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    Home » Recipes » Dinner » Perfect Beer Brats and Onions

    May 1, 2021 · Updated June 22, 2021

    Perfect Beer Brats and Onions

    5 from 4 votes
    1 Comment

    · by Amanda Gajdosik

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This post may contain affiliate links. This blog generates income via ads.

    Making perfect beer brats and onions is a time-honored Wisconsin tradition! The practice of cooking brats in beer with onions goes way back to the many German settlers in the area - my family included. Make up a big batch for your next get together!

    Three beer brats with onions in buns are on a black serving tray.

    Made with just a few ingredients these brats are boiled with beer and sliced onions for loads of flavor. A quick sear on a hot grill gives the brats a beautiful crust on the outside. Make sure you have plenty of your favorite toppings and fresh buns to serve these bad boys with!

    Ingredients for this recipe

    • Brats – We love Johnsonville in our house!
    • Beer – Preferably one made in Wisconsin!
    • Onions – Large, white, sliced.
    • Butter – Just a bit to start the onions in.
    All of the ingredients for perfect beer brats and onions are laid out on a rimmed baking sheet.

    How to make this recipe:

    1. Start the onions. In a large pot or shallow Dutch oven with a little bit of butter.
    2. Add the brats. In a single layer, if your pan allows it.
    3. Pour in the beer. For a big batch of twelve brats I use three cans of beer.
    4. Cook the brats. Bring the beer up to a gentle boil and cook for at least 45 minutes, up to 2 hours. The longer the brats are in the beer, the better they taste!
    5. Grill the brats. Just before serving. This gives them a nice crust and bits of crunch on the outside.
    6. Reduce the onions. This is an optional step, but I love to reduce the onions down in the beer while the brats grill. This imparts so much flavor to the onions it’s ridiculous!
    • Beer brats in a grill pan.
      Grill the brats after boiling in beer.
    • A pan filled with caramelized beer onions.
      Cook down the onions in the beer.

    Beer Brats and Onions in a Crockpot

    This recipe can be made in crockpot too, which is especially great if you’re hosting a large gathering. Simply add everything to the slow cooker and cook on high for at least 4 hours, or low for 8. Afterwards, set the crockpot to warm to keep everything ready to serve.

    If desired, you can still give the brats a quick grill before returning them to the liquid in the slow cooker to serve. Of course, this way you won’t be able to boil down the beer and reduce the onions, but that’s ok!

    A tray filled with perfect beer brats and onions.

    What to serve with brats?

    Here are some classic brat toppings and condiments that will go perfectly with this recipe!

    • Sauerkraut
    • Grainy Mustard
    • Spicy Brown Mustard
    • Diced White Onion
    • Pickles
    • Sweet Pickled Jalapeños
    • Soft Bakery Rolls
    • Pretzel Buns
    A grilled brat with onions, sauerkraut, and mustard on a black rimmed serving tray.

    What kind of beer to cook brats in?

    Cooking the brats in beer imparts a lot of the beer’s flavors into the meat, so it’s important to pick a delicious draft! Don’t pick anything too dark or heavy, like a stout or porter (save those for a nice roast!). And also steer clear of hoppy, bitter beers like IPAs or New England Style IPAs, even an APA would be too much.

    The best beers for cooking brats are going to be light and easy drinking. A crisp and refreshing lager like a pilsner would be best! I really love using 3 Sheeps Brewing Pils, but most craft breweries make their own version. Of course, if you can’t find a craft lager feel free to crack open a can of PBR, Budweiser, or Hamm’s (my husband’s favorite!).

    Three beer brats with onions in buns are on a black serving tray.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 4 votes

    Perfect Beer Brats and Onions

    Made with just a few ingredients these brats are boiled with beer and sliced onions for loads of flavor. A quick sear on a hot grill gives the brats a beautiful crust on the outside. Make sure you have plenty of your favorite toppings and fresh buns to serve these bad boys with!
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time55 mins
    Total Time1 hr
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: beer brats, beer brats and onions
    Servings: 12 servings
    Calories: 237kcal
    Author: Amanda Gajdosik

    Equipment

    • Large, Shallow Dutch Oven
    • Grill or Grill Pan

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoon salted butter
    • 4 large white onions sliced
    • Kosher salt to taste
    • 12 brats
    • 36 ounces pilsner beer or other light lager

    Instructions

    • Set a large, shallow Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the butter, sliced onions and sprinkle with kosher salt, to taste. Stir everything to coat, making sure the butter is melted. Add the brats to the pan in an even layer.
    • Pour in the beer and bring to a rapid, gentle boil. Cook the brats in the beer for at least 45 minutes, up to 2 hours.
    • When ready to serve, remove the brats from the beer and grill 2 minutes on each side, or until outsides are dark brown and crispy. If desired, while brats are on the grill, increase the heat on the onions, boiling rapidly, to reduce them down.
    • Serve brats on bakery rolls with beer onions, sauerkraut, and grainy mustard.

    Notes

    • See post for instructions on cooking brats in a slow cooker.
    • See post for more condiment and serving ideas!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1brat | Calories: 237kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 575mg | Potassium: 230mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 62IU | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg

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    Comments

    1. Seth says

      May 20, 2021 at 1:44 pm

      5 stars
      Great beer brats! This Wisconsin native approves!

      Reply

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    Amanda, a food photographer and recipe developer, leans against a kitchen counter. She is smiling and holding a camera. She wears a white shirt and black jeans.

    Hi! I'm Amanda, and I believe in good food for good people. I hope you enjoy the homemade recipes you'll find on my site.

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