Best Easy Bavarian Bratwurst and Sauerkraut Skillet Recipe
A quick and easy one-pan meal featuring juicy bratwurst, tangy sauerkraut, caramelized onions, and sweet apples. Perfect for busy weeknights, this rustic skillet dinner is hearty, comforting, and ready in about 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: German
Ingredients
Scale
- 4–6 bratwurst sausages (about 1.5 lbs)
- 1 jar or bag sauerkraut (about 16 oz)
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced thin
- 1 medium apple (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), sliced thin
- 1/2 cup beer (optional, or use chicken broth)
- 2 tablespoons butter or oil
- 1 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prep ingredients: slice onion into thin half-rings, core and slice apple, chop parsley, drain sauerkraut slightly.
- Heat skillet over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon butter or oil. Brown bratwurst for 4-5 minutes per side until deep golden brown. Set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium, add remaining butter. Cook onion, apple, and caraway seeds for 5-7 minutes until soft and golden, scraping up browned bits.
- Deglaze with beer or broth, let bubble for 1 minute.
- Add sauerkraut, stir to combine. Nestle bratwurst back into the kraut.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until brats reach 160°F internally.
- Let rest uncovered for 2-3 minutes. Garnish with parsley and serve.
Notes
Don’t pierce the brats to keep them juicy. The apple adds sweetness that balances the sauerkraut. For extra crispy edges, uncover and increase heat for 1-2 minutes at the end.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 b
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 1000
- Fat: 32
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 24
Keywords: bratwurst, sauerkraut, skillet, one-pan, German, quick dinner, weeknight meal