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Best Oktoberfest Bratwurst Skillet: Easy 30-Minute Dinner

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A quick and hearty one-pan meal featuring bratwurst nestled in tangy sauerkraut with caramelized onions and apples, perfect for a cozy Oktoberfest-inspired dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 fresh bratwurst links (about 1.5 pounds)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium apple (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), cored and thinly sliced
  • 1 can or bottle of beer (12 oz), such as lager, pilsner, or Oktoberfest-style
  • 1 ½ cups sauerkraut, drained but not rinsed
  • 1 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
  • Whole grain mustard (for serving, optional)
  • Fresh pretzel rolls or crusty bread (for serving, optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients first: thinly slice the onion and apple, mince the garlic, and drain the sauerkraut.
  2. Heat your skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and let it shimmer for about 30 seconds. Place the bratwurst links in the pan, not crowding them.
  3. Brown the bratwurst for 4-5 minutes total, about 2 minutes per side, until deeply golden brown. Remove to a plate, leaving rendered fat and browned bits in the pan.
  4. Add the sliced onion to the same pan. Reduce heat to medium. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and golden.
  5. Add the minced garlic and sliced apple. Cook for another 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
  6. Pour in the beer. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up all browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it bubble for about 2 minutes.
  7. Stir in the sauerkraut, caraway seeds, black pepper, and brown sugar. Mix until well combined.
  8. Nestle the bratwurst back into the skillet, pushing them down into the sauerkraut mixture.
  9. Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 12-15 minutes until bratwurst is cooked through (internal temperature of 160°F).
  10. Remove the lid, increase heat to medium-high, and cook for 2-3 minutes uncovered to caramelize.
  11. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot with whole grain mustard and pretzel rolls or crusty bread if desired.

Notes

Don’t rinse the sauerkraut; the brine adds flavor. Use a beer you’d actually drink. Let the skillet rest for 5 minutes after simmering for best flavor. For gluten-free, use gluten-free bratwurst and gluten-free beer.

Nutrition

Keywords: bratwurst, sauerkraut, Oktoberfest, one-pan, skillet, 30-minute dinner, German recipe

Find it online: https://spoonluma.com/best-oktoberfest-bratwurst-skillet-easy-30-minute-dinner/