That sounds absolutely delicious! Here’s a way to make oven-braised beer brats with caramelized apples and onions that’s savory, slightly sweet, and perfect for a cozy meal:
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 4–6 bratwurst sausages
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 medium apples, cored and sliced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well)
- 1–2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
- 1 cup beer (lager or ale)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon mustard (Dijon or yellow)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh thyme or rosemary (optional, for garnish)
- Buns or crusty bread (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Sear the brats:
- In an oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Brown the brats on all sides (about 2–3 minutes per side). Remove them and set aside.
- Caramelize onions and apples:
- In the same pan, add sliced onions and cook for 5–7 minutes until soft.
- Add apple slices, garlic, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Cook for another 5 minutes until slightly caramelized.
- Deglaze with beer:
- Pour in the beer and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
- Stir in mustard and season with pepper.
- Braise the brats:
- Return the brats to the pan, nestling them among the apples and onions.
- Cover with a lid or aluminum foil and place in the oven.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes until brats are fully cooked and juicy.
- Finish & serve:
- Remove from oven, sprinkle with fresh thyme or rosemary if desired.
- Serve brats with the caramelized apples and onions on the side or in buns.
💡 Tips:
- Using a slightly sweet beer (like a Märzen or amber ale) enhances the caramelization.
- You can also broil for 2–3 minutes at the end to get a slightly crispy skin on the brats.
If you want, I can also give you a one-pan version that keeps everything extra saucy and even easier to serve—perfect for minimal cleanup. Do you want me to do that?
