German-style brats with sauerkraut, an easy hearty dish, traditional comfort food as its best. Just two main ingredients, but so much going on!
The first thing to come to mind when thinking about German food? Probably brats and sauerkraut. Two typical German products, honest, unpretentious, tasty food perfect for a relaxed meal. We love bratwurst and sauerkraut when combined with other ingredients as well, but simply combine those two and there’s nothing more you need.
Learn How to Cook Sauerkraut, this simple recipe is perfect for serving with bratwurst as well. Or learn How to Cook Frozen Sausages, any of the sausages mentioned there can be served on a bed of hot kraut. And if you like pork and kraut, try this delicious Slow Cooker Pork and Sauerkraut.
What do you need for the recipe?
Sauerkraut:
- Either from a can, jar, bag, or fresh from a barrel at the butchers. For an authentic German taste, buy a can of German sauerkraut as only this will ensure an authentic taste. Look for brands, like Mildessa/ Hengstenberg. (Amazon affiliate link, but I am not being paid to recommend these products, they are just what I use and love to eat myself).
- You might find these products in larger supermarkets, maybe those with an Ethnic food section, or in German/European/Eastern European food stores.
- You could also make your homemade version, but that requires a bit more time and dedication than opening a can or a jar. And honestly, the bought stuff is simply delicious and good value.
Bratwurst:
- German pork sausages, hearty, spicy, comforting, and utterly delicious. They can be grilled, cooked in the oven, on the stove, air fried. And there are dozens of different ways of including them into recipes. Try this Bratwurst Soup, for instance, it contains some amazing meatballs made of bratwurst.
- Brats in Germany come in different shapes and sizes, are spiced differently depending on the region, but I have yet to find a sort I didn’t like, they are all amazing! You can get coarsely ground or finely ground ones.
- To make brats with sauerkraut, you can use any kind of brats you like. Or even other kinds of sausages, like smoked ones, Polish kielbasa, Italian or English sausages.
Cooking liquid:
- You can cook the kraut with chicken or beef stock, white wine, cider, apple juice, or beer, the choice is yours.
- Today I chose beer, but I’ve cooked this recipe with all the other suggested liquids at one point or another.
Apple:
- I don’t think I’ve ever cooked sauerkraut without apples. Many people do, but I would never dream of it, I think the apple adds just the right amount of sweetness and a special flavor and texture.
- The sort is not so important, the main thing about is that it should be a tangy sort. If it’s a soft sort it will kind of melt into the kraut, if it’s a crisper sort, you will still be able to see and feel the pieces. The choice is yours, I like both versions.
- If you happen to have an opened jar of apple sauce, you can use 2-3 tablespoons of that instead of fresh apples.
Other ingredients: onion, caraway seeds, bay leaves sugar, salt, and pepper. You can leave out the caraway seeds if you don’t like them, don’t have them, or don’t want to buy them especially for this dish, but I never leave them out, they are delicious in this combo.
- Potatoes, boiled or mashed.
- Or buns and mustard. And maybe ketchup if your kids prefer it.
Ways of combining bratwurst and kraut
Brown the sausages on the grill or on the stovetop. Place sauerkraut in a saucepan, add spices and some liquid and nestle the sausages into the cabbage. Simmer until the sausages are cooked through.
Stuff some buns, either hot dog buns or some really good crusty rolls (preferably German-style Brötchen) with kraut (warm or at room temperature). Add a hot sausage and mustard (generously). Some people prefer ketchup (many kids), but I am a mustard person.
German Sauerkraut – 10 German Sauerkraut Dishes – Sauerkraut Benefits – German Sauerkraut Spices
FAQ
Are you supposed to warm up sauerkraut?
How do they serve bratwurst in Germany?
How do you serve Bratwurst in sauerkraut?
There are two main ways that I would serve bratwurst in sauerkraut. First, in toasted buns with a delicious grainy mustard, and maybe some German Potato Salad on the side. Second, on a plate with the sauerkraut as a bed and a side of either mashed potatoes or potato salad. And while you’re at it, grab a cold German Beer to go with the meal! 🙂
What are the benefits of using Sauerkraut?
There are many health benefits to fermented foods and sauerkraut is one of those foods. The first key benefit is that it helps with digestion. It has also been shown to boost the immune system and improve heart health. It also is full of antioxidants which can help fight aging and can reduce inflammation.
What is bratwurst & sauerkraut?
Bratwurst and Sauerkraut is an easy, flavorful, and comforting combination of simple ingredients like German-style bratwurst, tangy sauerkraut, onion, and sweet apple – a daring combination of flavors with incredibly delicious results. Heat a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat.
What is a good substitute for Bratwurst?
Bratwurst Sausage | Your grocery store will carry brats, sometimes called beer brats. Any fresh sausage will do, and you can use a mixture of different sausage varieties as well, which is something we frequently do when making this recipe. Kielbasa is another great choice. Sauerkraut | Plain, canned (jarred) sauerkraut works just fine.