Bratwurst mit Sauerkraut
This dish combines juicy, browned bratwurst with tender sauerkraut gently braised with onion, apple, caraway, and beer. The result is savory, lightly sweet, and pleasantly tangy, with wholegrain mustard adding a sharp finish at the table.
Ingredients
Für die Bratwurst
- 300 g (2 sausages)fresh pork bratwurst
- 10 mlneutral oil
Für das Sauerkraut
- 300 gsauerkraut, drained lightly
- 100 gonion, thinly sliced
- 120 gapple, peeled and thinly sliced
- 3 gcaraway seeds
- 150 mllager beer
- 15 gunsalted butter
- 1 gblack pepper
Zum Servieren
- 30 gwholegrain mustard
Instructions
- 1
Prepare everything first: thinly slice the onion, peel and thinly slice the apple, lightly drain the sauerkraut, and pat the bratwurst dry. This helps the sausages brown properly instead of steaming.
- 2
Heat a wide sauté pan over medium heat. Add the butter, then cook the onion for 2-3 minutes until softened but not deeply browned. Stir in the apple and caraway seeds for 1 minute to release their aroma.
- 3
Add the sauerkraut, beer, and black pepper. Stir well, bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover loosely and cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the liquid is mostly absorbed and the sauerkraut is tender and balanced by the sweetness of the apple.
- 4
While the sauerkraut cooks, heat a grill pan or frying pan over medium to medium-high heat and add the oil. Cook the bratwurst for 10-12 minutes, turning every 2-3 minutes, until evenly browned and cooked through. The sausages should feel firm, and the centre should reach at least 70°C.
- 5
Let the bratwurst rest for 2 minutes off the heat so the juices settle. Taste the sauerkraut and adjust with a little extra pepper if needed.
- 6
Pile the warm sauerkraut onto plates, place the bratwurst on top or alongside, and serve with wholegrain mustard.
Nutrition per serving
Notes
- •If your sauerkraut is very sharp, rinse it briefly and squeeze it out before cooking.
- •A dry cider can replace the beer for a slightly fruitier result.
- •Serve with boiled potatoes, potato purée, or crusty bread if you want a heartier meal.
- •Avoid piercing the bratwurst during cooking; keeping the casing intact helps retain juices.
Background
Bratwurst with sauerkraut is a classic pairing from German home cooking and tavern cuisine, especially associated with central and southern regions where pork sausages are a staple. Sauerkraut has long been valued in German-speaking Europe both for its flavor and for its keeping qualities through colder months.
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