Beer-Braised Brats
Recipe from Midwest Living

Grill the bratwurst, then simmer them in a sweet and tangy beer sauce. When you're ready for dinner, put the brats in a bun and top with the pickles and cranberry relish.


Beer-Braised Brats

by 4  people


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Servings: 10 sandwiches
Prep Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 50 mins

 
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Ingredients
  • 10 
    uncooked bratwurst links (2 1/2 pounds total)
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  • 1/4 cup
    butter
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  • 1 large
    onion, halved and cut into thin slices
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  • 2 12-ounce bottles or cans
    dark German beer
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  • 2 tablespoons
    packed brown sugar
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  • 2 tablespoons
    vinegar
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  • 1 teaspoon
    caraway seeds
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  • 1 teaspoon
    dried thyme, crushed
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  • 1 teaspoon
    Worcestershire sauce
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  • 10 
    hoagie buns, bratwurst buns, or other crusty rolls, split and toasted
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  •  
    Easy Cranberry-Pickle Relish
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Directions
1.
Pierce bratwurst with fork. For a charcoal grill: Arrange medium-hot coals around a drip pan. Test for medium heat above pan. Place bratwurst on grill rack over drip pan. Cover; grill 20 to 30 minutes or until instant-read thermometer inserted into bratwurst registers 160 degree F, turning once halfway through grilling time. (For a gas grill: Preheat the grill. Reduce heat to medium. Adjust for indirect cooking. Grill as directed above.)
2.
Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, heat butter over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir about 5 minutes or until tender. Add beer, brown sugar, vinegar, caraway seeds, thyme, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Place bratwurst in beer mixture; keep warm until serving time.
3.
To serve, place grilled bratwurst in a bun or roll. Using a slotted spoon, top with some cooked onion slices and Easy Cranberry-Pickle Relish. Makes 10 sandwiches.

Easy Cranberry-Pickle Relish
In a small bowl, combine 1 cup canned whole cranberry sauce and 1/2 cup sweet pickle relish. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

Note
Can tote cooked brats and the beer cooking liquid to your tailgating site in an insulated container. Serve within 1 to 2 hours.

Nutrition information
Per serving: Calories 682, Total Fat 33 g, Saturated Fat 12 g, Monounsaturated Fat 15 g, Polyunsaturated Fat 2 g, Cholesterol 76 mg, Sodium 1341 mg, Carbohydrate 70 g, Total Sugar 23 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 20 g. Daily Values: Vitamin A 0%, Vitamin C 3%, Calcium 12%, Iron 14%. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
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Cooking the bratwurst in beer before grilling tenderizes the casings and ups the flavor value.

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