Beer-Braised Brats with Apples & Onions 🍎🍺🌭
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp butter (or bacon drippings) + 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 5–6 bratwurst links (about 1.5 lb)
- 2 large yellow onions, thick-sliced
- 2 crisp apples, cored and wedged
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups lager/pilsner/amber ale
- 1 Tbsp Dijon or whole-grain mustard
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar (optional)
- 1 tsp kosher salt + 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp caraway seeds or 1/2 tsp dried thyme (optional)
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- Parsley, chopped (garnish)
Instructions
- Brown brats: Heat fats in a wide skillet/roasting pan. Brown brats 3–4 minutes per side; remove.
- Onions & apples: Add onions, a pinch of salt; cook until golden (6–8 min). Stir in apples 3 min; add garlic 30 sec.
- Braise: Pour in beer, mustard, brown sugar, pepper, and caraway/thyme. Nestle brats in; simmer gently 15–20 min until 160°F.
- Glaze: Crank heat (or broil/roast at 450°F) 3–5 min to reduce and lacquer the brats.
- Finish: Stir in vinegar; season. Garnish with parsley.
Serve With
- Creamy mashed potatoes, buttered spaetzle, or rustic crusty bread.
- Mustard and sauerkraut on the side; add pan juices over everything.
Tips, Swaps & FAQs
- Best beer: Smooth lagers and amber ales; avoid super-bitter IPAs. For non-alcoholic, use NA beer or 1 cup low-sodium broth + 1/2 cup apple cider.
- Oven method: After browning on the stovetop, cover and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 min; uncover and broil to brown.
- Make ahead: Braise up to 2 days ahead; rewarm gently with a splash of broth. Freezes well for 2 months.
- Sausage options: Works with Italian sausage, kielbasa, or chicken brats (reduce braise time slightly).
SEO Keywords
beer-braised bratwurst, brats with onions and apples, German beer brats recipe, Oktoberfest dinner, one-pan bratwurst, caramelized onion brats.
