Brats are an iconic part of the Midwest cooking scene. Whether you’re enjoying them for a summer barbecue or at a tailgate party, it’s hard to beat the salty goodness of these flavorful sausages. While preparing bratwurst can seem like a task that takes hours upon hours, with just a few simple steps and basic items in your kitchen, you’ll soon be savoring those juicy sausages. In this blog post we will run through how long to boil brats to ensure they turn out perfectly every time!
Contents
- 1 Why Cook Boiled Brats?
- 2 Should I Even Boil Brats Before Grilling?
- 3 Reasons To Boil Before Grilling Brats
- 4 Reasons To Avoid Boiling Brats Before Grilling
- 5 How To Perfectly Boil Your Brats
- 6 How long to boil brats?
- 7 Can You Boil Bratwurst the Night Before?
- 8 How To Store Boiled Bratwurst?
- 9 What Temperature Should Boiled Bratwurst Be?
- 10 Conclusion: how long to boil brats
- 11 FAQs: boiling brats
- 11.1 Should brats be boiled before grilling?
- 11.2 Can you over boil brats?
- 11.3 How do you know when boiled brats are done?
- 11.4 Do brats float when done boiling?
- 11.5 Do you brown brats before boiling?
- 11.6 What happens if you don’t boil brats?
- 11.7 Do you boil brats covered or uncovered?
- 11.8 What is the foam when boiling brats?
- 11.9 What is the best way to cook brats on the stove?
- 11.10 What does a cooked brat look like?
Why Cook Boiled Brats?
One of the biggest questions when it comes to cooking bratwurst is how long you should boil them. While some people prefer to simply throw them on a grill, others find that boiling the sausages first adds a delicious depth of flavor and tenderness to these iconic sausages.

Should I Even Boil Brats Before Grilling?
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to how you prefer to prepare your brats. If you enjoy the flavor of grilled brats, then feel free to skip boiling them and move straight to grilling! However, if you want a slightly more tender and flavorful sausage that really highlights the savory spices that go into making these sausages so delicious, then boiling is the way to go.
Reasons To Boil Before Grilling Brats
There are a few key reasons why you might want to boil your brats before grilling them, including:

– Adding flavor: The boiling process helps infuse the bratwurst with additional flavors from the spices and cooking liquid. This adds a delicious richness that simply can’t be achieved by simply grilling.
– Tenderizing: If you’re concerned about how tough your brats might be, boiling them for a few minutes can help soften and tenderize the sausages before grilling.
– Ensuring even cooking: When boiled first, brats are much easier to grill evenly. This helps prevent any potential burning or undercooking that can occur when you’re trying to grill a large batch at once.
No matter how you choose to prepare your brats, one thing is certain: these tasty sausages are an essential part of any Midwest meal! Whether you’re enjoying them for a summer barbecue or tailgate party, these savory sausages are sure to become a favorite in no time.
Reasons To Avoid Boiling Brats Before Grilling
Cooking with boiling can be a great way to quickly and easily prepare meals, but it’s important to take precautions. If you’re not careful, overheating your food may lead to unpleasant results – so make sure you pay attention when boiling!

Mushy texture
While a perfectly cooked sausage is an appetizing treat, it all too quickly can become soggy and unpleasant if overcooked. If you’re not confident in your stovetop skills, the grill may be a better way to go for that tasty result!
Leaching flavor
No one likes a burst sausage, so it’s best to take precautions when cooking! Boiling poses the highest risk of causing such an unfortunate event—which would mean that all those delicious seasonings and fats are lost. Grilling will help keep your sausages safe from sudden bursts and ensure their tasty goodness is preserved.
How To Perfectly Boil Your Brats
Don’t let your brats be just okay; make them fabulous! Use the right ingredients and technique to ensure flavor perfection every time.

Sweet Spot: Low to Medium Heat
To get the most out of your boiling experience, start by bringing it to a rolling boil. Then, turn down the heat and let simmer – this ensures that each morsel is evenly cooked through without damaging any delicate casings!
Only Boil for a Few Minutes
Forget slow-cooking sausages, the secret to perfectly cooked links is boiling and then reducing time. Give your liquid a rolling boil before bringing it down for an ideal 10-20 minutes simmer – no more soggy or incomprehensible mushy meat!
Don’t Submerge the Sausages
Don’t let the sausages take a plunge – leave some peeling at the top! Filling your pot ¾ of the way will make sure they stay snug and safe while cooking, so that you won’t end up with any sausage surprises.
Keep It in the Casing
Boiling may be a great way to add flavor and tenderness, but it won’t necessarily pull all of the juicy goodness out unless there’s an opening. Maintaining the casing ensures that your meat packs maximum flavor!
How Long Should I Boil My Brats?
There are a few factors that can affect how long you should boil your brats, including how much water you use, how full your pot is, and how many brats you’re cooking at once. In general, it
How long to boil brats?
There is no definitive answer to this how long to boil brats question, as the length of time required to boil brats can vary depending on a number of factors. Factors that may affect how long you should boil your brats include how much water you use, how full your pot is, and how many brats you are cooking at once. In general, it is recommended that you boil your brats for 10-20 minutes at a rolling boil before reducing to a simmer, making sure not to submerge the sausages in the liquid. With proper attention and care, you should be able to achieve perfectly cooked brats every time!
Can You Boil Bratwurst the Night Before?
While there is no definitive answer to this question, it is generally recommended that you do not boil bratwurst the night before. This is because boiling can cause brats to lose their flavor and texture if done improperly. For best results, it is recommended that you boil your brats just before cooking them on the grill or in a pan. However, if you are short on time, it is also possible to pre-boil yourats and simply reheat them on the grill or in a pan before serving.
How To Store Boiled Bratwurst?
To store boiled bratwurst properly, it is important to keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Ideally, your brats should be consumed within a few days of boiling, as they may start to lose their flavor and texture over time. However, if you do need to store your brats for longer periods of time, you can also freeze them in a sealed container for up to 3 months. To defrost your brats, simply let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight or in a bowl of cold water.
What Temperature Should Boiled Bratwurst Be?
There is no single answer to this question, as the ideal temperature for boiled bratwurst will depend on how you plan to cook the links. However, in general, it is recommended that you cook your brats to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit before serving. This can be achieved by pan-frying or grilling the brats, or by baking them in the oven. You can also check the internal temperature using a food thermometer to ensure that your bratwurst is fully cooked and safe to eat.
Whether you’re looking for tasty new cooking method or simply need some quick grilling tips, boiling brats is a great way to add flavor and tenderness to your sausages. With a little care and attention, you can easily achieve perfectly cooked links every time!
Conclusion: how long to boil brats
If you are looking for a delicious and convenient cooking method, boiling brats may be the perfect option for you. With just a few simple tips and tricks, you can ensure that your sausages turn out tender and flavorful every time. From how long to boil brats to how to store them properly, there are many factors that can affect how you cook your sausages. For best results, be sure to pay attention to the water level in your pot, how full it is, and how many brats you are cooking at once. Additionally, it is important to check the internal temperature of your brats with a food thermometer, and to not submerge them in the liquid. With proper care and attention, you can enjoy perfectly cooked brats every time!
FAQs: boiling brats
Should brats be boiled before grilling?
Grill your brats with care – never boil them! Boiling can actually strip the meat of its flavour, so try another method instead. Steaming is a great way to keep them warm and flavorful; just be sure to use simmering beer and onion slices in an aluminum pan for optimal deliciousness.
Can you over boil brats?
Grill your brats with care – never boil them! Boiling can actually strip the meat of its flavour, so try another method instead. Steaming is a great way to keep them warm and flavorful; just be sure to use simmering beer and onion slices in an aluminum pan for optimal deliciousness.
How do you know when boiled brats are done?
Preparing the perfect brats requires exactness – too hot and they’ll burn, not enough heat and you won’t reach their full potential. Begin by heating your liquid to boiling then reducing it to a simmer before adding in the sausages. With patience comes culinary perfection: 20 minutes later measure with a meat thermometer for an internal temperature of 145°F and enjoy!
Do brats float when done boiling?
Tired of guessing whether your brats are ready? Boiling them is the perfect way to know for sure! Not only does an instant-read thermometer confirm it, but you’ll also be able to witness a fascinating floating phenomenon when they’re done.
Do you brown brats before boiling?
Kick off your brat feast with a pre-grill parboil! Heat up the stove or fire up the grill and get those delicious links ready to be cooked all the way through. This clever technique will ensure that savory juices remain sealed in, keeping them tender and juicy on every bite.
What happens if you don’t boil brats?
Grilling is the preferred method for preparing sausages, as it ensures a delectable texture and seals in flavor. Parboiling may seem more convenient, but can lead to meat that’s too soft or casings breaking apart due to overheating. For best results, keep your heat at medium-low and let those proteins unfold slowly!
Do you boil brats covered or uncovered?
Give your brats the perfect cook with this beer-infused method! Bring a pot of flavorful brew to a rolling boil, then reduce heat so that it’s delicately simmering. Let those sausages bathe in their boozy bath for 10 or 15 minutes (depending on thickness), ensuring they’ll be cooked evenly and succulently throughout.
What is the foam when boiling brats?
When heated, water is released from the meat and along with it comes a small helping of sarcoplasmic protein. When exposed to high temperatures, this protein undergoes an interesting transformation – taking on a frothy foamy form!
What is the best way to cook brats on the stove?
There is no one definitive answer for how to cook brats on the stove, as different methods can yield varying results. However, one of the most popular methods involves bringing a pot of beer or water to a gentle simmer before reducing heat and adding your sausages.
What does a cooked brat look like?
When the bratwurst is perfectly cooked, an instant-read thermometer should read 160°F and reveal a firm white interior with no traces of pink.
Chef Angelo Landi has been in the culinary industry for over 20 years, and he has spent the last six of those developing the menu for Coal Vines. His favorite pizza on the menu is the Spicey Meatball, which is made with spicy sausage, pepperoni, and calabrese salami. When he’s not in the kitchen cooking up a storm, Chef Angelo enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children.