Beer Brats

Beer Brats

Bratwurst fresh off the grill is one of my summertime favorites. They are so simple to prepare. Even if you are not a cook or a grill master, anyone can handle making a good beer brat. All you need are a couple of beers (no dark beer), an onion, and mustard, bratwurst and hot dog buns. I like the ‘Permio’ brand of bratwurst that Costco’s carries which are all natural with no preservatives. It comes in 4 perforated packs of 6 each bratwurst that freeze well. I also prefer the hotdog buns that the Publix bakery sells. They have no preservatives as well and tastes so much better than the brand names on the bread aisle. After you pull apart the buns, slice them down the center instead of on the sides like the name brands. The brats will stay upright instead of falling over. Toast these buns on the grill right after you pull the brats off and it will give the buns a nice hint of smoke. Simmering the brats in beer, mustard and sliced onions really gives them a nice flavor that is not ‘beery’ tasting at all and quite frankly just adds a nice dimension to the overall grilled flavor. It is also a must to use the delicatessen style mustard that has horseradish in it to finish off the beer brat. Boar’s Head makes a very nice ‘Delicatessen Style’ mustard. Take a toasted hot dog bun load a grilled brat, squirt a few squirts of deli style mustard and top with the beer simmered onions and you will have a very fine beer brat to enjoy.

Beer Brats

1 pkg. of 6 bratwurst

2 bottles of beer (any kind except dark)

1 lg. onion, thickly sliced

¼ cup yellow mustard

6 bakery hot dog buns

Boar’s Head ‘Delicatessen Style’ mustard

In a large saucepan, bring the beer and the yellow mustard to a boil. Whisk until fully incorporated. Add the sliced onions and bratwurst and simmer on low for 12- 15 minutes or until the brats turn white. In the meantime light a charcoal grill. When the charcoal is an ash color it is ready. Spread the coals out and grill the beer soaked bratwurst for 2-3 minutes on each side until they are slightly charred. Remove from heat and add the hot dog buns. Toast the buns for about 1-2 minutes or until lightly toasted. Top each bun with a brat then add the deli style mustard to taste, top with the beer simmered onions and serve.

Makes 6 brats.