Bratwurst with Beer Sauce
Have I Died and Gone to Heaven?
Isn't it amazing how some things just seem destined to go
together? Peanut butter and jelly, milk and cookies, ice cream and cones –
they're a match made in heaven. And let's not forget grilling bratwurst and
beer. This recipe is not only incredibly easy but also tastes absolutely
phenomenal.
My dear friends, Bob and Debbie, used to live down the
street and were huge fans of this recipe. Every time we had pool parties, they
would request it. Bob had a quirky habit of seasoning everything he ate with
ketchup, which we playfully called "Bob Spice." I felt honored that
this dish was exempt from the Bob Spice treatment.
Though they've since moved back to Orillia, Canada, I can
still hear Bob saying, "Hey Johnnie! How about you make those Beer Brats
this weekend, eh? We'll bring the beer!" Well, Bob, this Labatt's Blue is
for you, my friend. Cheers!
I love making this dish on a grill with a side burner to
save the hassle of running back and forth from the kitchen. If you don't have a
side burner, it's still doable – just a bit less convenient. You can even use
kielbasa instead of bratwurst if you prefer. No harm done, it'll still taste
great.
**Ingredients:**
- 1 can of your favorite beer
- 1 ½ cups of water
- 2 medium yellow onions, chopped
- 2 pounds of bratwurst
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
- ¼ teaspoon of black pepper
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 2 tablespoons of flour
- 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- Fresh parsley for garnish
**How to Make It:**
1. **Preheat the Grill:** Start by preheating your grill to medium-high heat. A gas grill with a side burner is recommended, but you can also use the stovetop indoors.
2. **Prepare the Beer Mixture:** In a saucepan on the side burner, combine the beer, water, chopped onions, bratwurst, salt, and pepper. Heat over medium heat until it reaches a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.
3. **Grill the Bratwurst:** Carefully remove the bratwurst from the beer mixture and place them on the grill. Turn them frequently to ensure they brown evenly. They are done when an instant-read thermometer reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. **Make the Sauce:** While the bratwurst are grilling, take a large sauté pan and melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for about 6 minutes to create a light brown roux.
5. **Combine Ingredients:** Add the apple cider vinegar, sugar, and the reserved beer mixture to the sauté pan. Season with salt and pepper, then bring the mixture to a boil.
6. **Thicken the Sauce:** Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, which should take about 10 to 15 minutes.
7. **Finish the Dish:** Slice the grilled bratwurst into 1-inch pieces and add them to the sauce. Cook for an additional 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
8. **Garnish and Serve:** Garnish with fresh parsley, and your Bratwurst with Beer Sauce is ready to serve!
Serve this wonderfully flavorful dish to your adoring guests
with pride. You've done an excellent job, and I'm proud of you.