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Beer Brats With Braised Onions

by Tony Wuesthofen

Nothing says Wisconsin summer quite like bratwurst on the grill. Whether you're hosting a backyard cookout, heading to a tailgate, or gathering with friends and family, this simple beer brat recipe delivers big flavor with very little effort.

One of the secrets to a great brat is keeping it juicy while building flavor. By gently steaming raw bratwursts in beer and onions before grilling, you get the best of both worlds: tender, flavorful brats and beautifully caramelized onions that make the perfect topping.

As Tony Clasen puts it:

"I've tried just about every method for cooking bratwurst over the years, and this is still my favorite. It's incredibly simple, but the results are outstanding. Pre-cooking the brats in beer and onions helps keep them juicy, gives them beautiful color on the grill, and creates an amazing onion topping that's packed with flavor. Every time I make brats this way, I'm reminded just how good they can be. It's become my go-to method for backyard cookouts, tailgates, and summer gatherings."

Ingredients

  • 1 package Clasen's Brat Buns (6-count)
  • 6 raw bratwursts (not pre-cooked)
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 bottle of beer
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Caramelize the Onions

In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until caramelized. This step can be skipped if you're short on time, but the extra flavor is worth it.

Step 2: Steam the Brats

Pour the beer into the pot and bring it to a boil. While the beer heats, preheat your grill.

Add the raw bratwursts to the boiling beer mixture. Turn off the burner, cover the pot, and allow the brats to steam in the beer and onions for about 20 minutes.

Step 3: Grill to Perfection

Remove the brats from the pot and place them on the grill. Cook until nicely browned on all sides.

Step 4: Finish the Onion Topping

While the brats are grilling, return the beer and onion mixture to a simmer. Reduce the liquid until the flavors become concentrated.

Season the onions with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 5: Serve

Place the grilled bratwursts on fresh Clasen's Brat Buns and generously top with the beer-braised onions.

Serve immediately and enjoy.

A Wisconsin Cookout Classic

Great brats deserve great buns. Clasen's Brat Buns are baked fresh using quality ingredients and are sturdy enough to hold all the flavor without falling apart. Combined with juicy beer brats and savory onions, they create a classic Wisconsin meal that's perfect for summer.

Stop by Clasen's European Bakery in Middleton to pick up a fresh package of brat buns before your next cookout.

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