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Home » Kid Approved » Wisconsin Beer Brats

Wisconsin Beer Brats

Published: Jan 29, 2019 · Modified: Jun 21, 2021 by Ashley Lecker · This post may contain affiliate links · 33 Comments

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Wisconsin Beer Brats. Simmered in beer and onion, grilled, and served slathered in sauerkraut and mustard. Perfect for game day or a summer cookout.

brats on buns

There are few thing that speak louder to me than grilling on game day or splurging on a bunch of appetizers at a tailgate.

I live in Green Bay, Wisconsin and we love our Packers. We also love any tradition that allows us to watch the Packers while consumer beer and something hot off the grill. Brats are also delicious for a summer cookout. That being said, I felt this was the perfect time to share my recipe for Wisconsin Beer Brats.

I even grilled these babies in the snow. Grilling is a year-round activity in these parts.

Brats are a staple at our house and we prepare them a few different ways, but this method is my all-time favorite. I simmer my brats in beer with thinly sliced onions and finish them on the grill. No fancy seasoning mixes needed. The brats can be returned to the beer and onion pot to keep warm, or they can be served right away.

  • brats in a pot
  • brats in a pot
  • brats in a pot

Ingredeints

  • Bratwurst - There are so many types of brats to make Wisconsin Beer Brats. Pick your favorite. I typically choose original or cheese.
  • white onion - yellow onion works well too.
  • light beer - I typically use something like Miller Lite
  • 10 brat buns - hot dog buns work too, but brat buns tend to be a little sturdier and do not fall apart as easily.
  • Assorted toppings of choice: sauerkraut, mustard, ketchup, pickles
brats in a pot

Instructions

  1. Place brats and onions into a pot. Pour beer over the brats and onion. 
  2. Turn meat to medium-high. Bring to a light simmer and cook for 15 minutes. 
  3. Heat grill to medium-high heat. Remove brats from beer and reduce heat to medium to allow onions to continue to cook. Place on grill and cook 3-4 minutes then flip to cook the other side. 
  4. Remove brats from grill and serve with onion and desire toppings.  If they need to be kept warm for a period of time place them into the beer and onion pot to keep warm until ready to serve. 
brats in a pot

Topping Options

So what does a person put on a Wisconsin Beer Brat? Well, there are purists who like them plain or with a few onions.

There are some that insist on mustard only, and then there are some that insist on mustard and sauerkraut only.....and maybe onions too. Ketchup and pickles get the side-eye from some people, but it is actually pretty common to see ketchup on a brat. I always have a bit of a laugh because some people are very strong about the brat topping opinions.

What do I like on mine? I will, happily, eat any of the above, but my topping of choice are beer simmer onion, grainy mustard, and lots of sauerkraut.

brats on buns
brats on buns

Leftover Brat Ideas!

I like to use leftover Wisconsin Beer Brats to make a delicious brat chowder, Brats Bites, or Beer and Brat Mac and Cheese.

Another great way to use leftover brats, if you actually have leftovers, is the chop them and scramble them in eggs. Brats 'n' eggs is out go to breakfast when we are at our cottage in Door County the morning after a cookout.

brats on buns

Looking for More Football Recipes?

Loaded Beer Dip

Slow Cooker Creamy Mac and Cheese with Bacon

Slow Cooker Little Smokies

Baked Chicken Taquitos from Kylee Cooks

brats on buns

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brats on buns
brats on buns

Wisconsin Beer Brats

5 from 19 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 10 people

Ingredients
 
 

  • 10 Bratwurst
  • 1 white onion, peeled and sliced
  • 48 oz light beer (4 cans)
  • 10 brat buns
  • Assorted toppings of choice: sauerkraut, mustard, ketchup, pickles

Instructions
 

  • Place brats and onions into a pot. Pour beer over the brats and onion. 
  • Turn meat to medium-high. Bring to a light simmer and cook for 15 minutes. 
  • Heat grill to medium-high heat. Remove brats from beer and reduce heat to medium to allow onions to continue to cook. Place on grill and cook 3-4 minutes then flip to cook the other side. 
  • Remove brats from grill and serve with onion and desire toppings.  If they need to be kept warm for a period of time place them into the beer and onion pot to keep warm until ready to serve. 
Tried this recipe? I'd love to see it! Mention @CheeseCurdInParadise or tag #cheesecurdinparadise on Instagram!
brats in buns on a wood platter
« Loaded Beer Dip
Irish Colcannon with Bacon »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kate

    January 29, 2019 at 7:02 am

    These look so good! And I LOVE the idea of using the leftovers in scrambled eggs!

    Reply
  2. Jolene

    January 29, 2019 at 7:27 am

    We would never have leftovers, I'll have to make extra and hide them to use them in scrambled eggs!

    Reply
  3. Wendy Klik

    January 29, 2019 at 8:22 am

    These are perfect, especially with the deep freeze we're having when grilling is not such a great option.

    Reply
  4. Erin Vasicek

    January 29, 2019 at 10:36 am

    Love brats for football watching!

    Reply
  5. Lisa Kerhin

    January 29, 2019 at 2:28 pm

    There's nothing like a Wisconsin Brat! I love your recipe and definitely will be adding this our menu

    Reply
  6. Hezzi-D

    January 29, 2019 at 7:27 pm

    Yum! This looks like something my whole family woudl enjoy!

    Reply
  7. Karen

    January 29, 2019 at 8:44 pm

    Can you believe I've never had brats? It must not be a California thing. These look delicious and I can't wait to try your recipe. Great photos btw.

    Reply
    • CheeseCurdInParadise

      January 30, 2019 at 8:07 am

      Thank you! I hope you get to try them!

      Reply
  8. Colleen - Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck

    January 30, 2019 at 5:21 pm

    I love how brown you got those sausages...it adds so much flavor!!!

    Reply
  9. Cindy

    January 30, 2019 at 6:13 pm

    I love the idea of simmering brats in beer and onions. Yum!

    Reply
  10. Mackenzie

    January 31, 2019 at 8:22 am

    I love how simple these are to make, but they still pack so much flavor! I'm looking forward to game day!

    Reply
  11. Danielle Wolter

    February 01, 2019 at 9:06 pm

    perfect game day food! i'll bet simmering them in beer and onions makes them taste like perfection!

    Reply
  12. Mahy Elamin

    February 02, 2019 at 3:29 am

    I've made this several times both for the family and for company. Everyone loves it. This will go into my regulation rotation.

    Reply
  13. Natalie

    February 02, 2019 at 1:11 pm

    Wow I love these! I bet my boys will love it too. I must make them this tomorrow. Looks so delicious and flavorful.

    Reply
  14. Melissa

    February 02, 2019 at 1:51 pm

    Mmm this reminds me of the brats we get outside the arena downtown Toronto after a concert or game!!! Now I have a recipe to make them myself, thanks!

    Reply
  15. Catalina

    February 03, 2019 at 1:23 am

    Onion makes everything better, isn't it? I love it. And these beer brats would be perfect for my lunch!

    Reply
  16. Ellen

    February 07, 2019 at 5:47 am

    Classic football food! Such an easy way to serve them too!

    Reply
  17. Stine Mari

    May 17, 2019 at 8:54 am

    Oh wow I'm dying to try this! I grill all year-round too, neither snow nor rain can stop me. Grilling food always brings out the best flavors. And cooking it in beer and onion beforehand sounds absolutely scrumptious!

    Reply
  18. Vidya Narayan

    May 18, 2019 at 7:30 am

    Ideal food for game nights indeed. Grilled food is certainly the best and I cannot wait to do that come monsoon next month in India. Currently the weather is too hot. I loved the idea of using the leftovers by the way.

    Reply
  19. April

    May 18, 2019 at 2:10 pm

    I am so exciting about this grilling season. I've got a few incredible recipes that I am soooooo ready to try (including this now), so it is promising to be a fabulous season!

    Reply
  20. Mimi

    May 18, 2019 at 2:11 pm

    Yum. I think the only issue with the recipes like this is that you need to make a lot of servings because they tend to be extremely popular and end very quickly LOL I can't wait to try these brats!

    Reply
  21. Celeste

    May 18, 2019 at 6:22 pm

    Looks delicious and perfect for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. I love that you used leftovers in another recipe, that's versatility.

    Reply
  22. Jacqueline Debono

    May 19, 2019 at 11:03 am

    I have never had a Wisconsin brat but I love this way of cooking them in beer and onions! I am sure I can do this with the sausages we have here in Italy too!

    Reply
  23. Jenni LeBaron

    May 19, 2019 at 5:29 pm

    YUM! I love brats and have never made them in beer before. I can't wait to try this recipe this summer for a cookout!

    Reply
  24. Amanda

    May 20, 2019 at 12:32 am

    We make brats about once a week during the summer, and I love how quick, easy and delicious this recipe is! The brats are so flavorful and always a crowd-pleaser. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  25. Ramona

    May 20, 2019 at 12:59 am

    Omg, these sausages look divine! What a great recipe, perfect for a picnic which we are planning on going this coming Sunday. Thank you so much for sharing this delicious and easy to make recipe. Delicious!

    Reply
  26. Jeannette (Jay Joy)

    May 20, 2019 at 3:13 am

    These beer brats look amazing! I wish I could use these for watching football, but we moved to a different country where we watch rugby now. That will do!

    Reply
  27. Geetanjali Tung

    May 20, 2019 at 6:26 am

    Love the idea of using leftovers. The sausage, beer and onion sounds yummy. A best recipe for weekends! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  28. Kelly Anthony

    May 20, 2019 at 1:07 pm

    We grill year round here in Texas too. These will be perfect for game days as I can keep them hot in the beer and onion mixture.

    Reply
  29. Maman de sara

    May 20, 2019 at 1:27 pm

    Just looking at those pictures, makes me want to have brats right now. They look yummy.

    Reply
  30. Kari Heron

    May 23, 2019 at 11:16 am

    Are brat buns different from hot dog buns? This is such an interesting recipe and a brand new cooking concept for me.

    Reply
    • CheeseCurdInParadise

      May 23, 2019 at 3:31 pm

      They are different. Hot bog buns can be used in place, but the brat bun is breadier and heartier than a hot dog bun. I find the hot dog buns get a little too soggy, but they will still work.

      Reply
  31. Lathiya

    May 23, 2019 at 1:38 pm

    I love such easy recipes...With simple ingredients, this is a great dish to serve any day.

    Reply

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Hi, I am Ashley. I am a busy mom and wife working to make family, food, and life an adventure!

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