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brats with sauerkraut and mustard relish

Grilled Brats with Mustard Relish

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  • Author: Deb Belsha
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 5 servings 1x
  • Category: Condiment
  • Method: Grill, Stir
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These Grilled Brats with Mustard Relish are perfect for a cookout or just a weeknight dinner. If you want a change from hot dogs and burgers, you will love these juicy, lightly charred bratwurst sausages. Enjoy with homemade mustard relish that is so much tastier than store bought!


Ingredients

Units Scale

Mustard Relish

  • 1/2 cup unsweetened pickle relish*
  • 2 tablespoons whole grain mustard *
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
  • 2 tablespoons chopped onion (yellow, white or red)
  • 2 teaspoons sugar (or sugar substitute)*
  • 1/4 teaspoon celery seeds
  • 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • salt and pepper to taste

Bratwurst

  • 5 links bratwurst
  • 1/2 cup liquid from can of sauerkraut (save sauerkraut to serve with brats)*
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon celery seed
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar (or brown sugar substitute)*

Instructions

Mustard Relish

  1. Combine relish, onions, sugar, mustard, horseradish and spices.  Taste test for sweet and spicy.  Add what you need for your preference.  Keep in refrigerator until needed.

Grilled Brats

  1. Combine all ingredients except the brats in a large fry pan and bring to a boil.  Add the brats, do not pierce, and let them simmer in the liquid for about 5 - 6 minutes.  No need to cover the pan.
  2. If you aren't quite ready to grill them,  turn off the heat and leave the brats in the liquid for up to 30 minutes.  Any longer than that, drain the brats and store in refrigerator until grill time.
  3. Using an indoor or outdoor grill, cook the brats on medium flame, turning once, until they register 160°F on a meat thermometer.   
  4. Serve brats with mustard relish.                            

Notes

*If you don't have relish, you can use finely chopped dill pickles instead. 

*Use water or broth instead of the sauerkraut liquid if you prefer.

*Any sugar is fine if you don't have brown; you just want a bit of sweetness to compliment the apple cider vinegar.  I use Swerve brown sugar for a sugar free option.

*Don't skip the simmer step for the bratwurst.  It will help them cook evenly and keep their juices inside the brat and not seep out.

*The mustard relish will keep in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks.  Store in airtight container and give it a good stir before serving.  You could freeze it as well for up to 2 months.  Defrost overnight in the refrigerator.  I have found relishes to be a bit mushier and more bland after freezing though.