Tailgates
Beer and Butter Boiled Brats
This is a Wisconsin way: brats simmered in beer and butter until they're plump, juicy, and ready for a crowd.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Serves
- 8
- Level
- Easy
How we do it
Method
- 01
Pot, water, beer
Start by placing your brats in a pot, then cover them with water and add at least one can of beer.
- 02
Butter, then a gentle simmer
Toss in about a quarter stick (or more) of butter and bring everything to a gentle simmer. Let the brats bubble away until they reach 155°F inside. The beer and butter bath infuses them with rich flavor and keeps them perfectly tender.
- 03
Straight from the pot
Once they're cooked through, you can serve them straight from the pot: soft, juicy, and full of flavor.
- 04
Finish on the grill
If you like a little char, finish them off on the grill for just a few minutes per side. That caramelized snap on the outside is worth it, especially since HB Slakter's brats use natural casings.
Cook's note
A few easy add-ins to make this version your own: slice in a few onions to simmer along with the brats, add garlic cloves or a bay leaf for a subtle flavor boost, swap the beer style (lagers keep it light, darker beers add a malty depth), or serve with kraut, mustard, or whatever your family tradition calls for. Beer and butter brats are all about comfort, tradition, and keeping it simple.
The store door
Take some home.
Order the full lineup on Square. Brats, bacon, thick-cut chops, breakfast links and HB BBQ sauce. Or find us at the market this Saturday.
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