Bratwurst, or “brats,” are synonymous with summer here in Wisconsin. Cooking them to perfection is a bit of an art form. Overcooked brats are dry and flavorless. Undercooked brats can put you at risk for foodborne illnesses. We sat down with one of our butchers, Jason McDonald, to find out the secret to cooking brats.
The Grain Bin Butchery & Market: Bratwurst Q&A
How long do you boil brats before grilling?
According to Jason, you don’t! He maintains that boiling brats before grilling strips the meat of its flavor and dries it out. If you’ve ever boiled brats, you may have noticed how cloudy the water is afterward. All that juice belongs in your brat, not in a pot of water!
We know that whether to boil brats or not is an age-old question. If you’re used to boiling bratwurst before grilling them, skip that step next time. See if you notice a difference.
How long should you grill bratwurst?
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends that you cook brats to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Jason aims for an internal temperature of 160 to 165.
How long it takes to reach that temperature depends on your cooking method and how hot your grill or stovetop is. Don’t rely on time or appearance when deciding if brats are ready to eat. You should always use a meat thermometer to check a bratwurst’s internal temperature.
What's the best way to cook brats in an air fryer?
Some people use their air fryers more than they use their stoves or grills. We understand the appeal. However, we’ve never tried cooking brats in an air fryer.
If you’ve cooked brats in an air fryer, we’d love to hear from you! Drop us a comment and tell us what worked or didn’t work.
Try The Grain Bin Butchery & Market’s Housemade Brats Today
Now that you know the best way to cook brats, it's time to get grilling! We make all of our bratwurst in-house. You can’t go wrong with our original flavor. Try the jalapeno popper if you like a little heat. And, our Philly cheesesteak brats often sell out.
Call our Boyceville butcher shop today to see what brats we have in stock or to place an order, 1-715-632-2800. See you soon!