How to Make Oven Braised Beer Brats with Caramelized Onions
Step 1: Preheat the oven
Set your oven to 350°F so it’s ready to go when the brats are prepped.
Step 2: Caramelize the onions
In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook slowly, stirring often, until they’re soft and golden—this takes about 20–25 minutes, but it’s worth the time!
Step 3: Add garlic and brats
Stir in the garlic and cook for a minute or two until fragrant. Nestle the bratwursts into the onions.
Step 4: Pour in the liquids
Pour in the beer and beef broth until the brats are mostly covered. Stir in the Dijon mustard and season with salt and pepper to your liking.
Step 5: Bake
Bring everything to a light simmer on the stove, then transfer the skillet to your preheated oven. Bake uncovered for about 30–40 minutes, or until the brats are fully cooked and have soaked up all that amazing flavor.
Step 6: Serve it up
Spoon the onions over the brats and garnish with a little fresh parsley if you like. Serve hot!
Ingredients
- 6 bratwurst sausages
- 2 large yellow onions thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 12 oz beer pilsner or lager
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley optional, for garnish
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F.
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In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat.
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Add onions and cook for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and soft.
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Stir in garlic and cook for another 2 minutes.
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Nestle the brats among the onions. Pour in beer and beef broth.
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Stir in Dijon mustard. Season with salt and pepper.
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Bring to a light simmer, then transfer the skillet to the oven.
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Bake uncovered for 30–40 minutes, until the brats are cooked through and infused with flavor.
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Serve warm with the onions spooned over top.
Notes
- No beer? No problem. Use all beef broth instead.
- Make it spicy: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce.
- Switch the onions: Red onions bring a sharper bite, while sweet onions will mellow things out even more.
- Serving idea: Serve on buns with sauerkraut and mustard, or slice them up and pile over mashed potatoes.
This Oven Braised Beer Brats recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves bold, savory meals without a ton of fuss. The combination of beer, onions, and juicy brats is pure comfort food, and the oven does most of the heavy lifting. Simple, hearty, and full of flavor—just the way dinner should be.
