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    Home » Kitchen Tips » Grilling

    Drunken Brats and Caramelized Onions

    Published: May 19, 2014 · Modified: May 22, 2021 by Jessica Fisher

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    Add an extra layer of flavor to your bratwurst by simmering them in beer or ale and then finishing them on the grill.

    A plate of food on a table, with Hot dog and sides

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    I don’t recall my parents every serving bratwurst. We were a hot dog family. Hot dogs that my dad burned beyond recognition on the grill.

    That’s one of the many things that I love about my husband. He can grill hot dogs without their looking like they were in a blazing inferno.

    But, I didn’t meet bratwurst until I went to Minnesota at age 8. My mom had been busy having babies, four of them, so we hadn’t gone back to her home state until I was 8. Then I spent the next eight summers except for one, driving with my family to the Midwest. I loved spending time with my Gramma John who was an excellent cook and baker.

    I remember walking the streets of some small Minnesota town with Gramma John and heading to a butcher shop for “the best bratwurst”. And history was made. I loved the flavor of bratwurst, so much better than a hot dog.

    The rest of the family is divided on the issue. FishPapa and the big kids love brats. Love Bratwurst with Sauteed Peppers and Onions. The littles still go for hot dogs. (We like Hebrew National as well as Trader Joe’s and Simple Truth brands.)

    I buy bratwurst whenever I see a good sale. My target price is $2.99/package. I buy as many as I can and stash them in the freezer. They make for a good cheap eat that can be easily dressed up.

    A close up of a Bratwurst on a plate

    Precooking the brats allows you to do a couple things: you make sure that they are cooked through and you get to add flavor. These brats are drunk. Simmered in beer or ale and then finished on the grill, they’ve got a little extra flavor and caramelization going.

    If you don’t purchase alcohol or live in a dry county, you can use chicken broth. It won’t have quite the same flavor, but will still be good. Be sure to finish caramelizing the onions for a tasty topping.

    this …
    If you prepare this recipe, be sure to share a picture on social media and hashtag it #GOODCHEAPEATS. I can't wait to see what you cook up!
    hot dog with onions on a plate with sides

    Drunken Brats and Caramelized Onions

    Add an extra layer of flavor to your bratwurst by simmering them in beer or ale and then finishing them on the grill. Caramelized onions make for a luscious topping.
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 17 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 545kcal
    Author: Jessica Fisher
    Cost: $8

    Ingredients

    • 8 bratwurst sausages
    • 1 12-ounce bottle beer or ale
    • 1 onion sliced
    • salt
    • black pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
    • ¼ teaspoon paprika
    • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
    • 8 hot dog buns
    • condiments for bratwurst
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Preheat an outdoor grill.
    • Place the bratwurst, beer, and onion in a large skillet. Season with pepper. Simmer, slightly covered, until the brats are cooked through, about 10 minutes.
    • Drain off the beer. Place the brats on the grill and cook until the skins are crisp, about 5 minutes. (If you've got inclement weather, brown the brats in the pan.)
    • Meanwhile, saute the onions in the skillet, stirring in the thyme and paprika. Deglaze the pan with the balsamic vinegar, scraping up any browned bits. Adjust seasonings.
    • Serve the brats in buns with the onions and your favorite condiments.

    Notes

    Nutritional values are approximate and are based on ¼ of the recipe. Refrigerate leftovers promptly and use within 4 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 545kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 84mg | Sodium: 1177mg | Potassium: 512mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 62IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 115mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Tell us what you think! Your reviews help us develop better recipes and give newcomers the confidence to try your favorites. Scroll down to leave a starred comment.
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Joshua Hampton

      May 21, 2014 at 3:44 am

      I could taste these brats already. Definitely hitting the grill with them this weekend.

      Reply
    2. Jenny S

      May 20, 2014 at 5:11 pm

      Definitely a minnesota summer classic here. We love getting in all the grill time we can!

      Reply
    3. Jennifer

      May 20, 2014 at 5:54 am

      As a child, that simmering beer was so stinky! Now it makes my mouth water. Love bratwurst!

      Reply
    4. Trish

      May 19, 2014 at 5:21 pm

      interested in those delicious looking beans you served with the brats (which sound fabulous!!) – any chance of a recipe for them, or have you already shared that?

      Reply
      • Jessica Fisher

        May 19, 2014 at 10:19 pm

        That’s a white bean salad we tried this weekend. Still in the testing phase. Soon. 🙂

        Reply
    5. Carrie Roer

      May 19, 2014 at 11:05 am

      Yes yes yes this is THE way to cook brats in the summer!! My in-laws have been doing it this way for years. We will often heat a little more beer and water in a slow cooker and put the grilled brats and onions back to soak, especially if we’re having a party where people come and go at the food table.

      Reply

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    jessica from good cheap eats

    Hi, I'm Jessica! I'm a 4x cookbook author and 6x mom. I know what it is to be in a hurry and on a budget. I believe anyone can prepare delicious meals -- no matter what's on their plate. I've been featured on Good Morning America, PBS News Hour, and NBC.

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