I don’t know if I’ve told you yet, but I’m obsessed with bratwurst. Every time I eat it, it doesn’t matter how often I eat it, I swear it’s the best thing I’ve ever tasted. I also love sauerkraut. So I don’t know why it took me so long to make this classic Bratwurst recipe with juicy bratwurst, tangy sauerkraut, sweet apples, and savory onions all simmered together in a flavorful broth. It’s absolute perfection. It’s really easy, and the leftovers are so good, so this bratwurst and sauerkraut recipe is an instant winner in my book.
What is Bratwurst?
Bratwurst is a fresh, German-style sausage made with pork, and sometimes veal or beef. It’s incredibly juicy and flavorful, and tastes great whether cooked over an open grill, roasted in the oven, or cooked in a skillet.
In Germany, you’ll find several different types of bratwurst depending on the region, but in the U.S. you’ll usually either find regular bratwurst or beer bratwurst (or “beer brats” for short). Both types will work fine in this recipe.
You’ll find bratwurst in the fresh meat department of your grocery store, near Italian sausage. Johnsonville brats are pretty common in most major grocery stores, but I also enjoy ALDI’s store-brand bratwurst.
Ingredients for Bratwurst with Sauerkraut
Here’s what you’ll need to make this simple but classic bratwurst recipe:
- Onion and Garlic: These simple aromatics create a savory base that contrasts perfectly with the sweet flavor of the apple.
- Cooking Oil: A little cooking oil helps the onion and garlic sauté and soften without burning.
- Apple: A little bit of sweetness from an apple balances the acidity of the sauerkraut and gives this dish a cozy autumn flavor. Make sure to use a sweet apple, rather than a tart variety like Granny Smith.
- Bratwurst: The juicy and rich bratwurst create balance with the light and tangy flavor of the sauerkraut.
- Sauerkraut: A classic cabbage kraut adds bulk to this meal and helps keep the cost low while providing tons of flavor and belly-filling power.
- Seasoning: A simple mix of caraway seeds, paprika, and pepper add just enough flavor without overpowering the brats or kraut.
- Chicken Broth: Simmering the ingredients in chicken broth infuses even more flavor, gives the dish tons of depth, and provides just enough salt.
What Kind of Sauerkraut Should I Use?
I used a German-style sauerkraut purchased in a jar (ALDI’s Deutsche Küche brand) for this bratwurst recipe, but you could use fresh refrigerated sauerkraut as well. Flavored sauerkraut, like garlic or jalapeño, would also be really awesome in this dish. The only type of sauerkraut that I would suggest avoiding is red cabbage sauerkraut only because the color would likely bleed throughout and turn everything kind of blue-ish.
How to Serve Bratwurst and Sauerkraut
There are two main ways that I would serve bratwurst in sauerkraut. First, serve it up in toasted buns with a delicious grainy mustard, and maybe some German Potato Salad on the side. Second, on a plate with the sauerkraut as a bed and a side of either mashed potatoes or potato salad. And while you’re at it, grab a cold German Beer to go with the meal! :)
Bratwurst and Sauerkraut
Servings 5Ingredients
- 1 yellow onion ($0.28)
- 1 apple* ($0.41)
- 2 cloves garlic ($0.16)
- 1 Tbsp cooking oil ($0.04)
- 19 oz. bratwurst (5 links) ($3.49)
- 24 oz. sauerkraut ($1.69)
- 1/4 tsp caraway seeds (optional) ($0.02)
- 1/4 tsp paprika ($0.02)
- 1/4 tsp freshly cracked pepper ($0.02)
- 1 cup chicken broth ($0.13)
Instructions
- Slice the onion and the apple, and mince the garlic.
- Add the cooking oil to a large deep skillet or wide pot. Heat over medium. When the pan and oil are hot, add the bratwurst. Cook on each side until well browned (it does not need to be cooked through at this point). Remove the browned bratwurst to a clean plate.
- Add the sliced onions, apples, and garlic to the pan and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the onions are soft.
- Drain the sauerkraut and add it to the skillet, along with the caraway seeds, paprika, pepper, and chicken broth. Stir to combine with the apples and onions. Nestle the browned bratwurst down into the sauerkraut.
- Place a lid on the pan and allow the broth to come up to a simmer. Lower the heat slightly and continue to simmer the bratwurst in the sauerkraut and broth for 20 minutes, or until the bratwurst is cooked through. Serve hot.
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Notes
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How to Make Bratwurst and Sauerkraut – Step by Step Photos
Slice one yellow onion and one apple, and mince two cloves of garlic. Use a sweet variety apple, like Gala or Fuji.
Add a tablespoon of cooking oil to a deep skillet or wide pot and heat over medium. Once hot, add five links of bratwurst (about 19oz.) and cook on both sides until well browned. The bratwurst does not need to be cooked through at this point. Remove the sausage to a clean plate.
Add the onions, apples, and garlic to the skillet.
Sauté the onions, apples, and garlic over medium for about five minutes, or until the onions are soft.
Drain the sauerkraut and add it to the skillet along with ¼ tsp caraway seeds, ¼ tsp paprika, ¼ tsp pepper, and 1 cup chicken broth. Stir to combine and dissolve any browned bits off the bottom of the skillet.
Add the Bratwurst back to the skillet and nestle it down into the sauerkraut. Place a lid on the skillet and allow the broth to come to a simmer. Once simmering, lower the heat slightly and continue to simmer the bratwurst for about 20 minutes, or until it is cooked through.
Serve this bratwurst recipe hot with a bun or without, with some grainy mustard and a cold beer!
OMG! I loved loved LOVED this dish. The bratwurst was so juicy and tasty. The onions absorbed the broth and sexiness. The apple was a great addition for more sweetness. I recommend the caraway seeds because it added a rye bread flavor and worked very well. Super straightforward dish. Man if I had a German beer along with it! Get outta here.
I never thought about adding apples to this dish. But a green apple sounds really good. I also get the brats from Aldi (cheddar brats) but I use fermented sauerkraut which is full of probiotics. I serve mine on a bed of fried onions and peppers with a couple of cloves of garlic and yellow mustard.
Thank you! Absolutely delicious!
From a person who was turned off by the flavor of sauerkraut almost 60 years ago and haven’t eaten since, this recipe is absolutely delicious! Don’t change a thing, just make it as described. I will be passing this on to friends and keeping it handy in our recipe file “favorites” tab.
This was a good method for making bratwurst and sauerkraut with minimum fuss. I used the Kuhne brand and my German Mom complained that it wasn’t sour at all. She was right. Next time I won’t drain the liquid and will add less chicken broth. That may have thinned out the sauerkraut taste too much. Good recipe though.
I have a question about the bratwurst & sauerkraut recipe. The kind I’m used to is actually already cooked, I believe…like Johnsonville. Do I still follow the recipe the same? I guess I’d just brown the brats then?
Hi, there! Since we haven’t tested this recipe with pre-cooked bratwurst, I don’t feel comfortable giving you any suggestions that I can’t promise will be equally successful. Since pre-cooked brats are typically much smaller than uncooked ones, they will likely be very overcooked if following the steps as written. You can find the right kind in any grocery store — depending on the store, they may be located in the meat section rather than near the hot dogs. They will definitely have some at the deli counter. Here’s a link to what we’d suggest using, for a visual (also by Johnsonville): https://www.kroger.com/p/johnsonville-original-bratwursts/0007778200787?fulfillment=PICKUP&searchType=default_search
I hope that helps! ~Marion :)
Made this for my family for New Year’s Day and it was a big hit! I did substitute a light beer for the chicken broth and I’d say good decision.
Sounds good, the light beer sounds better than chicken broth. But,I don’t know 😄
I used a beer and a chicken boullion cube
This is easy to put together. I am cooking in the oven because I’m watching football. 375 degrees for 30 minutes. I also cut some small golden potatoes in 1/2 and played them cut side down. Looks awesome and cooking all by itself. Yum.
This is an excellent recipe, but using a can of beer instead of the chicken broth kicks it up a notch… or two!
Our family loved this recipe! We ate it with sweet potato oven fries and homemade sauerkraut, and it was just a great, hearty autumn meal. I used a yellow apple and it paired great with the sausages. Will definitely make it again.
I love this recipe. I made it using golden delicious apple the first time since that’s what I had on hand. The second Time I did use the Gala apples it did balance the flavor out just like you stated.
Very good!
I am making this the minute I finish making this comment. Have read several recipes. Not several, lots! And yours looks the best. I can’t wait. Having it with mashed potatoes. Thank you ! Signing up for your emails too.
Can this be frozen? Thanks.
Anything can be frozen, so yes.
What brand of sauerkraut is best? It’s hard to find a good sauerkraut where I live. Thanks
Beth just uses store brand. For this recipe it was Aldi’s. XOXO -Monti
I tend to avoid the kraut one finds put up in tin cans, opting rather for the refrigerated sort. Claussen makes a nice, crispy one, put up in glass jars, and usually found in the cold cuts case. There are also some nice krauts put up in plastic bags, also found with the cold cuts. If you must choose a canned one, go with a quality name-brand that you are familiar with. I once tried a canned variety, clearly marked on the label, “With Caraway Seeds”, which was atrocious. I learned my lesson.