurst to the pan for immediate serving.
How do I avoid flare-ups while grilling?
Watch the brats closely as the sausage fat can cause flare-ups on the grill.
What size should the bratwursts be?
The brats should be approximately 4 oz. each.
Does the style of beer matter?
No, you can use any style of beer for cooking and reheating these brats.
Should the pan be covered during refrigeration?
Yes, cover the pan tightly before placing it in the refrigerator.
What type of container is best for reheating on the grill?
A foil pan is recommended for easy reheating on the grill.
Is this considered a comfort food?
Yes, this dish is described as a crowd-pleasing comfort food.