Grilled Beer Brats Illinois-Style on the Arteflame Grill

Ingredients

• 5 bratwurst sausages
• 2 bottles of your favorite beer
• 1 large sweet onion, sliced
• 2 tbsp butter
• 5 bratwurst buns
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

Step 1: Fire up the Arteflame grill

1. Pour some vegetable oil on three paper napkins.
2. Place the napkins in the center of the grill.
3. Stack firewood over the napkins and ignite the paper.
4. Allow the grill to preheat for about 20 minutes until the center grate reaches 1,000°F.

Step 2: Simmer the brats in beer

1. Move a medium-sized steel saucepan to the outer edge of the Arteflame griddle.
2. Pour in the beer and let it warm slightly.
3. Add the bratwursts and simmer for 10 minutes, rotating occasionally to ensure even cooking.

Step 3: Sear the brats

1. Move each brat to the center grill grate and sear for 1-2 minutes per side until they develop a caramelized crust.

Step 4: Caramelize the onions

1. Melt butter on the flat cooktop near the center.
2. Add sliced onions, seasoning them with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
3. Cook until they turn golden brown, about 8 minutes.

Step 5: Toast the buns and serve

1. Move bratwursts to an area of the griddle with gentler heat to rest.
2. Place buns on the outer griddle to toast lightly.
3. Assemble the brats with caramelized onions and mustard.

Tips

• Remove brats from the grill when they’re 15°F below the target temperature to allow residual heat to finish cooking them.
• Experiment with different types of beer to impart unique flavors to the bratwursts.
• Use real butter instead of oil for a richer taste.

Variations

• Spicy Jalapeño Brats: Add sliced grilled jalapeños and pepper jack cheese.
• Cheese-Stuffed Brats: Stuff brats with cheddar before grilling.
• Apple Cider Brats: Simmer in apple cider instead of beer for a sweet twist.
• Bavarian Style Brats: Top with sauerkraut and grainy mustard.
• BBQ Glazed Brats: Brush with BBQ sauce while grilling.

Conclusion

Grilling beer brats the Illinois way on the Arteflame grill results in unmatched flavor. The beer bath locks in moisture, and the high-heat sear creates the perfect crust. This method ensures the juiciest, most flavorful bratwursts that everyone will love. Fire up your Arteflame and enjoy a grilling experience that delivers steakhouse-quality results with minimal effort.

Best Pairings

• Grilled corn on the cob
• German potato salad
• Crispy sweet potato fries
• Ice-cold pilsner beer