Austrian Smoked Bratwurst with Sauerkraut

Introduction

There's something special about the smoky, savory bite of Austrian bratwurst paired with warm sauerkraut and a touch of mustard. With the Arteflame grill, you’ll achieve an unbeatable sear on your bratwurst while cooking everything—sausages, kraut, and more—at the same time. This method locks in the juiciness of the bratwurst while creating beautifully caramelized flavors. Ready to get started? Fire up your grill and let’s cook this Austrian classic!

Ingredients

• 4 Austrian bratwurst sausages
• 2 cups sauerkraut, drained
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tsp caraway seeds
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 rustic rolls or pretzel buns
• Spicy or Dijon mustard

Instructions

Step 1: Fire up the Arteflame grill

1. Pour some vegetable oil on three napkins and place them in the grill.
2. Stack firewood on top of the napkins and light them.
3. Allow the grill to heat for about 20 minutes until the center grill grate is at high searing temperature.

Step 2: Prepare the sauerkraut mixture

1. On the outer edge of the cooktop, melt the butter.
2. Add sliced onions and cook until softened.
3. Stir in the sauerkraut and caraway seeds.
4. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Move the sauerkraut closer to the center if more heat is needed.

Step 3: Sear the bratwurst

1. Place bratwurst on the center grill grate to sear for about 1-2 minutes per side.
2. Once nicely seared, move the bratwurst to the flat cooktop.
3. Cook evenly for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until internal temp reaches 150°F.
4. Remove bratwurst from the grill when internal temp reaches 135°F as they'll continue cooking off the heat.

Step 4: Toast the buns

1. Place buns on the outer edge of the cooktop.
2. Toast for 1-2 minutes until they are warm and slightly crispy.

Step 5: Assemble and serve

1. Place bratwurst in buns.
2. Top with warm sauerkraut.
3. Drizzle with mustard.
4. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips

• Let your bratwurst rest for a few minutes before serving to keep them juicy.
• Adjust the placement of your food on the grill cooktop for optimal heat control.
• For extra smoky flavor, add a wood chunk to the fire while grilling.

Variations

1. Spicy Bratwurst: Add sliced jalapeños to the sauerkraut and use a spicy mustard.
2. Beer Brats: Marinate the bratwurst in beer before grilling for extra flavor.
3. Apple-Braised Bratwurst: Add diced apples and a splash of apple cider to the sauerkraut.
4. Cheese-Stuffed Brats: Use bratwurst stuffed with cheese for a gooey surprise.
5. Garlic and Herb Brats: Mix fresh minced garlic and parsley into the sauerkraut.

Conclusion

By grilling bratwurst on the Arteflame, you get the perfect sear, juicy bite, and full-bodied smoky flavor. With sauerkraut caramelized to perfection and toasted buns, this dish is an Austrian classic worth savoring.

Best pairings

• Austrian potato salad
• Soft pretzels with beer cheese dip
• German-style mustard
• Cold Austrian lager or wheat beer