Name: How to Cook Bratwurst in the Oven
Prep time: 3 min
Cook time: 17 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 5 uncooked bratwurst; salt (to taste); black pepper (to taste)

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Everything you need to know about how to cook bratwurst in the oven, and why it turns out just as good as grilling in under 20 minutes.

Grilled brats are loved for that browned, slightly crisp exterior. Brats in the oven delivers the same result by roasting the brats at a high temperature, then finishing them under the broiler. You get that familiar golden, lightly charred exterior with a tender, juicy center, no grill required.

Brats in the oven are the way to go for a quick dinner.

Grilling season is quickly fading (for us midwesterners at least) but football and tailgating is just at the beginning. Game day food like sausage balls, slow cooker chili, garlic mustard chicken and pulled pork baked potatoes is my favorite part of football parties and fall picnics.

What happens when the weather is poor or you don’t have access to a grill? What is the best way to cook brats indoors? This baked bratwurst recipe is what you need.

I’ll teach exactly how to get crispy, yet juicy oven baked brats. It’s an easy dinner idea for any time of year and goes perfectly with our mustard bbq sauce, cheese sauce and buffalo sauce.

So yes, you can and should bake brats in the oven. It’s a great method for beer brats, Italian sausages and even oven baked kielbasa.

Next, try our oven baked chicken legs, grilled pork chops and fried pork chops.

Enjoy! -Julie

What temp should brats be baked at?

You’ll find varying recommendations about what temperature brats should be cooked at, ranging from 350ºF up to 425ºF.

I like cooking bratwurst in the oven at the high temperature of 425ºF so that they cook quickly and get a little crispy on the outsides, like with our oven roasted red potatoes.

How to Cook Bratwurst in the Oven

5 from 9 votes

Everything you need to know about how to cook bratwurst in the oven. It's every bit as good as grilling and is ready in under 20 minutes.

Servings 5

Prep Time 3

Cook Time 17

Total Time 20

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Equipment

rimmed baking pan
aluminum foil

Ingredients

5 uncooked bratwurst
salt to taste
black pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425º Fahrenheit. Cover a rimmed baking sheet (with at least 1” edges) with aluminum foil.
Place the bratwurst on the prepared pan with at least 1” space between.
5 uncooked bratwurst
Bake for 8 minutes, then flip the brats and cook for an additional 6 minutes.
Set the oven to high broil (the pan should be on the center rack of the oven, not too close to the top). Broil on high for 3 minutes. The brats should have an internal temperature of 160ºF. Season with salt and pepper.
salt, black pepper
Serve on toasted buns with sauerkraut and over favorite toppings.

Notes

If you’re cooking the brats with other veggies in the pan, they’ll need 20 to 25 minutes. When cooked by themselves, the bratwurst cook in just 15 minutes.
According to the USDA, brats are fully cooked when the internal temperature has reached 160ºF. You can test the temperature by inserting a meat thermometer into the center of the brat.
Storage Instructions: Store any leftover brats in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Leftovers will keep for up to 3-4 days.
Refer to the article above for more tips and tricks.

The calories shown are based on the recipe making 5 bratwurst, with 1 serving being 1 brat. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box are calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.**

Nutrition

Author Julie Clark

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Calories 220

Keyword easy dinner idea, easy recipe, how to bake

How to Cook Bratwurst in the Oven

Johnsonville brats are the most common and very popular type of pork brat in the US. There are other brats that contain not only pork, but also beef and veal. Choose any flavor of those or whatever your favorite brand is.

Cover a rimmed sheet pan (with at least 1” edges) with aluminum foil (or high temperature parchment paper) for easy clean-up. You can also use a 9×13 casserole dish or even a cast iron skillet if you don’t have a rimmed baking sheet.

Place the bratwurst on the prepared pan with at least 1” space between.
Bake brats for 8 minutes, then flip the brats and cook for an additional 6 minutes. Cooking time can vary based on the size of the brats, ovens and types of baking pans, so always check the internal temperature of the brats (details below).
Set the oven to high broil (the pan should be on the center oven rack, not too close to the top). Broil on high for 3 minutes.

Toppings for Brats

Bratwursts are traditionally served on brat buns or hot dog buns. Here are some options for how to top your bratwurst sandwiches that will enhance and compliment the flavors of the brats.