Sometimes I crave brat during the colder months, and I wondered, is there a way to cook brats without roasting outside?
The short answer is, yes! You can cook your brat in the oven and they will be as delicious, moist and amazing as your favorite grilled brat.
Whenever it’s grill season, I can’t wait to eat all the burgers, grilled chicken, and hot dogs I can get my hands on.
But my favorite meat to grill is brats. They are so juicy and tasty, and I can never resist them.
Keep scrolling and I’ll share tips and tricks on how to make tasty brats
in the oven.
Why should I cook Bratwurst
in the oven?
Cooking brats in the oven is a great method if the weather is bad and you can’t grill, if you don’t have a grill, or if your grill is already full of hot dogs and burgers for a party.
In addition, making brats in the oven has some additional advantages. It only takes about 20 minutes to get perfect brats, and you can still get that lovely charcoal line that the grill usually gives you.
Another advantage is being able to enjoy grilled bratwurst all year round
.
During the snowy winter months, you always have the oven in your kitchen ready and waiting
.
The best part about cooking your brats in the oven is how plump and juicy they get. I almost like this method more than roasting them!
Another great reason to use your oven is that you can add plenty of vegetables to roast at the same time. A large pan full of potatoes, peppers and onions is always good.
How to cook your bratwurst in the oven
Cooking bratwurst in the oven is really simple
.
First
, make sure your oven
rack is in the center position, then preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Some recipes suggest placing your empty pan in the oven while preheating, to help your brats taste good.
Next, cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. You can also use aluminum foil or a smaller pan if you prefer.
Using a
baking sheet, casserole plate or any other pan, it works the same, just make sure it has a rim so that the brats do not slide down the sides
. Place your bratwurst on the baking sheet of
your choice, giving each plenty of space
.
If you want to add vegetables, place them on the baking sheet before the brats. Drizzle them with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, and mix them a little.
Place the brat in the pan, making sure they are touching the parchment and not floating on the vegetables, as this will help them brown
.
When you turn your brat over, also stir your vegetables. Most vegetables, such as onions and peppers, should be made at the same time as your brats.
Potatoes and other thick vegetables may take a little longer
.
How long to
cook brats in the oven
Let your brats cook for 10 minutes on one side. Then you’ll want to use tweezers to flip the brats. This side should be cooked for about 5-7 minutes.
Use a meat thermometer to check that they have been cooked. They should have an internal temperature of about 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Larger brats will need more time to cook, so always check the temperature and rely on that to decide when your bratwursts are ready, rather than cooking time
.
Once they are done, let them sit for about 5 minutes so that the juices are redistributed throughout the mucus. This will result in super delicious and tender brats.
How to Make Beer Brats
Baked Braised Beer
brats are especially delicious and add only two steps to the process
.
You can always buy brats already marinated in a variety of beers and flavors. If you want to try it for yourself, here’s the process:
In a smaller, shallow skillet,
add a can or bottle of beer and your bratwursts, and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes
.
After they have marinated, remove them from the beer pan, transfer them to your baking sheet, and cook as above. It’s that easy!
What to serve with Bratwurst You can eat your brat on a bun, like a hot dog, or you
can make traditional German food and eat them without a bun, as a main course. But you’ll need a few sides to go with them
!
Fried cabbage or sauerkraut is a delicious and traditional accompaniment to bratwurst. So are potato pancakes and beer!
You can stick to a barbecue theme and go with potato salad, roasted or grilled vegetables, or freshly roasted corn on the cob.
You can also add a German twist to your potato salad and make Kartoffelsalat. This is a German potato salad made with unpeeled red potatoes and a spicy vinaigrette. Yum!
Another classic is baked beans. I think these go wonderfully with bratwursts. The sweet and salty flavor combo goes great with the smoky and meaty brats.
If you want a greater contrast in flavors, choose a creamy cucumber salad.
It’s a simple recipe. Just mix fresh cucumbers, sliced red onions, sour cream, white vinegar, fresh dill, a little sugar and, of course, a little salt and garlic powder.
It’s light, creamy and perfect to make in advance for shared meals or picnics.
Don’t forget to have a variety of tasty mustards to cover your brats! My favorite ingredients for brat are some grilled onions or sauerkraut, and a great swirl of mustard.
Go with stone-ground hot mustards like Plochman’s and Inglehoffer for the most authentic flavors.
