How do you cook bratwurst on the grill? It’s not complicated, but apparently there are a lot of searches for this question. So we will try to answer all your bratwurst grilling questions in this post.
Before we get into the meat of how do you cook bratwurst on the grill? (see what I did there?). You should know that we are always referring to Johnsonville Brats in this post. They are one of the best brats available and can be found practically anywhere. Most other brands of bratwurst are similar size and shape so the answers here should apply in most cases.
Should you rinse bratwurst before grilling?
No. The heat from the grill will burn off anything that is on the outside. If it makes you feel better go ahead and do it you aren’t hurting anything.
Should you poke holes in the brat’s before grilling?
No. You will loose a good part of the juices if you do that. You should always use tongs or a spatula to turn them as well.
Do I need to boil the brats before grilling?
No. The grill does a great job of cooking them all the way through as long as your temperature is not to high. It only takes about 15 minutes total to grill them as well.
What temperature should I grill my bratwurst at?
We suggest grilling brats over direct medium to medium-high heat, this applies to gas as well as charcoal grills.
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How long should I grill my brats?
Around 12 to 15 minutes total over medium to medium high heat, they should be turned every 3 to 4 minutes during that time. Ideally the skin should brown a little without burning the outside.
When are bratwurst done on the grill?
Brats need to be fully cooked to an internal temp. of 165 degrees. Wait until you see the bubbles of juice forming under the skin, then turn them once more and wait until you see those bubbles start again. Remove them from the grill before they burst open.
How would I make beer brats on the grill?
While you are grilling your brats have a pan with your beer in it warming off to the side. When your bratwurst are fully cooked, poke holes in each sausage with a fork and place them into the beer. Let them cook in the beer for 3 to 4 minutes and serve. The pan of beer is also a great way to keep them warm if your not eating them all at once. Let me suggest adding sauerkraut to that beer as well.
I think I have covered most all of the FAQ’s with our How do you cook bratwurst on the grill? post. If not feel free to post additional questions in the comment section. This is a follow up post to read our original post click here.
Mike
aka Sultan of Sizzle
I have been blogging about and selling grilling tool for over 12 years. A Certified Food Safety Professional, KCBS member, award winning writer and have over 10 years experience in the food service industry.
“I have experienced some of the best food this country has to offer and nothing is better than the food that comes off my own grill!”
