How to Make Brats Tender
Bratwurst is traditionally a German pork sausage, though beef varieties are available. They're often served on a sausage bun with mustard and sauerkraut. The sausage is juicy and flavorful inside with a tight casing that holds in the meat and juices. Improper cooking causes the juices to drain from the sausage, making it dry and less flavorful than properly cooked bratwurst. Cooking the bratwurst properly prevents the casing from rupturing and ensures your sausage is tender and juicy. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Heat a gas grill at medium heat or build a strong, hot fire in a charcoal grill. Alternatively, heat a grill pan indoors on the stove over medium-high heat.
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Set a skillet on the grill or on a second stove burner set to medium heat. Pour a bottle or can of beer in the skillet or fill the skillet with 1 cup of water.
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Place the bratwurst in a single layer on the grill or grill pan. Turn them with a pair of tongs every five minutes until they are evenly brown on all sides.
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Place the browned bratwurst in the skillet of beer or water. Cover the skillet with a lid or foil and bring the liquid to a slow simmer. Do not boil the water or beer.
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Remove the lid from the skillet and cook the bratwurst for an additional 15 minutes, or until about half the beer has evaporated. Serve warm.
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Tips & Warnings
Saute onions in butter and add them to the cooking liquid to provide more flavor to the bratwurst.
Do not boil the bratwurst. Boiling breaks the skins and makes the bratwurst tough.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images
