Oven Braised Beer Brats with Caramelized Onions Recipe
Oven Braised Beer Brats with Caramelized Onions is a hearty and flavorful dish featuring juicy bratwurst sausages slowly cooked in beer and beef broth alongside deeply caramelized onions and garlic. The brats become tender and infused with smoky, savory flavors, complemented by the richness of butter and the tang of Dijon mustard. Perfect for a comforting meal, this recipe serves six and is simple to prepare using an oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Sausages and Broth
- 6 bratwurst sausages
- 12 oz beer (pilsner or lager)
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Fats and Garnish
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- Fresh parsley, optional for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare it for braising the brats.
- Heat the fats: In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons unsalted butter over medium heat until melted and hot.
- Caramelize the onions: Add the thinly sliced onions to the skillet and cook for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and golden brown.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes to release its flavor into the caramelized onions.
- Arrange the bratwursts: Nestle the bratwurst sausages among the caramelized onions in the skillet, ensuring they are partially submerged.
- Add liquids and seasoning: Pour in 12 ounces of beer and 1 cup of beef broth. Stir in 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, then season the mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Simmer briefly: Bring the mixture to a light simmer on the stovetop, ensuring everything is well combined.
- Braise in the oven: Transfer the skillet or Dutch oven to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 30–40 minutes until the bratwursts are fully cooked and infused with the rich flavors of the beer and broth.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve the bratwursts warm with the caramelized onions spooned generously over the top. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- You can choose pilsner or lager beer, whichever you prefer, but avoid overly hoppy beers that may impart bitterness.
- Using a heavy-bottomed oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven helps with even caramelization and cooking.
- To ensure the brats are fully cooked, check that their internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) using a meat thermometer.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- This dish pairs well with crusty bread, mustard, or sauerkraut on the side.
Keywords: bratwurst, beer brats, caramelized onions, oven braised bratwurst, beer sausages, comfort food, German inspired, sausage recipe