Sweet N Hot Beer Bratwurst Skillet Recipes

BEER-BRAISED BRATWURST & ONIONS

Steps:

• In a large (12-inch) cast iron skillet or nonstick pan with a tight-fitting lid, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the bratwurst and sear until nicely browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Using tongs, transfer the sausage to a plate; set aside. Add the onions and salt to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are softened and golden brown, about 5 minutes (do not burn; reduce the heat if necessary).
• Place the bratwurst back in the pan on top of the onions, add the beer, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover with the lid, and simmer for 10 minutes (at this point the sausages will be partially cooked through). Remove the cover, increase the heat to medium, and continue cooking until the bratwurst are cooked through and the beer is reduced by about three quarters, 10 to 12 minutes more. Serve the bratwurst and onions on rolls with mustard and sauerkraut, if desired.
• Note: I use Johnsonville Original Brats; avoid any brats already flavored with beer, as the finished dish will taste too bitter. Also be sure to purchase fresh (not cooked) sausages.
• Note: Lager is a family of beers that includes bright lagers, amber lagers, dark lagers, Oktoberfests, and pilsners. I use Sam Adams Oktoberfest, but Budweiser, Bud Light, Coors Light, and Miller Lite are all good options. No need to use anything fancy!
• Note: The nutritional information does not include the optional serving ingredients.

WISCONSIN BEER BRATS

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large, grill-safe straight-sided skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium. Add onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft and golden in places, about 20 minutes. Stir in caraway seeds, bay leaf, mustard, and brown sugar; cook 30 seconds. Add bratwursts and beer. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, turning bratwursts occasionally, 20 minutes.
• Preheat grill for direct-heat cooking (medium-high on a gas grill). Transfer bratwursts to a plate. Drain onion mixture in a fine-mesh sieve; discard liquid. Return mixture to skillet with remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Place on one side of grill and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in sauerkraut; cook 1 minute more.
• Meanwhile, place bratwursts on grill and cook, turning a few times, until blistered in places, about 5 minutes. Place rolls on grill, cut-sides down, until lightly toasted and charred in places, about 1 minute.
• Serve bratwursts in rolls, topped with sauerkraut mixture and more mustard.

BRATWURST SKILLET

Steps:

• Heat large skillet over medium heat until hot.
• Add bratwurst; cover and cook about 5 minutes or until browned and no longer pink in center.
• Transfer bratwurst to plate.
• Cover and keep warm.
• Drain all but 1 tablespoon drippings from skillet.
• Add bell pepper, onions, paprika and caraway seeds.
• Cook and stir about 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
• Combine bratwurst and vegetables.
• Serve immediately.

OCTOBERFEST BRATWURST AND SAUERKRAUT SKILLET

Steps:

• Fry bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp; remove from pan, drain, and crumble; set aside.
• Drain off all but 2 tbsp of dripping in pan (or use butter or margarine if you prefer); add onion and garlic to drippings; cook over medium heat until tender, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in sauerkraut, potatoes, 2 cups water, apple cider, brown sugar, bouillon, caraway, and bay leaf.
• Bring to a boil over heat.
• Meanwhile, brown bratwurst in another skillet over medium heat until browned, turning to brown all sides.
• Add to sauerkraut mixture when it comes to a boil; then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally.
• Add apples, and cook, covered, for 5-10 minutes more or until apples are tender.
• Stir in the bacon, and discard the bay leaf; serve.