Baked bratwurst sausage is quick, easy and filling. It's the perfect meal for a busy night because it's mostly hands-off. The sausage is crisp and juicy and pairs perfectly with onions, peppers and kraut. Keep reading to learn how to cook brats in the oven. Follow these simple steps and you won't believe how easy it is!
As soon as the weather starts to warm I am all about grilling–chicken, burgers, steaks, hot dogs, and of course, brats. Sadly, the weather doesn't always cooperate, but cooking bratwurst in the oven is an simple solution for cold and rainy days. It's even the perfect recipe in the dead of winter when you are dreaming of backyard picnics and BBQs. This oven method is the best way to get delicious juicy sausages.
Baked bratwurst in the oven is the perfect alternative for grilling. All you need is a baking sheet or a baking dish and dinner is ready in less than 30 minutes. You can easily double or triple the recipe, so it's perfect for feeding a family of hungry eaters. Whenever you have to feed a crowd, it's good to know how to cook oven baked brats.
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Ingredients
- Bratwurst – All you need is bratwurst! Bratwurst is a popular German sausage made with a natural casing. Bratwurst is available in a classic flavor but can also have cheese, jalapeno or beer added to enhance the flavor. I love getting fresh brats in specialty butchers but my local grocery store is great for convenience as they always carry Johnsonville brats in different flavors.
How to Cook Brats in the Oven
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Make sure the oven rack is in the center of the oven.
- Line a baking pan with parchment paper. Add bratwurst sausage to the pan in a single layer spreading out on the pan.
- Bake in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Turn sausages and cook for another 5 minutes or until the center is no longer pink, all juices run clear and the sausages are golden brown. Internal temperature of the brats should reach 160 degrees when using an instant read meat thermometer.
- Remove from oven and slice teh juicy brats before serving if desired.
See recipe card for exact amounts and instructions.
How to Make Beer Brats
- Brown the brats in a deep skillet for a few minutes on each side.
- Add 1 bottle of your favorite beer (or enough to submerge the sausages) and bring to a simmer on medium-high heat.
- Lower the heat and simmer the bratwurst in beer for 10 minutes before transferring it to a baking sheet.
- Place into the preheated oven and bake brats for about 10 minutes or until the sausages reach 160 degrees F when checked with a digital meat thermometer.
Storage/ Leftovers and Reheating
Leftover oven-cooked brats should be cooled completely then stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Bratwurst can be frozen for up to 3 months but may lose some of its moisture when reheated.
Reheat bratwurst in a skillet with a small amount of water, bake in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes, or microwave covered with a damp paper towel in 30-second increments until warmed through.
If you own an air fryer, another great option is to reheat them in there for about 5 minutes (give or take) on 375 degrees.
Tips for Cooking Brats
- Preheat the oven to help the brats brown evenly.
- Choose a baking dish that will give the brats plenty of room but will also hold any juices that come out as they cook. If you use a casserole dish make sure it is oven proof to 425 degrees.
- Line baking pan with parchment paper for easy clean up.
- Make sure the bratwurst are in a single layer.
- Cut brat sausages in half for even quicker cooking.
- Add veggies to the pan if desired but add 10 minutes of cooking time.
- Add a little liquid (like beer, water or broth) to the bottom of the dish to prevent the sausages from shriveling.
- Season with your favorite herbs and spices to add more flavor.
- Cover the pan with aluminum foil to hold in the moisture.
- Turn oven on broil for last minute if you'd like the outsides a little charred. Serve on rolls with condiments, sauerkraut or onions and bell peppers for a full meal.
FAQ
It will take between 20-25 minutes to bake bratwurst in the oven. Always check for doneness with a meat thermometer.
Covering the pan or dish with foil is recommended to help retain moisture and can help the sausages to cook faster. For a crispy brown exterior, remove the foil during the last 10 minutes of cooking. You can also pop them under the broiler.
You can cook peppers and onions along with the brats. Cut the vegetables to a uniform size and add about 10 minutes to the cooking time. I also love making sauteed peppers and onions to top the brats with after cooking.
What to serve with Bratwursts
Slice bratwurst and eat with a fork dipping into ketchup, mustard or your favorite dip. Beer cheese is also a yummy addition. You can serve the sausage on a soft roll or pretzel roll and pile it with slaw, kraut, onions and peppers. I often serve these flavorful sausages with French fries, pasta salad or a variety of sides.
Round out your delicious meal by serving you baked bratwurst with:
- Oven Roasted Baby Potatoes
- Roasted Peppers
- German Potato Salad from Grumpy's Honey Bunch
- Mexican Cabbage Slaw
- Mexican Street Corn
If you like this baked bratwurst recipe, please leave a 5-star rating.
RECIPE
Easy Oven Baked Bratwurst Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 ounces bratwurst sausage (about 4 links)
- optional: rolls, condiments, onions and peppers, sauerkraut for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Make sure oven rack is in the center of the oven.
- Line a baking pan with parchment paper. Add bratwurst sausage to pan in a single layer spreading out on the pan.
- Bake in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Turn sausages and cook for another 5 minutes or until center is no longer pink and all juices run clear. Internal temperature should reach 160 degrees when using an instant read meat thermometer.
- Remove from oven and slice before serving if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
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Marta
This recipe took me back to our days living in Ramstein, Germany! I loved how easy your instructions made it to complete this recipe with success. Thanks for an amazing culinary trip down memory lane.
veenaazmanov
Looks yummy and perfect for any meal. Thanks for all the tips on perfect cooking.
Sean
This is a simple and easy way to make a brat and I love them. A prefect meal when I am on the go.
Veronika
Wow! We always cook these sausages on the grill but they turned out just as delicious from the oven! This is gonna be such a staple for us when we can't be outside grilling!
Sangeetha S
I tried making this baked bratwurst sausage recipe and it was a game-changer! The sausages turned out perfectly crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside. The combination of onions, peppers, and kraut added a burst of flavor that complemented the brats beautifully. Plus, the best part was how easy it was to prepare. It's definitely going to be my go-to recipe for busy nights.
Kristina
I made these but added red and green bell peppers and onions to the sheet pan. It made a great dinner, served on rolls.
Isabelle
I made these when my kids were very hungry and didn't want to wait long, so I cut them in half like you suggested and they cooked in less than 10 minutes. Great idea!
Claire
You make baked bratwurst look so easy! I'll definitely be saving this for when the cooler weather sets in and we need something warm and hearty. Can't wait to give it a try!
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer
Such a great recipe that honestly is so easy! I served these with beer cheese, peppers and onions on a Kaiser roll. Absolutely delicious!
Loreto and Nicoletta
We love doing Brats in the oven! They get nice and caramelized and cook in those juices.. They also stay moist and tender! So yummy 😋. Thanks, for reminding us of another way to cook these lovely Brats!