To cook brats on the stove, follow these expert steps for juicy, flavorful results:
- Prepare the pan and brats
- Heat a large cast-iron or heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat with a bit of vegetable or canola oil.
- Optionally, poke a few holes in the brats with a fork to prevent bursting during cooking
- Sear the brats
- Place the brats in the hot pan and brown them for about 3-4 minutes per side until nicely caramelized
- Add aromatics and liquid
- Add sliced onions around the brats if desired.
- Pour in about 1/2 to 1 cup of beer, chicken broth, water, or a combination to cover part of the brats
- Simmer covered
- Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the pan with a lid, and let the brats simmer for about 10-12 minutes. Flip halfway through to ensure even cooking. The internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C)
- Reduce liquid and finish
- Remove the lid and brats from the pan. Increase heat and reduce the remaining liquid with the onions to create a flavorful sauce. Return the brats to the pan and coat them in the sauce before serving
- Serve
- Serve the brats hot with the onion sauce, on buns with mustard, or your favorite toppings
This method combines searing for flavor and simmering in liquid for thorough cooking, yielding juicy, browned brats with a tasty onion-beer sauce. Total cooking time is about 15-20 minutes
. Summary:
Step| Action| Time/Temp
---|---|---
Heat pan & oil| Medium-high heat| -
Sear brats| Brown on all sides| 3-4 minutes per side
Add onions & liquid| Beer, broth, or water| 1/2 to 1 cup
Simmer covered| Medium-low heat, flip halfway| 10-12 minutes, 160°F internal
Reduce sauce| Uncovered, reduce liquid| 2-3 minutes
Serve| With onions and sauce| Immediately
This approach ensures perfectly cooked brats on the stove with a delicious finishing sauce
