Bratwurst is the German version of a sausage made from pork and veal, usually seasoned with salt and marjoram. It can be served as a hot dog or eaten on its own. The term “brat” refers to the cooking method: the sausage is pan-fried or shallow-fried in fat until browned and cooked through.

Unlike most sausages, bratwurst is not smoked; instead it’s prepared fresh and eaten right away. The best way to tell when brats are done is by using an instant-read thermometer.

Before grilling or sautéing your brats, make sure they are fully defrosted. If you plan on eating them right away, there’s no need to thaw them completely (just enough so they won’t stick together). If you plan on freezing them for later use, thawing is necessary before cooking to ensure that they cook evenly throughout.

To grill brats over charcoal briquettes or a gas grill set at medium heat:

Dry off your brats with paper towels before cooking. This will help prevent them from sticking during grilling.

Grill over direct heat until browned on both sides and cooked through (about 10 minutes total.

Last modified: September 5, 2022