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    Home » Main Dish Recipes

    Grilled Brats - Traditional Grill or Ninja Foodi Grill

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    Posted April 20, 2022 by Wendy Polisi

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    This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

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    Grilling season is officially here, which means it's time to break out the grill! Whether you prefer traditional grilling or using a Nina Foodi Grill, there's nothing like the taste of grilled brats. These sausage links are perfect for summer parties and are always a crowd-pleaser!

    Overhead close up photo of grilled brats.

    Do you like grilled brats? I sure do. 

    There is something about grilled meat that makes it so much more delicious. And when that meat is a brat, well, even better! 

    Whether you are a fan of cooking outdoors or like to stay cool inside, this beer brats recipe is sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike!

    Ingredients for Making Grilled Brats

    Photo of a mason jar of beer, bottle of avocado oil, plate of brats, onion, garlic, and seasonings.
    • Beer: I recommend using a lager beer.
    • Caraway Seeds:  Caraway, sausage, and sauerkraut are a match made in heaven.  Its taste is sweet with a nutty sharpness.
    • Mustard Seeds:  White mustard is the mildest of seeds, with the heat increasing as the seeds get darker.  Use what you like!
    • Onions:  White or yellow onions work best.
    • Garlic:  Use fresh cloves of garlic
    • Bratwurst:  You can use your favorite type of brat.  While brats are typically made of pork, veal and beef brats are good too.
    • Oil:  Use a high-heat oil.  I like avocado, but you can use your preferred oil.
    Photo of the cover of a Ninja Foodi Grill Cookbook.

    Tips & Tricks

    • Don’t forget: a perfectly grilled beer brat needs a perfectly butter toasted bun!  You can make your buns your use buns intended for hot dogs.
    • Be sure to start with high-quality bratwurst.  You can use whatever type of meat you like (beef or pork), but make sure that they don’t look dry.
    • Make sure you preheat your grill before cooking.  This will help to prevent the brats from sticking and ensure that they cook evenly.

    Serving Suggestions

    Serve your grilled brats on a bun with your favorite condiments and toppings. Mustard, onions, peppers, and sauerkraut are traditional toppings.  Some people like to add cheese or bacon - feel free to get creative.

    My favorite sauce is this delicious Brat Sauce which comes together easily and is a fabulous way to take flavors to the next level.Want a side dish?  This Instant Pot Red Potato Salad is perfect!  Corn is also a great option.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Should you boil brats before grilling?


    There are some schools of thought about grilling brats. Boiling the brats before grilling them is the best way to ensure that they are cooked all the way through.

    Boiling in beer also imparts flavor to the brats. Once grilled, your taste buds will be doing a happy dance.

    Some people believe that grilling them without boiling is just as effective and results in a juicier sausage. It is a matter of personal preference.

    What’s the best beer for beer brats? 


    If you choose to boil your brats before grilling them, it’s important to use a beer that compliments the flavor of the sausage. 

    A light lager or wheat beer is a good choice. Guinness is also a popular option.

    How long do you boil brats before grilling?


    I recommend to simmer the brats rather than bring to a boil.  You want to simmer for about seven minutes.

    Can you grill brats without boiling them?


    If you choose not to boil your brats before grilling them, simply grill them over medium heat for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until they are cooked through.

    There is a risk that the casing will burst, and you miss some of the flavors from boiling but this method works.

    What happens if the casing bursts?


    If the casing burst, it can create a bit of a mess.  Additionally, the brat may be a bit over-dry.

    Tools Needed to Make Beer Brats

    As an amazon associate, I earn from qualifying sales.

    • Grill, Cast Iron Grill Pan, or Ninja Foodi Grill
    • Large Pot

    Storage

    Cooked brats can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.  Reheat them in a skillet, grill, or Ninja Foodi Grill over medium high heat.

    How to Make Grilled Brats

    First, start by marinating the brats.

    To do this, pour the beer into a stockpot.  Add the caraway seeds, mustard seeds, onion, and garlic. (You can add salt and pepper to taste.)

    Marinate for an hour.

    Overhead photo of brats, onions, and seasonings in a large pot.
    Overhead photo of brats, onions, seasonings, and beer in a large pot.
    Brats cooking on a Ninja Foodi Grill.

    Next, bring the pot to a simmer over high heat.  Cook at a simmer for 7 minutes, reducing the temperature to medium-low heat as necessary to barely maintain a simmer.

    Remove from heat and let sit for another 30 minutes.  

    Remove the brats from the liquid and brush them with olive oil.

    Ninja Foodi Grill Brats

    Preheat your Foodi Grill to Grill/High, and set the timer to 10 minutes.

    Cook for 4 to 5 minutes per side, until the outsides are lightly charred and heated through.

    Grilled Brats on an Outdoor Grills

    Heat the grill to high heat and brush the grates with oil. 

    Grill bratwurst for 8 to 12 minutes, until the casings are golden brown and the brats are heated through.

    Use a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature reaches 165° F.

    More Grilling Recipes to Try

    • Grilled Quesadillas are a delicious family favorite that is so easy to customize!
    • Halloumi Kebabs are a fun way to mix things up!  They are a great vegetarian main course and a side that will be loved by everyone.
    • Looking for an easy chicken recipe that is anything but boring?  Grilled Chipotle Chicken is simple perfection.
    • Grilled Filet Mignon never fails to impress!
    • For a simple summer meal, it doesn’t get better than this Grilled Steak with Slaw.
    Photo of the cover of a Ninja Foodi Grill Cookbook.
    If you like this recipe don't forget to leave a 5 star rating and let me know how it went in the below comments, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, Instagram, and PINTEREST to see all my delicious recipes.
    Square close up photo of grilled brats.
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    Grilled Brats (Ninja Foodi Grill or Outdoors)

    Grilled Brats are a summertime tradition and it doesn't get any better than this easy recipe!
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time19 mins
    Marinating Time1 hr 30 mins
    Total Time2 hrs 4 mins
    Course: Main
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: grilling, Ninja Foodi Grill
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 431kcal
    Author: Wendy Polisi

    Ingredients

    • 36 ounces beer
    • ½ tablespoon caraway seeds
    • ½ tablespoon mustard seeds
    • 2 large onions roughly chopped
    • 2 cloves garlic smashed
    • 2 pounds bratwurst pricked with a fork
    • Avocado oil for brushing
    • For serving: Buns and Brat Sauce

    Instructions

    • Place the beer, caraway seeds, mustard seeds, onion, garlic, and bratwurst in a stockpot and allow to marinate for 1 hour.
    • Bring the pot to a simmer over high heat and cook for 7 minutes, reducing heat as necessary to just maintain the simmer.
    • Remove from the heat, and let sit for another 30 minutes.
    • Remove the brats from the liquid.
    • Brush with avocado oil.
    • Ninja Foodi Grill
    • Preheat your Ninja Foodi Grill on the Grill setting to high heat and set the timer for 10 minutes. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes per side, until lightly charred and heated through.
    • Serve warm.
    • Outdoor grill
    • Heat your grill to high heat.
    • Cook the Brats for 8 to 12 minutes, until the casing are golden brown.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 431kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 84mg | Sodium: 966mg | Potassium: 475mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 9IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 1mg

    Filed Under:

    Grilling RecipesMain Dish RecipesNinja Foodi Grill Recipes

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    About Wendy Polisi

    Hi, I’m Wendy! I’m a cook, 5 time cookbook author, blogger, natural health enthusiast…and most importantly a mom. My boys are 16 & 17 and my late life princess is 9.

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