Seanna's Kitchen

  • All Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Threads
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • All Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Threads
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Dinner Recipes

    Grilled Beer Brats

    Last Updated: Apr 29, 2024 · Published: Jul 13, 2023 · by Seanna Borrows · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. · 4 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Pin This!
    A grilled beer brat with yellow mustard in a bun being held up with a title banner at top of image.

    Grilled Beer Brats - Make perfectly grilled Wisconsin beer brats every time with this easy grilling recipe. We'll show you how long to grill brats after boiling them in beer to make them super juicy and flavorful.

    5 grilled beer brats lined up on a white plate.

    Juicy, beer-boiled brats are a game day staple around the country, but especially in Wisconsin and the Midwest, where I grew up. You can find them all over the Midwest served at bars, game day cookouts and tailgates, backyard barbecues and family get-togethers. Anywhere you have them, they make a delicious meal.

    Grilled beer brats are delicious on a bun with mustard. They are also so good topped with sauerkraut, or grilled onions and peppers. And they go great with a side of baked beans, or potato salad, or homemade coleslaw. Be sure to check out our favorite BBQ side dish recipes.

    And If you have any leftovers, turn them into a delicious Leftover Brat Pasta.

    Be sure to check out our other grilling recipes, like Grilled Ribeye, Grilled Lamb Chops, Grilled Chicken, or Grilled Flank Steak.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Notes on Ingredients
    • What Are Bratwurst?
    • How to Make Grilled Beer Brats
    • Pro Tips
    • Recipe FAQS
    • Best Brat Toppings
    • What To Serve With Brats
    • More Grilling Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Community

    Ingredients

    A grilled beer brat with yellow mustard in a bun being held up to the camera.

    Notes on Ingredients

    • fresh bratwurst - We use Johnsonville Brats. Super flavorful, fresh brats, made in the United States, in the Midwest. Your local butcher shop may also sell house made bratwurst made using their own pork brats recipe.
      May substitute hot or mild Italian sausages or hot dogs as another great option for this recipe.
    • beer - We think the best beer is a light beer because of its mild flavor and price. No need to use an expensive IPA. Think college campus tailgates and boil them in the same kind of beer the college kids are drinking right out of the keg! Just make sure to use your favorite beer. The beer will impart extra flavor into the meat that will truly get your taste buds salivating.
      May substitute water, or non-alcoholic beer or cider.
    • hot dog buns - Regular old soft hot dog buns will do. Save the hard Kaiser rolls for Italian sausages.

    See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

    What Are Bratwurst?

    Bratwurst are a type of sausage originating from Germany. There are over 40 different types of bratwurst in Germany made of fresh sausage that is made from a variety of meats. In the United States, the term "brats" is almost synonymous with Johnsonville Brats which are made solely from pork with a natural brat casing.

    Different varieties of bratwurst common the Midwest are Cheddar Brats, Jalapeno Brats.

    Different regional varieties found in Germany include: classic German bratwurst, Kulmbacher bratwurst, Würzburg, bierwurst, Nürnberger rostbratwurst, Coburger bratwurst, Thüringer rostbratwurst, Fränkische bratwurst, Nordhessische bratwurst, and Rote wurst.

    Learn more about German regional varieties of bratwurst in this article by Greyson Ferguson on TastingTable.com: 10 Regional Varieties Of German Bratwurst, Explained.

    How to Make Grilled Beer Brats

    Make perfect bratwurst every time with this easy grilling recipe.

    Preheat Grill

    Brats boiling in beer with a red instant-read thermometer inserted into a brat reading 181°F.
    1. Boil Brats. First things first, place raw bratwurst in a large pot and pour in two cans of beer or enough beer to cover them. Bring them to a boil over medium-high heat in the beer bath.

      Note: For extra flavor, add some sliced onions to the beer bath.

      Once they begin to boil, lower temperature to medium-low heat and slow boil them for 10-15 minutes or until the internal temperature of the brats reaches 145°F.

      Note: Insert the meat thermometer in the end of the brat so as not to break the skin.
    5 beer boiled brats in a glass dish ready for the grill.
    1. Transfer them from the pot and to a plate so that you can take them out to the grill.
    5 brats with grill marks on the grill.
    1. Grill Brats. Place brats one by one onto the grill grate of a preheated grill.

      Grill them on a hot grill for 5 minutes on each side until they are slightly charred and have some nice grill marks on the skin. The charring gives the brat more delicious flavor.
    5 grilled beer brats lined up on a white plate.
    1. Once they have a nice sear, move them to the top rack of the grill away from the direct heat or remove them from the grill, put them on a plate, and cover them with foil to keep them warm until you're ready to eat.
    A grilled beer brat with yellow mustard in a bun being held up to the camera.
    1. Serve. Serve these delicious brats with a bun and your favorite toppings and sides.

    Pro Tips

    Don't Break The Skin. The key to juicy bratwurst is not to break the skin while grilling. It's a good idea to turn bratwurst carefully. Be careful not to break the skin on the brat or the delicious juices will run out. That first bite of brat that breaks the skin is the juiciest bite. You don't want to miss it!

    Note: For best results, check the internal temperature of the brat, insert the meat thermometer in the end of the brat so as not to break the skin.

    Would you like to save this?

    We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

    Recipe FAQS

    Should you boil brats in beer before grilling?

    Boiling brats in beer will ensure that they are cooked through before grilling so that they don't burn and dry out on the grill. This will make them more flavorful and juicy. The boiling time will vary, but the general rule of thumb is that they will be fully cooked with 10 minutes of boiling.

    How do you cook brats after boiling?

    Perfect brats are easy to make. The best way is to grill them by following the easy recipe instructions above. Bratwurst can also be baked in the oven, pan fried, heated in a slow cooker, instant pot, or air fryer. The best method is the one that works for you.

    How long to grill brats after boiling?

    Boiled brats are essentially already cooked by the boiling process. So all you need to do is to grill them until they are slightly charred and have grill marks. Grill them for 5 minutes on each side. The cooking time will vary depending on the temperature of the grill.

    Best Brat Toppings

    • mustard - yellow mustard or brown mustard
    • ketchup
    • sauerkraut - with sautéed sweet onions
    • grilled onions and peppers
    • pickled relish

    What To Serve With Brats

    • The best coleslaw for pulled pork in a white bowl with a spoon and a light blue towel to the side.
      Best Coleslaw For Pulled Pork
    • Crispy Oven Roasted Potatoes piled in a white bowl on a striped kitchen towel.
      Crispy Oven Roasted Potatoes
    • Copycat Panera Greek Salad in a big white bowl with fresh pita bread on the side.
      Copycat Panera Greek Salad Recipe
    • Fried Corn in a white bowl on cutting board with blue kitchen towel in upper right hand corner.
      Skillet Fried Corn

    There is hardly a case where there are any leftover brats to be had. But if you do have a couple leftover, store in an airtight container and pop them into the freezer. Thaw them out later and fry them up with some eggs, or make a fabulous creamy bratwurst pasta with them. So so delish.

    There you have it. Making this juicy & flavorful grilled beer brats recipe is easy as that! We hope you enjoy our super simple, super tasty easy grilling recipe. Try it and let us know how you like it. We'd love to hear from you!

    xo ~ Seanna

    Did you love this recipe? If you make this recipe and love it, stop back, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a comment. THANK YOU!! Follow Seanna's Kitchen and share this recipe with your friends on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, and subscribe to my Newsletter for ALL the latest recipes! We'd love to hear from you!

    More Grilling Recipes

    • Grilled whole beer can chicken on the grill.
      Grilled Beer Can Chicken
    • Juicy Grilled Ribeye with a pat of melting butter on top and garnished with herbs.
      Best Grilled Ribeye Recipe
    • Sliced grilled chicken on a cutting board.
      Citrus Chicken Marinade Recipe
    • A whole grilled marinated flank steak that has been sliced and fanned out on a cutting board with parsley garnish and a large carving knife and fork on the side.
      Best Grilled Marinated Flank Steak Recipe

    📖 Recipe

    5 grilled beer brats lined up on a white plate.

    How Long To Grill Brats After Boiling (Grilled Beer Brats Recipe)

    Grilled Beer Brats - Make perfectly grilled Wisconsin beer brats every time with this easy grilling recipe. We'll show you how long to grill brats after boiling them in beer to make them super juicy and flavorful.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Save Recipe!Saved!
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 5 Servings
    Calories: 347kcal
    Author: Seanna Borrows

    Equipment

    • instant read thermometer

    Ingredients 

    • 5 links bratwurst
    • 2 cans beer
    • 5 buns hot dog buns
    Get Recipe Ingredients
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    Preheat Grill

    • Boil Brats. Place raw brats in a large pot and pour in two cans of beer or enough beer to cover them. Bring them to a boil over medium-high heat in the beer bath. Once they begin to boil, lower temperature to medium-low heat and slow boil bratwurst for 10-15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
      Note: Insert the meat thermometer in the end of the brat so as not to break the skin.
      Transfer them from the pot and to a plate so that you can take them out to the grill.
      5 links bratwurst, 2 cans beer
    • Grill Brats. Place brats one by one onto the grill grates of a preheated grill. Grill them for 5 minutes on each side until they are slightly charred and have some nice grill marks on the skin. The charring gives the brat more delicious flavor.
      Once they have a nice char, move them to indirect heat on the top rack, or the cool side of the grill or remove them from the grill and cover them with foil to keep them warm until you're ready to eat.
    • Serve. Serve them on a bun with your favorite toppings and sides.
      5 buns hot dog buns

    Video

    YouTube video

    Notes

    Ingredient Notes

    • bratwurst - We use Johnsonville Brats. Super flavorful, made in the Midwest.
      May substitute hot or mild Italian sausages for this recipe, but they taste very different.
    • beer - We use light beer for its mild flavor and price. No need to use an expensive IPA. Think college campus tailgates and boil the brats in the same kind of beer the kids are drinking right out of the keg!
      May substitute water, or non-alcoholic beer or cider.
    • hot dog buns - Regular old soft hot dog buns will do. Save the hard Kaiser rolls for Italian sausages.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1brat | Calories: 347kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 63mg | Sodium: 729mg | Potassium: 336mg | Fiber: 0.04g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 5IU | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Mention @SeannasKitchen and tag #seannaskitchen!

    More Family Friendly Dinner Recipes

    • Leftover ham and bean soup served in a stoneware bowl with a silver spoon.
      Old Fashioned Ham and Bean Soup
    • Slices of Honey Baked Ham fanned out on a platter garnished with parsley sprigs.
      Best Copycat Honey Baked Ham Recipe
    • A bowl full of creamy parmesan risotto garnished with shavings of parmesan cheese.
      Creamy Parmesan Risotto
    • Sliced slow roasted beef tenderloin aserved on a platter.
      Slow Roasted Beef Tenderloin

    Comments

      5 from 2 votes

      Join the Discussion Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Gordon Wagner says

      May 26, 2024 at 5:08 pm

      5 stars
      Very good

      Reply
      • Seanna Borrows says

        May 26, 2024 at 8:04 pm

        Great to hear Gordon!

        Reply
    2. Russ B says

      July 13, 2023 at 7:02 pm

      5 stars
      Great summer grilling option!

      Reply
      • Seanna Borrows says

        July 13, 2023 at 7:03 pm

        Nothin better for game day cookouts and tailgates!

        Reply
    Photo of Seanna Borrows of Seanna's Kitchen.

    Hi, I'm Seanna!

    Welcome to my kitchen! I'm a Midwestern home cook and food blogger, sharing simple, tasty, family-friendly recipes.
    Good food…made with love…for the people you love…Now, that's a great recipe!

    About Seanna →
    Featured In graphic.

    Summer Favorites

    • Copycat Panera Greek Salad in a big white bowl with fresh pita bread on the side.
      Copycat Panera Greek Salad Recipe
    • Classic Chicken Salad Sandwich on a brioche bun and garnished with lettuce.
      Classic Chicken Salad
    • A whole pan of cinnamon rolls with icing.
      Old Fashioned Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (Soft & Gooey)
    • A casserole dish of baked easy pizza casserole.
      Easy Pizza Casserole Recipe
    • A bowl full of creamy parmesan risotto garnished with shavings of parmesan cheese.
      Creamy Parmesan Risotto
    • Sliced grilled chicken on a cutting board.
      Citrus Chicken Marinade Recipe

    Popular Favorites

    • Old Fashioned Banana Bread loaf with slice shown.
      Old Fashioned Banana Bread Recipe
    • Image of Ground Turkey Pasta with grated parmesan cheese on white plate with fork and spoon.
      Ground Turkey Pasta
    • Chunky tomato sauce over spaghetti on a white plate.
      Oma's Easy German Spaghetti Recipe
    • The best coleslaw for pulled pork in a white bowl with a spoon and a light blue towel to the side.
      Best Coleslaw For Pulled Pork
    • Juicy Grilled Ribeye with a pat of melting butter on top and garnished with herbs.
      Best Grilled Ribeye Recipe
    • A small, white dipping bowl full of zesty Cowboy Butter Sauce with a little spoon inside bowl and spices scattered around.
      Easy Cowboy Butter Sauce Recipe

    Footer

    Featured in graphic.

    About

    Privacy Policy

    Accessibility Statement

    Disclosure Policy

    Keep in touch

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Sign up! Sign up for our newsletter and never miss a recipe!

    Contact Us

    Contact

    About

    We promote products and brands we love through affiliate links, at no cost to you.
    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Seanna's Kitchen, All rights reserved. ~ SDG

    98 shares

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.