To parboil brats, place them in a pot of cold water and bring it to a boil. Once the water is boiling, remove the brats and grill or fry them to finish cooking.
For those who are interested in more details
Parboiling brats is a great way to ensure that they are cooked through before grilling or frying them. It involves partially cooking the brats in boiling water before finishing them on the grill or fryer. Here is how to parboil brats in detail:
Start by placing the brats in a large pot with enough cold water to cover them.
Turn the heat to high and bring the water to a boil.
Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to medium and let the brats cook for 5-8 minutes.
Remove the brats from the pot using tongs and transfer them to a preheated grill or pan.
Finish cooking the brats on the grill or pan until they are browned and crispy on the outside.
“Bratwurst is the king of sausages in my opinion. When I go back to Germany, it’s the first thing I eat!” – Boris Becker
Interesting facts:
Brats are a type of sausage that originated in Germany and are made from pork, beef, or a combination of both.
The word “bratwurst” comes from the German words “brat” (meaning “meat without waste”) and “wurst” (meaning “sausage”).
In Wisconsin, brats are a staple food and are often served with sauerkraut, mustard, and a cold beer.
According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, Americans consume approximately 900 million pounds of sausage annually.
Here’s a basic table to compare two cooking methods for brats:
Cooking Method
Pros
Cons
Parboiling
Cooks brats thoroughly, helps prevent undercooking when grilling or frying
Brats can lose flavor and juiciness in boiling water
Grilling or Frying
Brats have a crispy, charred exterior and retain their juices and flavor
Can be difficult to cook brats evenly, may result in undercooking or burning
In the “Brat Debate – Pre or Post-Boil?” video, a Johnsonville representative suggests putting brats in a “hot tub” made up of beer, onions, and butter on low heat on the grill. However, another person suggests boiling the brats before grilling them. Ultimately, the Johnsonville representative states that there is no wrong way to cook brats, and it comes down to personal preference.
More interesting questions on the topic
How long does it take to parboil bratwurst?
Bring the water and brats to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer. Let simmer for 10 minutes. You can boil and simmer the liquid and brats either inside on a stovetop or outside over a grill. This parboil step helps cook the brats evenly throughout so you don’t have any raw spots in the middle!
What is the best liquid to parboil brats in?
To cook the best possible brats, we highly recommend cooking them in beer, broth, or sauerkraut, but water works in a pinch if preferred. But trust me, brats cooked in beer helps to bring out the natural flavor of the sausage and will not overpower the taste at all. Even our kids love beer brats!
Should brats be par boiled?
Before grilling the brats, parboil them on the stove or in a cast-iron skillet on the grill. This will help to precook the inside of the brats and make sure that they don’t burst open on the grill, releasing all of the flavorful juices.
Should I par boil brats before grilling?
Never boil brats in beer or any other liquid before or after going on the grill. Boiling brats actually leaches flavor from the meat. Steaming them with simmering beer and onion slices in an aluminum pan is okay to keep brats warm and juicy.
How do you parboil brats?
The response is: How should you parboil brats? Put a large pot on medium-low heat. 2. Fill it with ¾ water or beer, as you prefer. One can of beer is enough to soak 5 to 6 brats. 3. Bring to a brisk boil and put the brats in. Make sure the liquid completely covers the sausages. 4. Add butter, onions, garlic, and pepper flakes for an extra spice kick.
Can you cook Brats on the grill?
As an answer to this: Don’t parboil them for any longer than this – the final stages of cooking will take place on the grill or in the frying pan. Place your brats in either a shallow saucepan or a large, deep skillet. Pour in water or beer until the brats are just covered.
Can you cook Brats in a cast iron skillet?
As an answer to this: Cooking brats in a cast-iron skillet is a good way to do this. Here’s how: Place the brats on your skillet and add enough water or another liquid to cover the brats. Boil the brats for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until the sausage is grey throughout, per the NHDSC. Transfer the brats to the grill to nicely brown and crisp them.
How do you cook Brats in a crock pot?
Answer: Place the brats in a skillet and add a cold liquid 3/4 of the way up the brats. You can use water, broth or for extra flavor, beer. Slowly simmer the brats until they reach an internal temp of 150°F on an instant-read thermometer.
How do you parboil brats?
How should you parboil brats? Put a large pot on medium-low heat. 2. Fill it with ¾ water or beer, as you prefer. One can of beer is enough to soak 5 to 6 brats. 3. Bring to a brisk boil and put the brats in. Make sure the liquid completely covers the sausages. 4. Add butter, onions, garlic, and pepper flakes for an extra spice kick.
Should you boil bratwurst before cooking?
Response: Boiling brats first prevents that. Simmering brats plain or boiling brats in beer just need a few essential ingredients, brats themselves are already pre-seasoned so you don’t need to add additional flavor unless you plan to cook the bratwurst in beer or sauerkraut.
How long does it take to cook brats?
The reply will be: Given their small size, brats only take around 6 to 8 minutes to turn fully gray, which is how you to tell they’ve reached the stage you need. Don’t parboil them for any longer than this – the final stages of cooking will take place on the grill or in the frying pan. Place your brats in either a shallow saucepan or a large, deep skillet.
Can you cook Brats in a cast iron skillet?
Cooking brats in a cast-iron skillet is a good way to do this. Here’s how: Place the brats on your skillet and add enough water or another liquid to cover the brats. Boil the brats for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until the sausage is grey throughout, per the NHDSC. Transfer the brats to the grill to nicely brown and crisp them.
