Oven-baked bratwurst and sauerkraut takes all the work out of making this German bratwurst dinner. The apples adds a touch of sweetness, and also tenderize the bratwurst, making them even more delicious.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This recipe is perfect for any time of year, but it's especially popular during Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest is a 16-day festival that takes place in Munich, Germany, in late September and early October.
It's a celebration of Bavarian culture and beer, and bratwurst and sauerkraut are one of the most popular foods served at the festival. So, join in on the fun with this simple to prepare, one pot meal.
- Easy to make. The whole dish can be prepped and cooked in under an hour.
- Versatile. You can use any type of bratwurst you like, and you can also add other vegetables, such as onions or carrots.
- Delicious. The apples add a touch of sweetness and tartness that perfectly complements the savory bratwurst and sauerkraut.
- Budget friendly. Bratwurst and sauerkraut are affordable ingredients that make a great one pot meal.
- Festive. Perfect for Oktoberfest! Just add some crusty bread and your favorite beer.
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Baked Bratwurst and Sauerkraut Ingredients
- How to Make Baked Bratwurst and Sauerkraut
- Serving Suggestions
- Related Recipes
- Substitutions and Variations
- Equipment
- Storage and Reheating
- Tips for Success
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
- 📖 Recipe
- Food Safety
Baked Bratwurst and Sauerkraut Ingredients
Bratwurst and sauerkraut is a classic German dish that is perfect for the fall and winter. The combination of the savory sausage, the tangy sauerkraut, and the sweet apples is a simply irresistible combination.
This oven-baked bratwurst dinner is easy to make and doesn't require any special equipment. With a few simple ingredients and an easy-to-follow recipe, you can experience a true German flavor adventure today!
- Olive oil
- Bratwursts - German Beer brats, or any type of brats you prefer.
- Onion - Sliced.
- Apples - Cored and sliced, skins on.
- Garlic - Sliced.
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Thyme - Fresh sprig. Or, you can also use a sprig of rosemary.
- Caraway seeds - Optional, but they add amazing, authentic Bavarian flavor. You can use Bavarian sauerkraut instead also.
- Sauerkraut - If you use Bavarian sauerkraut, you can omit the caraway seeds, as they are already in the sauerkraut.
- Potatoes - Any kind, but I find Yukon Golds don't need to be peeled as the skins are so papery thin.
- Beer - Or water. For flavor and steam build up when baking in the oven.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Baked Bratwurst and Sauerkraut
This beloved national dish of Germany packs big flavor in every bite and is sure to delight your family. In true Bavarian fashion, we'll walk through everything step-by-step so that you can easily put together baked bratwurst and sauerkraut dinner.
Keep reading if you're ready for an immersive culinary adventure into Munich's most iconic cuisine.
Brown The Brats
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Heat olive oil in a 4 to 6 quart Dutch oven over medium heat. Add bratwurst and cook until lightly browned on all sides.
- Remove bratwurst from skillet and set aside.
- Add sliced onion, apple slices, garlic, and seasonings to the Dutch oven and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
PRO TIP: If you're in a hurry, you can completely skip browning the brats.
Return Brats To The Pot
- Return bratwurst to skillet and nestle into the onion and apple mixture.
Add The Sauerkraut
- Empty the package of sauerkraut and caraway seeds over the brats, onions, and apples. Add the beer or water.
Tuck In Some Potatoes
- Cut the potatoes lengthwise in half and tuck in around the outer edges of the Dutch oven pot with a sprig of fresh thyme or rosemary. They don't have to be submerged.
- Bake covered in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until bratwurst is cooked through and the potatoes are fork tender. Serve with crusty bread to soak up some of the sauce.
PRO TIP: You can also cook this dish on the stove top. Use the same Dutch oven. Instead of baking in the hot over, cook the bratwurst on stove, with the pot covered, for 30 minutes on medium low until the potatoes are tender and brats cooked through.
Serving Suggestions
This hearty meal is the perfect way to warm up during the chilly winter months. Whether it's sharing with your family or enjoying a weekend meal celebrating with friends, this traditional Bavarian dish won't disappoint.
This Bavarian style German bratwurst dinner is best served hot with your favorite sides, such as:
- Bread Machine Honey Wheat Bread
- Bread Machine Cheddar Bacon Bread
- Condensed Milk Chocolate Brownies
- Crockpot Black Forest Dump Cake
- Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Carrots
- Chicken Mac and Cheese
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Related Recipes
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few delicious variations when making this recipe for baked bratwurst and sauerkraut with apples.
- You can add a ½ cup of your favorite beer to the Dutch oven before placing it in the oven to bake.
- Caraway seeds are authentic Bavarian flavor, but you can also choose a Cajun seasoning blend, or just use fresh herbs of choice.
- If you don't like apples with your sauerkraut, you can substitute cranberries, or simply add some carrots.
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making this stove top braised, or oven baked bratwurst and sauerkraut dinner.
Storage and Reheating
- This baked bratwurst and sauerkraut dinner can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It can also be frozen for up to 2 months.
- To reheat, thaw the dish overnight in the refrigerator and then bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips for making this delicious, easy German bratwurst dinner:
- To prevent the bratwurst from splitting, prick them with a fork a few times before cooking.
- Browning the bratwurst is optional, but it does add more flavor to the sauce.
- You can also add other vegetables to this dish, such as carrots or mushrooms.
- If you don't like sauerkraut, you can substitute shredded cabbage.
- Serve this German bratwurst dinner with your favorite mustard on the side to dip the sausage in.
Frequently Asked Questions
German bratwurst is made with pork, veal, or beef. It's also typically seasoned with caraway or fennel seeds.
You can cut up fresh green cabbage in large chunks. Bake the bratwursts on top of the onion, cabbage, and sliced apples. Then add the quartered potatoes.
Yes, you can cook this dish on the stove top. Heat a Dutch oven pot over medium heat and brown the bratwurst in a little olive oil. Add the onion, apple slices, caraway seeds, potatoes, and sauerkraut to the pot and cook on medium low for 30 minutes, or until the bratwurst and potatoes are tender.
Bratwurst should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F (71 degrees C). Allow 30 to 40 minutes to completely cook the bratwursts through in the large Dutch oven, as well cook the potatoes fork tender.
Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
📖 Recipe
Baked Bratwurst and Sauerkraut with Apples
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 package Bratwursts any kind, package of 5
- 1 Onion Sliced
- 2 Apples Cored and sliced, skins on
- 2 cloves Garlic Sliced
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black pepper
- 16 oz Sauerkraut Any kind
- ½ teaspoon Caraway seeds Optional
- ½ cup Beer Or water
- 4 medium Yukon Gold potatoes
- 1 sprig Thyme fresh
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Heat olive oil in a 4 to 6 quart Dutch oven over medium heat. Add bratwurst and cook until lightly browned on all sides.PRO TIP: If you're in a hurry, you can completely skip browning the brats.1 tablespoon Olive oil, 1 package Bratwursts
- Remove bratwurst from skillet and set aside.
- Add sliced onion, apple slices, garlic, and seasonings to the Dutch oven and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.1 Onion, 2 Apples, 2 cloves Garlic, 1 teaspoon Salt, ½ teaspoon Black pepper
- Return bratwurst to skillet and nestle into the onion and apple mixture.
- Empty the jar, can, or package of sauerkraut and caraway seeds over the brats, onions, and apples. Add the beer or water.16 oz Sauerkraut, ½ teaspoon Caraway seeds, ½ cup Beer
- Cut the potatoes lengthwise in half and tuck in around the outer edges of the Dutch oven pot with a sprig of fresh thyme or rosemary.They don't have to be submerged.4 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, 1 sprig Thyme
- Bake covered in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until bratwurst is cooked through and the potatoes are fork tender. Serve with crusty bread to soak up some of the sauce.
Notes
- To prevent the bratwurst from splitting, prick them with a fork a few times before cooking.
- Browning the bratwurst is optional, but it does add more flavor to the sauce.
- You can also add other vegetables to this dish, such as carrots or mushrooms.
- If you don't like sauerkraut, you can substitute shredded cabbage.
- Serve this German bratwurst dinner with your favorite mustard on the side to dip the sausage in.
Nutrition
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat.
- Wash hands after touching raw meat.
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds.
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove.
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