How To Cook Bratwurst On The Grill Without Beer

Grilling Bratwurst Without Beer: Is There a Right Way? Placing your bratwurst directly onto the grill may not be the best method. Often, this results in bratwursts that are burnt on the outside and not fully cooked on the inside. The secret to perfectly grilling bratwurst lies in achieving that desirable crunch on the outside while ensuring the inside is fully cooked and juicy.

There are countless combinations you can make with brats. Let us show you how to cook bratwurst on the grill without beer to get them to be juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. 

The Best Ways to Grill Bratwurst Without Beer

Cooking brats properly is an art form that requires some practice. The following tips will help you get started. If you follow these simple guidelines, you will soon become known as the bratwurst master in your household.

Tip 1. Avoid Pricking The Sausage Casing To Cook Bratwurst On The Grill Without Beer

The casings of brats should not be pricked, as this results in overcooked meat and a harsh taste. Instead, let the juices mingle inside the casing.

Tip 2. Grill For 18 To 25 Minutes Over Medium Heat

Bratwurst should be grilled on the grill over medium heat if they are not cooked. When they’re done, there shouldn’t be any pink in the middle of the sausage and the thermometer should read 160 degrees.

Tip 3. Stay Away From Cheap Bratwurst To Cook Bratwurst On The Grill Without Beer

When it comes to cheap, poor-quality brats, they are like eating candy and calling it chocolate. That doesn’t sound right. Buy your brats from a high-quality brand and enjoy the finest brats this holiday season. The spicy flavor and locally sourced ingredients will delight your taste buds.

Tip 4. Stay Away From Pre Cooked Bratwursts To Cook Bratwurst On The Grill Without Beer

It’s tempting to get rid of some grill time, but precooked bratwursts never have the same full flavor as those that are freshly grilled. Most of them are also artificially flavor with smoke, which is a disservice to the art of grilling.

Tip 5. Lightly Brush The Grill With Oil

A coating of oil on the grill can prevent the brats from sticking. Be careful not to overdo it as you may end up with excessive smoke. Make sure you use oils with a high smoke point, such as canola, peanut, or sunflower oil.

Tip 6. Put Your Brats In Broth To Poach

If your bratwursts are not juicy or flavorful, simmer them in the bone broth after they have been cooked on the grill. 

Tradition Of Bratwurst To Cook Bratwurst On The Grill Without Beer

Wisconsin is famed for its beer and bratwurst due to its big German population. As Germans moved into the area in the 1800s, they brought their bratwurst sausage recipes. Traditional bratwurst is prepared from pork, although other bratwursts are made entirely of beef or other meats. It is your own choice for the brand of a brat to cook. Unless you reside in Wisconsin, where there are many wonderful options, Johnsonville is a popular national brand as good as any.

Although gas barbecues are good for bratwurst, the finest flavor comes from charcoal or wood. I’ve seen bratwurst fried in a skillet, but this diminishes the flavor to that of huge breakfast sausage.

Parboil The Bratwurst

To prepare the brats, boil them on the stove or cook them in a skillet before grilling. By doing this, the insides of the brats will be precooked and they will not burst open on the grill, releasing all their tasty juices. Cover the brats with a cold liquid ¾ of the way up in a pan. To add flavor without using beer you can use water or broth. Slowly simmer the brats until the instant-read thermometer indicates that they are 150°F inside.

The sausage casing contains a high-fat mixture of ground meat and spices. The fat in the mixture renders and the fluids inside the casing are released when heated. If the container fills rapidly with juice, it will probably burst. To solve this problem, begin by cooking your sausages at a low temperature.

On your grill, use a cast-iron skillet or an aluminum pan if you want to keep the mess outside. Placing the pan on the indirect side of the grill will prevent the liquid from boiling. Covering the grill will also preserve the heat.

Sear The Bratwurst For A Delicious Finish To Cook Bratwurst On The Grill Without Beer

During the parboiling process, prepare your gas or charcoal grill for finishing the brats. You can check that the brats have reached 150° internal temperature using an instant-read meat thermometer. You should then remove them from the cooking liquid and put them on the grill’s direct heat side. Sear the brats lightly on all sides for about 5 minutes.

The Best Way To Know When A Bratwurst Is Fully Cooked

A sausage is completely cooked once its internal temperature reaches 150 degrees. The grilling step is only used to add some color. It isn’t necessary to completely seat the casing, but it would be nice to give them a golden finish.

Cooking Time For Bratwurst In The Oven

Put thawed links on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper, 1 inch apart, and preheat oven to 350°F. Let the sausages in the oven for 16-18 minutes, until it reaches 160 degrees and the brats are browned.

Conclusion

Grilling bratwurst is undoubtedly the best way to prepare them. Ultimately, grilling is the most delicious way to cook food. You should always grill bratwurst on a grill designed specifically for this purpose. Serve on excellent quality fresh baked rolls (not hot dog buns) with the sautéed onion and pepper mix, brown or deli-style mustard, or a combination of the two. Use fresh sauerkraut from the supermarket’s refrigerated area if you want sauerkraut on your brats. With caraway seeds, I like to utilize the Bavarian technique. In a pan, heat it with some coarsely crushed black pepper.