These juicy, Lager-infused Wisconsin beer brats on soft, toasted buns will be your new summer cookout go-to. Topped with spicy mustard, grilled onions and tangy sauerkraut, they’re the perfect excuse to fire up the grill.

Wisconsin beer brats with spicy mustard and sauerkraut.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Beer Brats Recipe
What You’ll Need
How To Make Wisconsin Beer Brats
Tips & Variations
Ways To Serve Beer Brats
Proper Storage
More Easy Dinner Recipes
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Why You’ll Love This Beer Brats Recipe

This recipe is so good you’ll be on hot dog duty for all your summer cookouts from now on.

Crowd-pleaser. Halve, double, or triple the recipe as needed. Everyone loves juicy hot dogs fresh out of the grill!
Great for cookouts. You can’t have a summer cookout without a good ol’ hot dog.
Versatile. Serve the toppings and condiments on the side so people can add whatever they want.
Twist on a classic. Boiling the sausages with beer and onions infuses more flavor in each bite.

Labeled ingredients for Wisconsin beer brats.

What You’ll Need

The malty Lager and sweet onion balance out the sausage’s savoriness. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact amounts.

Johnsonville Original Brats – You can use your favorite sausages or bratwurst.
Lager beer – It has a very subtle, crisp taste. Use an IPA for bitterness or a Stout for roasted, sweet depth.
Onion – Yellow or white onions work best.
Hotdog buns – I love brioche hot dog buns becase they’re super soft, but use your favorite.

Optional Garnishes:

Mustard – Use spicy, whole-grain, or yellow mustard.
Sauerkraut – It adds tang and salty brine.
Grilled onions – You can also use caramelized onions.
Ketchup – Add your favorite.

How To Make Wisconsin Beer Brats

The grill marks on the brats add toasty goodness to every bite. Scroll to the bottom of the post for the full recipe card.

Adding the onions, beer, and sausages to the pot. — Stir the pot every once in a while as it boils.

Grilled beer brats with grill marks. — Stir the pot every once in a while as it boils.

Boil them. Add the beer, onions, and brats to a large pot. Cover it and boil everything for 30 minutes. Drain well and set them aside.
Grill the brats. Place the grill over medium-high heat. Add the brats and grill them for 10 minutes or until browned on all sides.
Serve. Remove the sausages from the grill and serve them in hot dog buns. Add your favorite condiments and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

Smokey beer brats are the perfect canvas for your favorite savory toppings and condiments like crispy bacon and creamy aioli.

Add toppings. Topping your hot dogs with ketchup, mustard, mayo, or Roasted Garlic Aioli is a great way to add more flavor. Pickle relish, crushed potato chips, and crumbled bacon are other great options.
Tex-Mex beer brats. Load the hot dogs with chili beans, 1-2 tablespoons melty cheddar cheese, and freshly sliced jalapeños.
Make it alcohol-free. Use a 0% alcohol Lager “beer” to prepare this recipe so that it’s completely family-friendly. You can also swap it for water.
Heat the buns. Microwave the buns for 10-15 seconds or until warm and soft. This makes it easier to open them up without breaking.
German-style brats. Add sauerkraut or German potato salad to taste over your hot dogs for a German twist.

Juicy grilled beer brats on a baking tray with toppings.

Ways To Serve Beer Brats

These beer brats go perfectly with all your cookout favorites like Brisket Sliders, Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Jalapeños, and Garlic Parmesan Fries. Tortilla chips with Guacamole, Pico de Gallo, and Chile Con Queso are great too. If you prefer chicken appetizers, try my Buffalo Chicken Wings and Air Fryer Chicken Tenders.

Wisconsin Beer Brats