Bring a taste of Germany to your dinner table with this hearty Bratwurst and Sauerkraut recipe. Juicy brats are simmered with tangy sauerkraut, sweet apples, and a splash of broth and apple juice for a wonderfully flavorful dish! It's a comforting meal that's perfect for cozy fall evenings or fun Oktoberfest celebrations.
🔍 Quick Look: Bratwurst and Sauerkraut
- 🕒 Ready In: 45 minutes
- 🍴 Servings: 5
- 🔥 Calories: ~273 calories
- ⭐ Main Ingredients: Bratwurst, sauerkraut, apple, onion
- 📖 Dietary Info: Dairy-free, gluten-free, low-carb, keto
- 👩🍳 Method: Stove-top
- ⭐ Difficulty: Easy
This bratwurst and sauerkraut recipe reminds me of my German grandpa. Growing up, hearty German dishes like this made an appearance at family gatherings. It's a recipe that feels like a little piece of my heritage. It's warm, comforting and meant to be shared with those you love!
Jump to:
❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Classic German Flavor - Juicy brats, tangy sauerkraut, and a hint of apple all come together in this hearty dish that feels like it came straight from a Bavarian restaurant!
- Simple One-Pan Meal - With just a few basic steps, you'll have this comforting dinner on the table in under an hour.
- Perfect for Fall or Oktoberfest - Whether you're celebrating the season or just craving something warm and satisfying, this recipe is perfect paired with soft pretzels, coarse mustard, and a cold apple drink.
🛒 Key Ingredients
- Bratwurst: I like to use high-quality, uncooked bratwurst straight from the butcher since I think it has the best flavor. But you can really use any kind!
- Sauerkraut: Tangy and slightly crunchy, sauerkraut gives this recipe its signature German flavor.
- Apples: I used Honeycrisp apples in this recipe, but any variety will work.
- Onion: Sliced onions bring a subtle sweetness that balances the tang of the sauerkraut.
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
🔄 Substitutions & Variations
- Bratwurst: Bratwurst is obviously authentic, but you can also swap it for smoked sausage, kielbasa, or even chicken sausage.
- Apple Juice: If you want less sweetness, replace the apple juice with more chicken broth instead.
- Caraway Seeds: If you don't have them, fennel seeds have a similar flavor, or you can simply leave them out.
🥣 How to Make Bratwurst and Sauerkraut
Step 1: Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add bratwursts and cook until browned on all sides, about 6-8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
Step 2: Add butter to the same skillet. Once it's melted, add in the sliced onions. Sauté until they are softened and lightly golden, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 3: Reduce the heat to medium. Stir in the sauerkraut, apple slices, caraway seeds (if using), and a few cracks of black pepper. Pour in the broth and apple juice and stir to combine.
Step 4: Nestle the browned bratwursts into the sauerkraut mixture. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 20-25 minutes or until the sausages are fully cooked (internal temp 160°F/71°C).
Taste, and adjust seasoning with salt if needed.
🌟Expert Tips
- Brown the sausages well. Take the time to brown the brats on both sides. A deep golden crust on the sausages adds so much more flavor to the finished dish.
- Taste the sauerkraut first. If it's very sour, you can give it a quick rinse before cooking. Otherwise, just drain out the excess liquid for the best flavor.
- Go low and slow. One everything is simmering, keep the heat at low. This lets the flavors meld together and it keeps the sausages nice and juicy.
💭 FAQs
This dish is great on it's own! But if you want to serve a side or two, you can't go wrong with Homemade Soft Pretzels, rye bread, mashed potatoes, German potato salad, spaetzle, or roasted veggies.
Not always! It just depends on if your sauerkraut is very sour or not. If it is, just give it a quick rinse to help mellow out the flavor. Otherwise, you can simply drain it and add it straight to the pan.
🥨 More German Recipes to Try
📋 Recipe
Bratwurst and Sauerkraut
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4-6 fresh bratwurst
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium yellow onion thinly sliced
- 3 cups sauerkraut drained and rinsed (if very sour)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup apple juice
- 1 apple any variety, unpeeled, thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon caraway seeds optional
- salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- fresh parsley minced, for garnish
- coarse mustard for serving
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add bratwursts and cook until browned on all sides, about 6-8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Melt butter in the same pan. Add in the sliced onions. Sauté until softened and lightly golden, 5-7 minutes.
- Turn the heat to medium. Stir in sauerkraut, apple slices (if using), caraway seeds, and a few cracks of black pepper. Pour in the broth and apple juice and stir to combine.
- Nestle the browned bratwursts into the sauerkraut mixture. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 20-25 minutes until sausages are fully cooked (internal temp 160°F/71°C).
- Taste, and adjust seasoning with salt if needed. Serve hot with coarse German mustard and any sides, if desired. Garnish with minced parsley.
Comments
No Comments