For a quick and easy 30-minute dinner, cooking bratwurst in the oven requires only a few easy steps. Serve this famous German sausage with sauerkraut and mustard or sauteed bell peppers and onions. It doesn't get any easier than placing brats on a baking sheet and into the oven!
Welcome to My Kitchen Serenity! As you probably already know, my website is all about easy recipes, but this recipe may be the EASIEST one yet! Here I will show you how to bake bratwurst in the oven in a matter of minutes. Sounds pretty good, right!
Sausage is one of those foods that's been around forever. According to some historians, sausage has been around for over 3,500 years and began with the Babylonians. Bratwurst is believed to have been originated in Germany several hundred years ago; some would argue it's been around for much longer than that! For more Bratwurst facts, visit the Grapes and Grains website.
Are you a fan of coleslaw? Check out my broccoli coleslaw recipe. It's light and crunchy and goes great with these brats!
Do you need a good appetizer to serve with these brats? Give my Jalapeno Cheese Ball a try! It's a quick and easy winner!
What Makes This Recipe Work
First, no need to open your spice cabinet as these sausages are already fully seasoned! Second, cooking brats in the oven is a great alternative for grilling them. So when it's rainy or cold outside, or you just don't have a grill, roasting brats in the oven is the next best thing. All you need is a rimmed sheet pan! TIP: line the sheet pan with parchment paper or foil for easy clean-up!
Ingredients Needed
You guessed it -- brats! Bratwurst usually comes 5 to a pack and is located in the refrigerated section of the grocery store hanging out with the other link sausages and hot dogs. Choose original or venture out and try one of several unique flavors. We usually eat the original brats since they're plenty flavorful.
Directions for Oven Cooked Brats
Since brats are raw and not smoked, they need to be cooked to 160F.
(1) Simply preheat your oven to 400F. Place a piece of parchment paper on a rimmed sheet pan (rimmed to keep any juices from spilling over into your oven.) Place the sausages on top of the parchment paper in a single layer, with the sides not touching. TIP: If you don't have parchment paper, spray the sheet pan with non-stick spray so the sausages won't stick.
(2) Bake for 15 minutes and then flip the sausage over and bake for another 10-15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160F on a food thermometer. Turning them over halfway through cooking will ensure even cooking and a nice roasted appearance. Ovens vary so please check on your brats 5 minutes before the timer dings!
How to Cook Frozen Brats in the Oven
Cooking frozen brats is easy - no need to thaw! Add an additional 15-20 cook time to the directions above. Flip an additional once or twice for that nice browned appearance.
You can view my Google Web Story for this recipe at How to Cook Brats in the Oven.
Alternative Cooking Methods
Cooking brats in the oven is probably the easiest method out there. However, for a change of pace, try grilling them or pan-frying them (a cast iron skillet works well).
What to Serve with Brats
Traditionally, bratwurst is served with the following (or just serve with what you like; no rules here):
- sauerkraut
- german potato salad
- sliced and sauteed bell pepper and onions
- buns or rolls
- stone ground mustard
- beer (traditionally, German pilsner), ales, and lagers pair really well
If you're from the south, you'll serve mac cheese with just about anything! While it may not be a traditional Bratwurst side, y'all know we eat what's good, when we want to! Serve my Homemade Macaroni and Cheese recipe with these sausages. With only 4 simple ingredients, it's the easiest!
Marinating Brats in Beer
You can find pre-flavored beer brats in your grocery store, but marinating them yourself provides a much richer beer flavor. After marinating the brats in your choice of beer overnight (or at least 6-12 hours), simply bake as directed.
Looking for a Keto Bratwurst Recipe?
Keto brats and peppers are a perfect keto meal. Brats with sauerkraut is another great low carb, keto meal. Skip the bun for an easy and delicious sausage dinner!
Tips and Substitutions
- Place the brats at least ½ inch apart on the baking sheet. Basically, you don't want them to touch because they won't cook evenly.
- Check for doneness by using a digital cooking thermometer. Brats are done when they reach 160F.
- If you don't have parchment paper to line the sheet pan with, use foil.
- If you can't find original brats, pick any of the available flavors.
Frequently Asked Questions
German bratwurst is typically made from pork or veal and seasoned with spices such as nutmeg, ginger, coriander, or caraway.
Brats are best served on a bun that can hold up with the sausage and all the toppings. Toppings such as sauerkraut are packaged in liquid so they can cause a bun to get soggy. So a hearty bun, such as Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Sausage Buns, really fits the bill!
Honestly, whatever kind or brand you like is what's best for you. However, if you're going for true German sauerkraut, give Hengstenberg Bavarian Style Sauerkraut with Wine a try. Available at most grocery stores.
Sausage Alfredo Pasta Recipe
For a fun and delicious change of pace, try my Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Pasta recipe using 1 package of baked and sliced brats as a substitute for the chicken. DEELICIOUS!!
Freezing Leftovers
If desired, you can freeze cooked bratwurst. They'll stay fresh for about 3 months when sealed in an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave.
Refrigerate Leftovers
Store any leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I prefer to use BPA-free glass containers with locking lids. Check out this 18-piece set of glass food storage containers with locking lids from Bayco, available now on Amazon.
If you have leftovers, serve them with potatoes. They go great with my easy slice and bake potato recipe!
More Delicious Easy Entrees
If you tried this recipe, leave me a comment and let me know how it turned out!
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How to Cook Brats in the Oven
Equipment
- Sheet pan - rimmed
Ingredients
- 19 ounces uncooked bratwurst sausage (any flavor) 5-link package I used Johnsonville for this recipe
Instructions
- Since brats are raw and not smoked, they need to be cooked to 160F. Simply preheat your oven to 400F.
- Place a piece of parchment paper on a rimmed sheet pan (rimmed to keep any juices from spilling over into your oven.) Place the sausages on top of the parchment paper in a single layer, with the sides not touching. TIP: If you don't have parchment paper, spray the sheet pan with non-stick spray so the sausages won't stick.
- Bake for 15 minutes (check on them after 10 minutes to make sure they're not getting burned) and then flip the sausage over and bake for another 10-15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160F on a food thermometer. Turning them over halfway through cooking will ensure even cooking and a nice roasted appearance. Note that ovens can vary; some cook hotter than others and some don't get as hot.
Notes
- sauerkraut
- German potato salad
- buns or rolls
- stone ground mustard
- beer (traditionally, German pilsner) ales and lagers pair really well
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy to my readers. I'm not a nutritionist and I don't guarantee the accuracy of this data. The data may differ according to the brands I used versus the brands you use. To calculate the data yourself using your brands, try using an online nutrition calculator or app.
Nicole
I have used this method a few times to cook brats and they are never up to temperature after the 30-35 minutes. No matter how I cook brats, they usually cook around 45 minutes. Maybe my oven/thermometer is off
Anne Clark
Hey Nicole. Thanks for commenting. It’s possible your oven cooks slightly lower; it’s not uncommon for this to happen.
Vanessa
I had the opposite issue. 30 minutes in 400 left me with burnt brats.
Lavinia
A thunderstorm prevented grilling last night. I found your recipe and I tell you that the brats cooked perfectly! Just like on the grill, if not better. I used my cast iron skillet in the oven. Thank you for saving the day!
Anne Clark
Hey Lavinia! I’m so happy you liked them, and I love the idea of cooking them in a cast iron skillet. It’s been raining a lot here so we haven’t been able to grill out either. Take care and thanks for letting me know!
MB
It was -12 here last night and it was a real treat to have a "summer" meal on the table. I cooked the recipe exactly as stated and it turned out great. I also roasted a sheet pan of peppers and onions at the same time. It was delicious and a fast and easy meal! This is being added to our family favorites.
Anne Clark
Thank you so much for letting me know! I love the addition of roasted peppers and onions - they pair so well with brats. Stay warm! I'm hoping summer gets here sooner than later 🙂