Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue, throwing a game-day party, or are simply looking for new seasonal dinners, these bratwurst recipe ideas are fantastic for any summer meal. With creative toppings like sweet and spicy beer mustard and broccoli slaw, these brat meals go far beyond your typical ballpark-style dog. Put your grill to good use for delicious charred flavor, keep it simple with your oven, or toss your brats in an air-fryer for unparalleled crispy texture—the choice is yours.
Sweet Summer Brats
Embrace the seasonal produce of summer with this light and fresh bratwurst recipe. Tomatoes and shredded lettuce add crunch, jalapeño lends a spicy, textural bite, and avocado cools down the heat. A grilled corn relish with red onion and basil brings even more freshness and robust flavor to this sweet summer bratwurst recipe.
Chicken Bratwurst with Onions and Broccoli Slaw
Opt for chicken bratwursts for a healthier brat. Slow-cooked in apple cider, garlic, and onion, this chicken bratwurst recipe melds tangy and savory flavors. Crunchy broccoli slaw adds a satisfying textural element and much-needed freshness to cut through the heavier flavors.
Air-Fried Bratwurst Bites with Spicy Beer Mustard
These bratwurst bites are great for a cookout or an appetizer party. The bite-size portion makes them less messy than brats in a bun, and air-frying the sausages develops an extra crispy exterior. The homemade sweet and spicy beer mustard dipping sauce is so perfectly tangy that it might just make these meaty bites a replacement for everyone's favorite cranberry sauce meatballs.
Sheet Pan Sausage and Fall Vegetables
No grill? No problem. Turn brats into an exciting sheet-pan dinner with this oven-baked bratwurst recipe. Cabbage and fingerling potatoes cook amidst the sausages for a quick and delicious one-dish dinner. Fresh sage adds a rich herbaceousness to the meat and vegetables for a quintessential fall flavor.