Bratwurst is a favorite in Germany and is a type of German sausage which is made from either veal, pork or beef. The name has been derived from the German word Brät, which is in connection with the meat that makes up the sausage. Therefore, the word “Bratwurst” refers to a type of sausage which is made from pork in a natural casing. It is grilled or even fried in a pan to make delicious dishes out of it. The sausage is one of the favorites in Germany, and each region has its specialty and variations.
Bratwurst is one of the oldest dishes of Germany and the first documented evidence of it goes back to almost 1313 which is found in Nuremberg, a Franconian city. The place is an internationally renowned center very famous for its grill sausages production. You can visit this place to relish these great grill sausages and enjoy a tour of the city of Nuremberg.
The History of German Sausage
There is evidence of Bratwurst dating back to the 1300s in some region which later became Eastern German. It is one of the most eaten foods amongst the farmers. The fat-filled sausages would be made in the morning and would eat them by noon as they get spoiled fast. You will find the tradition continuing in various German cities, as even now brats are consumed for breakfast.
In Germany, we believe that the appetite for sausages has always run very deep. The sausages may have its roots in ancient Greece, but it has firmly developed with the German culture. It has been learned that the best sausage hails from the colder mountain regions, like Germany. Here food was not only available during cooler months, but the dry winds from the North helped in the cutting prices. Hence the famous term, “bratwurst” has been derived from the German words brat which means finely chopped meat and Wurst meaning sausage. The latter also has likely to be stemmed from the word Warren meaning mixture.
Raw vs. Pre-Cooked Bratwurst
You will find that some Bratwursts are sold raw whereas some are sold in a pre-cooked style. You need to know this accurately so that you can prepare the dish before eating as per the requirements of the sausage. Each style has its own distinct flavour attached to it so you can try out either one.
Pre-Cooked Bratwurst
It is the most common type of Bratwurst you will find, in the pre-cooked form. It has a longer shelf-life and is easier and faster to get grilled. They have a pale and stiff appearance. Since these Bratwursts are cooked, all you need to do is simply brown them in a pan or maybe on the grill. After this, they are ready for eating.
Raw Bratwurst
You will find the raw bratwursts in pink color. They must be fully cooked from inside without burning on the outside while you grill them, and this requires skill. You can cook the Bratwurst in hot and not boiling water for about 5 to 10 minutes. After it has fully cooked from the inside, all you have to do is brown the outside of the Brat on a pan or a grill.
Other than this, if you want to grill the brat in its raw form without pre-cooking it, then grill it over a low heat and frequently spritz them with beer or water to cool the skin and prevent burning. Remove them from the heat and keep it covered for some time, when they look done. It will make sure that the bratwurst continues to get cooked on the inside taking care of the part of the sausage which is not fully cooked yet.
BRATWURST VARIETIES
Each region in Germany is known to have its version of the Bratwurst. There are over 50 varieties available in Germany, which differs in size, texture, and even seasonings.
Coburger Bratwurst
This kind of bratwurst is made from a minimum of 15% veal or beef and consists of seasonings like pepper, salt, lemon zest and nutmeg. It has a course texture and measures around 10 inches in length. It is usually grilled over pinecones and is served in bread rolls.
Fränkische Bratwurst
It is a long, coarse, thick sausage measuring almost 4 to 8 inches. Fränkische Bratwurst is traditionally served with a potato salad or sauerkraut without mustard.
Kulmbacher Bratwurst
These are long and thin and are made with finely ground veal. It originated from the city of Kulmbach in Bavaria.
Nürnberger Rostbratwurst
It is a small and thin bratwurst variety which measures no longer than 3 to 4 inches. These are usually served in sets of about 6 to 12 along with a potato salad or sauerkraut. People from these parts of the world enjoy it all throughout the year.
HOMEMADE BRATWURST
The given recipe would make about 5 pounds of bratwurst in an economical manner without having to spend a lot on the local store-bought sausages. So next time save some money and make some grilled bratwurst for your sandwiches and party really easy. You can cook this recipe and share it with friends and family on a get together or a birthday party – it works well for all occasions.
Ingredients
To prepare delicious bratwurst, we will need the following ingredients in the quanities mentioned below –
- 3lbs good quality juicy pork
- 2lbs lean beef
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup beer
- 1 and a half teaspoons of powdered black pepper
- One teaspoon paprika
- Half teaspoon nutmeg
- One teaspoon cayenne pepper
- One tablespoon dry mustard
- One tablespoon grounded sage
- Two teaspoons onion powder
- One tablespoon coriander
- Five teaspoons salt
- Two teaspoons of white sugar
DIRECTIONS
- The preparation time is around 30 minutes. Follow the instructions to make the best bratwurst:
- First, cut the juicy pork and the beef into 2-inch cubes
- Next, grind them through a ¼ inch grinding plate.
- Next, take a small mixing bowl and beat the eggs and beer together until they blend well.
- Add all the dry ingredients and mix well.
- Take a large bowl and combine all the ground meat and the wet mixture until they get incorporated very nicely.
- Cover this mixture using a plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 2 hours. For best results you can even refrigerate it up to 24 hours. The longer, the better it will be.
- After this, you can stuff them into casings or even wrap in 1 pound packages and freeze after that.
There you go, your delicious homemade Bratwurst is ready!
Now that you have homemade Bratwurst ready, here is a recipe that will help you make one of the authentic dishes – the German way!
Authentic Wisconsin Bratwurst!
The following ingredients would be required to make this authentic dish of Germany with Bratwurst. The recipe is for six servings. You will need:
- Six fresh bratwurst
- Two bottles of dark beer
- One nicely sliced onion
- ¼ cup of dark brown sugar
- 1 lb drained sauerkraut
DIRECTIONS
- The first step is to bring the beer, onions, and the brown sugar to a boil. Get the brats and place them in the liquid and turn to lowest heat, so that they just simmer.
- Prepare your grill and fire it up. When it is ready, take the brats from the beer and grill them. Since they are already pretty cooked, less time is needed on the grill.
- Next, turn the heat high under the beer.
- Put in all or little bit of your drained sauerkraut.
- Cook them on high flame until the brats come in from the grill.
- After this, you can add some condiments like mustard, pickle, raw onions and eat it like a hotdog.
There you go, the authentic dish is ready for you to relish with your family and friends. Next time you plan a party do include this delicious dish in your menu.