Hi, readers Autin Carter welcomes you all to Beyond The Bayou Blog to cook your favorite dish today: The Bratwurst Burger Recipe. There is nothing like a great burger. Juicy flavorful meat, cheese, all the toppings–like really who doesn’t crave a good burger?

So, in the spirit, I wanted to make some burgers that celebrate sausage and beer. So, a bratwurst burger with caramelized onions, sauerkraut, and Muenster cheese was made!

Since moving out to Texas my eating habits have changed. I enjoy a good brat with some local beer. Microbreweries are popping up all over the States with great craft beer. It is a great setting to hang out with friends and have some great food. A lot of food trucks go out to these breweries and a few friends and I try to meet and catch up over a few brews and food.

This recipe comes together quickly. The beer-braised onions are what take a little bit of time. When cooking the sauerkraut, make sure to drain it well. I just sat it in a strainer to get most of the liquid out.

Trying this recipe brings me a different kind of pleasure and hope you will get that too. Just be ready to kickstart our Bratwurst Burger Recipe in the next few minutes.

What Is Bratwurst Burger?

The combination of traditional German sausage flavor with the convenience of a burger creates a mouth-watering Bratwurst Burger, a tasty take on the typical hamburger. The ground pork is first marinated in a spicy mixture that includes ginger, nutmeg, and white pepper until it becomes juicy. These juicy patties are made with premium ingredients and cooked to order on the stovetop or grill. Caramelized onions, tangy sauerkraut, melting cheese, and a toasted bun make for a savory delight in every bite. The savory, spicy, and acidic flavors come together in a delicious blend that complements any casual or BBQ dish. Enjoy your burger with Campfire Sauce and get the best out of the meal.

Overview: How To Make Bratwurst Burger?

Step 1: Season the Pork

Mix the Pork and Spices: In a large bowl, combine 1 1/2 pounds of ground pork with 1/4 teaspoon each of ground ginger, ground white pepper, ground allspice, and ground nutmeg. Add 1 1/4 teaspoons of kosher salt and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Mix well until all the spices are evenly distributed throughout the pork.
Taste and Adjust: Adjust the seasoning if needed. This will ensure your patties are flavorful.

Step 2: Caramelize the Onions

Melt the Butter: In a large skillet, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat.
Add the Onions: Add the thinly sliced onions to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions become caramelized. This should take about 30 to 60 minutes. Be patient; caramelizing onions takes time but is worth the effort.
Add Sauerkraut and Beer: Once the onions are caramelized, add 1 cup of drained sauerkraut and 1/2 cup of beer to the skillet. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced. This will add a rich, tangy flavor to the onions.

Step 3: Cook the Pork Patties

Form the Patties: Divide the seasoned pork mixture into 5-6 equal portions and form into patties.
Preheat the Pan: Heat a large, oiled pan over medium heat.
Cook the Patties: Cook the pork patties for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they are fully cooked and browned.

Step 4: Prepare the Buns

Toast the Buns: Slice the pretzel buns in half and toast them until they are golden brown.
Spread with Condiments: Spread mayo on one half of each bun and whole grain mustard on the other half. This will add a creamy and tangy flavor to the burgers.

Step 5: Assemble the Burgers

Place the Patty: Place a cooked pork patty on the bottom half of each toasted bun.
Add the Toppings: Top each patty with a generous amount of the caramelized onion and sauerkraut mixture.
Add the Cheese: Place a slice of Munster cheese on top of the onion mixture.
Finish the Burger: Close the burger with the top half of the bun.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!

Enjoy: Enjoy your delicious homemade pork burgers with caramelized onions and sauerkraut!

Serve Immediately: Serve the burgers immediately while they are hot and the cheese is melty.

Try More Such Recipes!

Other Ways to Make Bratwurst Burger!

Using the Pellet Smoker

Make sure your hopper is filled with pellets.
Preheat your grill or smoker to 275-300°F. Ensure your grates are clean.
Place your burgers onto the grates and close the lid.

Using a Charcoal Grill

Prepare your charcoal grill for 2-zone cooking, aiming for about 275-300°F. This means banking your charcoal to one side of the grill, creating a hot zone and a cool zone.
Add a handful of wood chips over the top of your charcoal, evenly distributing them to prevent flare-ups.
Place your burgers on the cooler side, monitoring the ones closest to the coals.

Using a Gas Grill

Create a foil pack. Tear off a piece of foil large enough to accommodate about 1 cup of wood chips, then spread them out. Fold all sides over to create an envelope. Use a fork or knife to pierce 2-3 holes in the top for smoke to escape, being careful not to pierce all the way through both sides.
Preheat your grill to 275-300°F. Place the foil pack on top of a burner turned to high heat, allowing the wood chips to smolder as it comes to temperature.
Place the prepared burger patties on the cool side of the grill and close the lid.

What to Serve with Bratwurst Burger?

Time For The Tips!

Stick to the Recipe for Best Results: While I recommend sticking to the recipe for the best results, if you’re missing one seasoning, don’t worry! Omitting one won’t ruin the flavor.
Optimal Taste with Overnight Rest: For optimal taste, I usually let the pork and seasonings meld in the fridge overnight. But if you’re in a hurry, cooking them right away still tastes great. In fact, the burger in my photos was cooked and eaten within an hour of making the patties, and it was fantastic!
Adjust Cooking Heat for Perfect Patties: If your patty looks gray even when fully cooked, your heat is too low. Increase it slightly to get a flavorful brown crust on the outside. Conversely, if your heat is too high, lower it a bit to ensure the inside cooks without burning the exterior.
Brown Crust Tip: If your patty is fully cooked but still looks gray, the heat is too low. Raise the heat a bit to get a nice, flavorful brown crust on the outside.
Avoid Burning: If your heat is too high, the exterior may burn before the inside is fully cooked. Lower the heat slightly to ensure the inside cooks properly without burning the outside.

Managing and Storing Leftovers!

Let it Cool: After your meal, give your leftover patties, onions, sauerkraut, and buns some time to cool down. We don’t want to rush this part but try to get them into the fridge within a couple of hours.
Pack them Up: Once everything’s cooled down, pack your leftovers into containers or wrap them up nicely and snugly. This helps keep them fresh and tasty.
Into the Fridge: Pop those containers or wrapped goodies into the fridge. Aim to get them in there within a couple of hours after cooking. They’ll hang out happily in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Reheat with Care: When you’re ready to enjoy your leftovers, make sure to reheat them thoroughly. You can do this in the microwave or on the stove. Just make sure they’re heated through to 165°F to keep them safe to eat.
Get Creative: Don’t be afraid to get a little creative with your leftovers! You can mix them into a breakfast scramble, toss them into a salad, or use them as a pizza topping. The possibilities are endless!

What Makes a Brat a Brat?

“Brat” means chopped meat in German, and “wurst” means sausage. Bratwurst features a unique spice blend, usually including pepper, caraway, ginger, and mace. Mace, a popular German seasoning, can be substituted with nutmeg.