Winter Comfort
Braised Brats with Apples & Onions
The brat in January: braised with apples, onions and a little cider until the whole kitchen smells like Sunday.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Serves
- 4
- Level
- Easy

How we do it
Method
- 01
Brown the brats
In a heavy pot or Dutch oven, brown the brats in a little butter over medium-high heat, turning until they're colored on all sides. Take them out — they'll finish in the braise.
- 02
Soften the apples and onions
Lower the heat, add the butter, onions, apples and caraway, and cook for eight to ten minutes until everything slumps and starts to caramelize.
- 03
Deglaze
Pour in the cider and scrape the bottom of the pot. Let it reduce by about a third.
- 04
Braise
Nestle the brats back in, cover, and simmer gently for 15 minutes, turning once. The brats should read 160°F and the apples should be soft but not collapsed.
- 05
Finish and serve
Stir in the vinegar and mustard, taste for salt, and serve over mashed potatoes with plenty of the braising liquid.
Cook's note
This is also the best way we know to use up a couple of brats that didn't make the grill.
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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