Grilling bratwurst is a beloved tradition, especially during summer barbecues and gatherings. These flavorful sausages, particularly beer brats, elevate any occasion. But the question often arises: What To Serve With Brats to create a complete and satisfying meal?
This guide, inspired by Wisconsin’s rich bratwurst heritage, will explore the best side dishes and toppings to complement your brats, transforming your cookout into a feast. Drawing from generations of brat-grilling experience, we’ll delve into classic pairings and exciting new options to make your bratwurst shine.
Serving of grilled beer brats in buns surrounded by classic side dishes like potato chips and beer-boiled onions, illustrating ideal food pairings for a bratwurst meal.
Elevating Your Bratwurst Meal: The Best Side Dishes
While brats are undeniably the star, the right side dishes enhance the entire dining experience. When considering what to serve with brats, think about flavors and textures that complement the savory, rich taste of the sausage. Here are some top-notch side dish categories and ideas:
Classic BBQ Sides: Timeless Companions for Brats
For a traditional cookout feel, you can’t go wrong with these classic BBQ sides:
- Potato Salad: Creamy or German-style potato salad offers a cool and comforting contrast to the grilled brats.
- Coleslaw: A tangy coleslaw cuts through the richness of the bratwurst, providing a refreshing crunch.
- Baked Beans: Sweet and smoky baked beans are a hearty and satisfying side, perfect for a casual gathering.
- Corn on the Cob: Grilled or boiled corn on the cob is a quintessential summer side, adding sweetness and freshness.
- Potato Chips: For ultimate simplicity and crowd-pleasing appeal, a bowl of crispy potato chips is always a welcome addition.
Fresh and Light Salads: Balancing the Meal
To lighten up your bratwurst feast, consider these salad options:
- Pasta Salad: A vibrant pasta salad with vegetables and a vinaigrette dressing offers a refreshing and flavorful side.
- Green Salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette provides a healthy and palate-cleansing option.
- Cucumber Salad: A cool and crisp cucumber salad, perhaps with dill and vinegar, is a perfect summer side.
- Watermelon Salad: For a truly summery twist, a watermelon salad with feta and mint can be surprisingly delicious with brats.
Grilled Vegetable Skewers: Adding Smoky Flavors
Take advantage of the grill and add some smoky vegetable skewers to your menu. These pair wonderfully with brats:
- Bell Peppers and Onions: Classic grilled vegetables that caramelize beautifully and offer a sweet and savory flavor.
- Zucchini and Squash: Summer squashes grill quickly and provide a tender and slightly sweet side.
- Cherry Tomatoes and Mushrooms: These smaller vegetables cook well on skewers and offer bursts of flavor.
- Asparagus: Grilled asparagus is a sophisticated and healthy side that complements the richness of brats.
Unique and Flavorful Options: Thinking Outside the Bun
Looking for something a bit different to serve with your brats? Try these unique and flavorful sides:
- Sauerkraut: A traditional German pairing, sauerkraut’s tangy and fermented flavor is a natural complement to bratwurst.
- German Potato Pancakes (Kartoffelpuffer): Crispy potato pancakes offer a delightful textural contrast and authentic German touch.
- Mac and Cheese: Creamy mac and cheese is a comforting and crowd-pleasing side that works surprisingly well with brats.
- Beer-Boiled Onions: As featured in the brat recipe below, beer-boiled onions are a fantastic topping and side, adding savory sweetness.
The Perfect Bratwurst Toppings: Customizing Your Brat
Beyond side dishes, the right toppings are crucial for personalizing your bratwurst experience. Here are some essential and exciting topping ideas:
- Mustard: Yellow mustard, spicy brown mustard, Dijon mustard – the options are endless! Mustard’s tanginess is a classic bratwurst companion.
- Onions: Raw sliced onions, caramelized onions, or the beer-boiled onions from the recipe below add bite and sweetness.
- Sauerkraut: Beyond a side dish, sauerkraut is also a fantastic topping, adding a traditional German flavor.
- Relish: Sweet or dill relish provides a sweet and tangy contrast to the savory brat.
- Pickles: Pickle spears or slices offer a crunchy and sour element that cuts through the richness.
- Ketchup: A classic condiment for many, ketchup adds sweetness and acidity.
- Horseradish: For those who like a kick, horseradish delivers a sharp and pungent flavor.
- Cheese: Consider a slice of cheddar, Swiss, or provolone to melt over your brat for extra richness.
Quick & Delicious Beer Brat Recipe (Milwaukee-Style)
To ensure your brats are perfectly cooked to pair with your chosen sides and toppings, here’s a simple and flavorful Milwaukee-style beer brat recipe:
Inspired by tradition, this recipe focuses on simmering brats in beer before grilling to ensure they are juicy and flavorful.
Ingredients:
- 1 package (5-6) uncooked bratwurst
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 16-20 oz lager-style beer (like Miller Lite, Coors Light, or Pabst Blue Ribbon)
- Bratwurst buns
- Your favorite toppings and side dishes!
Instructions (Gas Grill):
- Preheat Grill: Preheat your gas grill to medium heat (around 350°F).
- Sauté Onions: In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté sliced onions until softened but not fully cooked (about 5-7 minutes).
- Beer Simmer: Add brats to the saucepan and pour in beer, ensuring brats are submerged. Bring to a gentle simmer (do not boil!). Simmer until brats are plump and gray with no pink visible (about 5-7 minutes).
- Grill Brats: Transfer brats to the preheated grill. Reduce heat under the brats to low-medium. Grill, turning frequently, until casings are browned and slightly crisp (about 5-7 minutes).
- Serve: Serve immediately on buns with your chosen toppings and side dishes.
Instructions (Charcoal Grill):
- Prepare Charcoal Grill: Light charcoal and preheat grill with lid on.
- Sauté Onions & Beer Simmer: Follow steps 2 and 3 above for sautéing onions and simmering brats in beer.
- Grill Brats: Bank hot coals to one side of the grill. Place brats on the opposite side (indirect heat). Grill with lid closed, turning frequently, until casings are browned (about 5-7 minutes).
- Serve: Serve immediately on buns with your favorite toppings and side dishes.
Tips for Perfect Beer Brats:
- Simmer, Don’t Boil: Gentle simmering keeps brats juicy. Boiling can cause them to lose flavor and moisture.
- Control Grill Heat: Use indirect heat on a charcoal grill or low-medium heat on a gas grill to prevent casings from bursting and losing juices.
- Use a Lager: Classic lager-style beers work best. Avoid hoppy IPAs or citrusy beers.
- Check Internal Temperature: Brats are fully cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 160°F. Use a meat thermometer inserted into the end of the sausage to check.
Conclusion: Crafting Your Perfect Bratwurst Meal
Figuring out what to serve with brats is key to creating a memorable and delicious meal. From classic BBQ sides to fresh salads and flavorful toppings, the options are plentiful. By choosing complementary flavors and textures, and by following a simple beer brat recipe, you can elevate your next cookout and impress your guests with a truly satisfying bratwurst feast. Enjoy experimenting with different combinations to find your personal favorites!
