It's Time to Fire up the Grill!

When you live in Minnesota or Wisconsin, brats are a must-have at every summer weekend grilling event.  They are pretty much seen as a staple.  Whether you are hanging out at the lake, taking in a baseball game or gathering on your deck for an impromptu party you just can’t go wrong if you serve brats. Mustard & Beer Brats will give your brats a new flavor twist.  Now, for all of my friends and family who know I do not drink beer, I must admit the beer along with the brown sugar and spicy brown mustard adds a robust taste to the brats.

For this recipe it is important to purchase fully cooked bratwurst.  This keeps the cooking time to a minimum.  Start to finish this recipe only takes about 20 minutes.  If you use uncooked brats you will need to increase the cooking time.

If you have a gas grill turn it on to medium heat.  If you are using a charcoal grill, heat until coals are ash white.  Cut 4 (1/4-inch deep) slits in each bratwurst.  I cut the slits on a diagonal.  Not only does it give the brats an attractive appearance it also allows them to soak up the flavorful beer mixture as they cook.

In a 3-quart saucepan combine the beer, brown sugar and spicy mustard.

Cook over medium-high heat until the mixture comes to a boil.  This only takes about 2 to 3 minutes.

Add the brats to the beer mixture.  Reduce the heat to low and cook for 5 minutes.

Remove the brats from the beer mixture.  I used a pair of tongs.

Reserve the beer mixture (you can just pour it into the cup you measured the beer in so you’ll have fewer dishes to clean up later J).

Place the brats on the grill.

Now brush generously with the reserved beer mixture.

Grill, turning once and brushing with the reserved beer mixture, until the brats are browned and heated through (about 3 to 5 minutes).

While the brats are grilling, spread the cut-sides of the buns with the softened butter.

When the brats are heated through, remove them from the grill and place the buns on the grill cut-side down.

Grill the buns until toasted (about 1 to 2 minutes).  Watch them closely and check them often so they don’t burn.

Serve the brats in the toasted buns.

Top with pickle relish, chopped onion, mustard, ketchup, or any other toppings you like.

Now that’s a brat worth bragging about!  How do you prepare your bratwurst?  Are there any special toppings you like to serve?  I’d appreciate your taking the time to rate and review Mustard & Beer Brats.

On Monday Liz will share a new light butter recipe recipe on the grill - it is salmon at its finest.

Becky Wahlund is the Director of the Test Kitchens for Land O'Lakes and writes for our Recipe Buzz™ Blog.