Crispy German Bratwurst Skillet: 3-Step Best Recipe
A comforting and easy-to-make skillet dish featuring seared bratwurst, caramelized apples, and tangy sauerkraut. This recipe balances savory, sweet, and sour flavors for a cozy meal ready in under 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: German
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 links fresh bratwurst (pork or chicken)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
- 1 large jar (about 30 oz) sauerkraut, drained
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep the ingredients: Peel and dice the apples, slice the onions thinly, and drain the sauerkraut thoroughly, squeezing out excess moisture. Set aside.
- Sear the sausages: Heat oil and half the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bratwurst and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply browned and crisp. Remove to a plate.
- Caramelize the onions: Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining butter and sliced onions. Cook slowly for 10-15 minutes until soft and golden brown.
- Add the apples: Add diced apples to the caramelized onions and cook for 5 minutes until tender but not mushy.
- Combine and simmer: Add drained sauerkraut, caraway seeds, Dijon mustard, and chicken broth to the skillet. Stir to scrape up browned bits and bring to a simmer.
- Finish the sausages: Nestle the seared sausages back into the skillet. Cover and simmer on low heat for 10-15 minutes to heat through and meld flavors.
- Final crisp: Remove lid and let excess liquid boil off if necessary. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.
Notes
Do not pierce the sausage casings with a fork; instead, score them lightly with a knife to prevent bursting. Ensure sauerkraut is well-drained to allow for proper caramelization. For a lighter option, use turkey bratwurst. If using pre-cooked sausages, sear only to warm through as they won’t crisp as well.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 sausages with ve
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 980
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 6
- Protein: 22
Keywords: bratwurst, sauerkraut, skillet dinner, german food, comfort food, quick dinner, one pan meal, apples, onions