Grilled Bratwurst for a weeknight

Looking for a simple, fast, flavorful summer dish? Try this simple recipe for grilled bratwurst sausages. Perfect for the summer months and beyond!

If you're firing up the grill to feed a crowd, you can't beat the ease and flavor of grilled bratwurst!

Bratwurst – often referred to simply as "brats" – is a German sausage that is usually made with a combination of pork and veal. You may also find beef brats or a combination of beef and pork sausage.

These sausages are extra flavorful thanks to a combination of spices. Typically, they will be made with cilantro, nutmeg, marjoram, caraway, and ginger.

Grilled bratwurst is an simple, fast, flavorful dish perfect for summer cookouts, barbecues, camping, and weeknight dinners alike!

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🌟 Why brats are the ultimate summer grilling food

Tasty brats are perfect for summer grilling. They are:

Simple – they already come ready to grill as is!
Fast & no fuss – Simply 15-20 minutes on the grill, with minimal effort other than flipping them over, and they're ready to go!
Flavorful– each bratwurst sausage is packed with herbs and spices.

🛒 Ingredient notes

The two-ingredient bratwurst recipe is simple:

Bratwurst – Use your favorite storebought uncooked brats. We personally buy the large pack at Costco. They are so flavorful and always a hit at any party! Plus, because they come in bulk, they are less expensive than regular grocery store brands.
Oil – to oil the grill grates so the brats don't stick.

✅ How to cook brats on a gas grill

We've included some step-by-step photos to show you simply how simple it is to grill bratwurst. See the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post for more detailed instructions.

Grilling brats on a gas grill

Most home cooks use a gas grill, and We find gas grills are the best cooking method for brats because they heat is consistent throughout. We use our Weber propane grill to make brats regularly and this is the grilling method we use.

Start by lightly brushing your grill grates with oil and then heat to medium-low heat (300 to 350°F).

Place the raw brats onto the grill. We like to place brats going across the grill grates so they get a nice sear with grill marks across each side.
Cover grill, and cook for about 5 minutes, then flip them over using a pair of tongs. You'll do this at least two times, grilling the brats for a total of about 15-20 minutes total.
Flip regularly until the casings turn a nice charred golden brown outside all around, and until fully cooked.

Bratwurst are considered fully cooked when a meat thermometer inserted into the center of a bratwurst reads an internal temperature of 160°F.

👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs

How do We cook brats on a charcoal grill?

You'll want to create a two zone grilling situation: one side without the charcoal coals and one side with the coals. Start by placing the brats over indirect heat, the cooler side of the grill without charcoal. Grill for about 10-15 minutes, flipping over every now and then. Then move them over to the hot side of the grill and grill simply for about 5 minutes, until the grilled brats get a nice char on all sides and reach an internal temperature of 160°F.

What's the difference between bratwurst and hot dogs?

Bratwurst is a type of German sausage typically made from pork, beef, or veal, and seasoned with spices like nutmeg, ginger, and caraway. Hot dogs, on the other hand, are American sausages made from finely ground meat (usually beef or pork) and are more simply seasoned, often with garlic, salt, and pepper.

Want to add even extra flavor?

Make beer brats! simmer the bratwursts in a pot with enough beer to cover them, along with sliced onions and a bit of butter, for about 15-20 minutes. Then grill the brats according to the recipe directions.

What's the best way to store leftover bratwurst?

Allow the meat to cool down, then store in an airtight container or wrap in aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

How do We keep the bratwurst from bursting?

Low even heat is the key to perfect brats! If you've got a hot grill with high heat, that is usually the cause of bratwurst that bursts or splits during cooking.

🍽 Serving ideas

Another reason to make bratwurst: they go so well with many side dishes!

Try serving them over sautéed peppers and onions for a summery dish.

Or enjoy brats over a bed of mashed potatoes or garlic rice.

You can also slice up the brats and toss them into butternut squash mac and cheese or with paprika pasta for a satisfying pasta dish.

Or simply serve in a hot dog bun with brown mustard and your favorite toppings.

🍷 🥂 Wine pairings

Grilled bratwurst, with its rich, savory flavors, pairs well with both white wine and red wine. Here are the top two that We recommend:

Riesling – An off-dry riesling's crisp acidity and touch of sweetness can complement the savory, smoky flavors of grilled sausage. The high acidity helps cut through the richness, and the subtle sweetness balances any spiciness from the bratwurst.
Beaujolais – A light-bodied Beaujolais-Villages or a Cru Beaujolais has bright acidity, low tannins, and fresh red fruit flavors that pair deliciously with grilled bratwurst.

🍳 Kitchen tools and equipment

Ready to make this recipe? Here are the kitchen tools and equipment you'll need:

Gas grill
Kitchen tongs
Meat thermometer

More grilling recipes

Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you truly loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!

Grilled Bratwurst

By Marlynn Schotland Prep Time: 0 mins Cook Time: 20 mins Total Time: 20 mins Servings: 6 Grilled bratwurst are simple, fast, and flavorful! Perfect for summer cookouts, camping, or any weeknight dinner.

Equipment

1 Outdoor Grill

Ingredients

8 Bratwurst

Instructions

Place the raw bratwurst onto the grill.
Cover grill, and cook for about 5 minutes, then flip them over using a pair of tongs. You'll do this at least two times, grilling the brats for a total of about 15-20 minutes total.
Flip regularly until the casings turn a nice charred golden brown outside all around, and until fully cooked.

Notes

Makes 8 bratwurst Notes:

We like to place brats going across the grill grates so they get a nice sear with grill marks across each side.
Keep the heat on low to low-medium to avoid the casing splitting or bursting.

Storage: allow the meat to cool down, then wrap in aluminum foil or place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 293 kcal, Carbohydrates: 3 g, Protein: 12 g, Fat: 26 g, Saturated Fat: 9 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 13 g, Cholesterol: 65 mg, Sodium: 744 mg, Potassium: 306 mg, Vitamin A: 5 IU, Calcium: 25 mg, Iron: 0.5 mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.