Planning a barbecue and serving up delicious bratwurst? You’ll need the perfect sides! We’ve compiled 30+ of the best bratwurst side dishes to make your meal complete!
Bratwurst is a fantastic choice for grilling, whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, heading to the beach, or just looking for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner. Its savory flavor is always a crowd-pleaser!
We especially love grilled bratwurst. But let’s face it, bratwurst alone doesn’t make a complete meal. To truly enjoy your bratwurst barbecue or dinner, you need side dishes that complement and enhance the flavors without stealing the show.
That’s where this recipe collection comes in! I’ve hand-picked some of the absolute best side dishes to serve alongside bratwurst.
From a simple fruit salad and creamy paprika pasta to a hearty broccoli crunch salad and tangy summer slaw, these sides offer something for everyone and are guaranteed to satisfy.
🌠The Best Ways to Cook Bratwurst for Ultimate Flavor
Before we dive into the side dishes, let’s talk about the best ways to cook your bratwurst to perfection. There are several popular methods, each offering unique benefits.
- Grilling: Our top choice is definitely grilling bratwurst. Grilling provides a delicious smoky flavor and a satisfyingly crispy exterior. The key is temperature control – you want to cook the brats thoroughly without drying them out. Ensure consistent heat distribution to prevent uneven cooking. Grilling imparts a fantastic char and enhances the natural flavors of the bratwurst. This is perfect if you’re going for that authentic BBQ experience. Remember to preheat your grill properly before placing the brats on the grates.
Check out our Grilled Bratwurst recipe! - Pan-Frying: Pan-frying is another excellent way to cook bratwurst. This method yields juicy and flavorful brats with a beautifully caramelized crust. It’s also incredibly convenient for indoor cooking and requires minimal preparation. The downside is that it can get a bit messy with grease splattering, and you need to keep a close eye on them to prevent burning. Using a cast iron skillet can really elevate the crust. Ensure your pan is hot before adding a little oil or butter to achieve a golden-brown finish.
- Boiling and Searing: Boiling bratwurst before giving them a quick sear is another popular technique. This ensures the sausages are fully cooked while retaining their moisture. Boiling also minimizes the risk of undercooking and allows you to infuse additional flavors by using beer or broth as your boiling liquid. However, boiling can result in a softer texture compared to grilling or frying, so you’ll need that extra searing step to achieve a crispy exterior. Consider adding onions and garlic to your boiling liquid for even more flavor.
🍷 Perfect Wine Pairings for Bratwurst and Your Sides
The ideal wine pairing for bratwurst often depends on the specific side dishes you’re serving alongside. Here are a couple of examples to get you started:
Bratwurst with Potato Salad: A light and fruity Pinot Noir is an excellent choice to pair with the creamy, savory notes of potato salad. The wine’s red fruit flavors and subtle earthiness beautifully enhance the bratwurst without overpowering the dish. Look for a Pinot Noir that is light-bodied and not too oaky to complement the dish properly. The subtle acidity cuts through the richness of the salad.
Bratwurst with Cabbage (like Sauerkraut or Coleslaw): A medium-bodied GewĂĽrztraminer is a fantastic white wine pairing for bratwurst and cabbage. This aromatic white wine has a hint of sweetness and spiciness that complements the savory and slightly tangy flavors of the cabbage. Its crisp acidity balances the richness of the bratwurst, creating a harmonious combination. A dry Riesling would also work well if you prefer something less aromatic.
Bratwurst is an incredibly versatile sausage that pairs well with a wide range of side dishes, creating a satisfying and flavorful meal. Whether you choose classic accompaniments like sauerkraut and potato salad or venture into more adventurous options such as slaw or German potato salad, you’re sure to find the perfect sides to elevate your bratwurst experience in this recipe collection!
30+ Best Side Dishes for Bratwurst: The Ultimate Collection
Best Side Dishes for Bratwurst
Instant Pot Cabbage
This is a delicious vegetable side dish that goes well with any meal and can be made in less than 20 minutes.
If you like cabbage, you’ll love this recipe! It is easy-to-follow, making it a great recipe for Instant Pot beginners too!
Italian Bow Tie Pasta Salad
This Italian Bowtie Pasta Salad is a hearty side dish that’s full of flavor and easy to make! It’s a great make-ahead dish for any family gatherings or dinner.
They’re so hearty and satisfying. And you can create a different kind of pasta salad to pair well with almost any main course.
Broccoli Crunch Salad
This broccoli salad recipe is fast and easy to make. A delicious and nutritious side dish or lunch!
This easy broccoli crunch salad recipe is packed with nourishing, healthy vegetables and satisfying crunch with every bite.
Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Brown Rice
This popular copycat recipe is easy to make at home and makes a flavorful rice that’s a great side dish for any meal.
The fresh cilantro and fresh lime brightens up the earthiness of the brown rice, making it the perfect side dish for so many meals.
Elote Dip
Easy Elote Dip is a flavorful Mexican street corn recipe that is easy to make in just 15 minutes. Perfect as a side dish or appetizer!
This delicious dip can be served warm or cold. It’s wonderful to serve with tortilla chips, flatbread, or nacho chips.
Air Fryer Corn Ribs
This viral TikTok air fryer corn ribs recipe is packed with big flavors. These corn ribs are delicious when served at any barbecue, picnic, party, or any dinner!
Enjoy these air fryer corn ribs with a glass of unoaked Chardonnay, crisp Sauvignon Blanc, or dry Riesling.
Air Fryer Broccoli (Ninja Foodi)
Air Fryer Broccoli is a quick, easy, nutritious side dish. With the Ninja Foodi or an air fryer, you can whip up delicious, healthy food in minutes!
Broccoli is packed with nutrients and antioxidants that help support good health. Broccoli is low in calories, and a good source of fiber and protein.
Grilled Asparagus in Foil
Grilled Asparagus in Foil is a healthy, delicious summer side dish that goes well with any BBQ, picnic, lunch or dinner!
If you’re looking for a healthy, delicious summer side dish to go along with any of those mains, you’ll love making Grilled Asparagus in Foil!
Frozen Onion Rings in the Air Fryer
Make these frozen onion rings in the air fryer! They are inexpensive, quick, easy, delicious and perfect for appetizer, side dish, snack, or Game Day food.
And while these quick snacks are definitely not diet food, most fresh onion rings and frozen onion rings are still better-for-you than what you’d find at a fast-food restaurant.
Baby Potato Salad with Bacon
Baby Potato Salad with Bacon is a tangy, delicious side dish perfect for picnics, potlucks, and any weeknight dinner. It’s easy to make in under 30 minutes!
This potato salad with bacon is great for picnics, parties, or Sunday night family suppers. It’s actually on the lighter side of potato salads, and as a bonus, it’s insanely fantastic to saute and serve up with breakfast the next day.
Simple Fruit Salad
This simple fruit salad is easy to make and delivers delicious fresh flavors. This is a bright and light side dish to serve at any gathering, but especially at picnics, barbecues, and potlucks!
Summer Slaw with Corn, Peaches, Tomatoes
Summer Slaw with Corn, Peaches, and Tomatoes is the perfect summer side dish! The best fruits and vegetables of the season come together in this colorful, crunchy slaw.
Making this summer slaw couldn’t be easier! The majority of the work is just in chopping up the veggies.
Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes
This Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes recipe is a super rich and creamy mashed potato dish done all in one pot, making prep, cooking, and cleanup a breeze.
Feel free to add any of your favorite potato toppings like sour cream, green onions, bacon, or cheddar cheese to this mashed potato recipe.
Instant Pot Green Beans
These Instant Pot Green Beans are the perfect, flavorful side dish to go along with almost any meal!
This simple side dish is a quick and easy recipe that goes so well with almost any main dish.
Asian Carrot Cucumber Salad
This easy Asian Carrot Cucumber Salad is simple to make in 15 minutes and is a great side dish for any meal!
This is a great make-ahead salad: simply prep the crunchy veggies and make the sauce, then store each separately in the fridge. It’s the perfect side dish to complete any meal. Or, enjoy it as a quick, healthy, delicious lunch.
Filipino Macaroni Salad
Filipino Macaroni Salad is a classic traditional side dish that is often prepared for almost any Filipino gathering.
It’s especially a staple at Christmas time! This sweet pasta salad with crunchy vegetables is easy to make and a great make-ahead dish.
20-Minute Creamy Paprika Pasta
This Creamy Paprika Pasta recipe can be made in just 20 minutes! It’s a delicious main vegetarian pasta dish that can also be served as a side dish.
This easy pasta recipe is a fantastic plant-based pasta that’s delicious as the main meal, or as a side dish. It’s amazing because:
Pan fried squash and zucchini
This is the easiest pan-fried squash and zucchini and you are going to love how quickly it comes together. Zucchini and squash are such versatile vegetables that pair well with a plethora of dishes.
This easy sautéed zucchini and squash recipe is one of my favorites to make. It’s low-calorie, versatile, and packed with nutrients.
Ultimate Potato Salad – The Cookin Chicks
This ultimate potato salad is a classic potato salad that includes hard boiled eggs, crunchy celery, onion, and more tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing! Perfect for any BBQ, potluck, picnic, or summer outing!
Red Cabbage Sauerkraut
This sauerkraut is also delicious with herbs or spices added in, such as caraway seeds, thyme, or chives.
Serve it as a side dish (cold or hot). It’s also pretty delicious stirred into a veggie pasta sauce, or served with a slice of buttered rye bread.
Authentic German Potato Salad (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Paleo)
The vinegar-based potato salad you love, but without bacon and it’s vegan, gluten-free, paleo, and allergy-free!
Served warm or cold, this easy side dish still packs all the zesty & smokey flavor with the help of homemade coconut bacon!
KFC Coleslaw recipe – just like the Colonel!
This creamy and tangy coleslaw is the perfect side dish for any meal. Made with finely chopped cabbage, carrots, and onions, and dressed in a flavorful blend of mayonnaise, buttermilk, lemon juice, sugar, and a hint of spices, this coleslaw delivers the same irresistible crunch and zest you love from KFC.
Green Bean Salad (Cold)
Green bean caprese salad is a twist on a classic caprese salad. This summer side dish recipe pairs well with a variety of foods and proteins, and is a fun and flavorful way to add vegetables to your meal.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash
Tender Brussels sprouts and sweet butternut squash are roasted to perfection. Tossed in olive oil and lightly seasoned with salt and pepper, these vegetables caramelize beautifully in the oven, creating a deliciously crisp exterior and a soft, flavorful interior.
Chopped Rainbow Veggie Salad
This chopped salad is one of the quickest salads to throw together – just chop your veggies, mix in the salad dressing and you are good to go. And leftovers taste great the next day – so that is lunch easily sorted.
