Tailgate Beef Bratwurst Sauerkraut (Printable)

Grilled beef bratwurst served with sauerkraut and toasted buns for a flavorful, hearty meal.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 6 beef bratwursts

→ Bread

02 - 6 sturdy bratwurst buns or hoagie rolls

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 1/2 cups sauerkraut, drained
04 - 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
05 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

→ Condiments & Toppings

06 - 3 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
07 - 3 tablespoons ketchup (optional)
08 - 1/4 cup chopped pickles (optional)

→ Seasonings

09 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
10 - 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)

# Steps:

01 - Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, approximately 400°F.
02 - Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and golden, about 8 minutes. Add drained sauerkraut and caraway seeds if using; stir and cook for an additional 3–4 minutes until heated through. Season with black pepper to taste.
03 - Place beef bratwursts on the grill and cook, turning occasionally, for 12–15 minutes until evenly browned and fully cooked. Internal temperature should reach 160°F.
04 - During the last 2 minutes of grilling, place buns cut-side down on the grill to toast lightly.
05 - Place a grilled bratwurst in each toasted bun. Top generously with the warm sauerkraut-onion mixture. Add mustard, ketchup, and pickles as desired. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Beef brats have this incredible richness that holds up against whatever sauce or topping you throw at them
  • The warm sauerkraut and onion mixture turns what could be a simple sandwich into something with real depth
  • Everything comes together in about 30 minutes which leaves you more time for the important pre-game activities
02 -
  • Sauerkraut holds a lot of liquid and if you skip the draining step your buns will turn into a sad soggy mess within minutes
  • Medium-high heat is the sweet spot—too low and you will be cooking forever too high and you will burn the outside before the inside is done
  • Letting the brats rest for even 60 seconds after grilling helps them retain their juices when you bite into them
03 -
  • If the brats are casing-splitting on the grill turn the heat down slightly—high heat can cause them to burst before they are cooked through
  • A light coating of oil on the brats before grilling helps prevent sticking and promotes even browning

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