How to Cook Brats in the Oven

All you need to know about cooking brats in the oven for a quick and delicious meal. Great for weeknight dinners and game-day parties.

Making brats in the oven is a great way to make this classic dish without firing up the grill. It’s the perfect way to prepare them if the weather isn’t ideal for grilled brats or you just need a quick and easy dinner.

The results are plump, juicy sausages that turn out perfectly every time. Even better, you’ll have a delicious meal ready in 30 minutes.

Easy Oven Baked Brats

Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have perfectly baked brats in no time. Here are the ingredients and supplies you’ll need to get started:

Ingredients

• Uncooked bratwursts
• Brat buns, sausage rolls, or hot dog buns
• Toppings, if preferred

We like the Johnsonville original, cheddar, hot Italian sausage, or beer bratwursts. They have many more flavors to choose from – see here, depending on what you can find at your local grocery store. Local meat shops typically have a selection of regular and uniquely flavored brats.

Bratwursts: if you use smaller or larger sausage than the Johnsonville brats, you’ll want to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Buns: traditional hot dog buns work just fine, but we love to use sausage rolls or XL brat buns.

Toppings: find a huge list of delicious bratwurst topping ideas here.

Supplies

• Rimmed baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Instant read meat thermometer
• Aluminum foil

Baking sheet: any oven-safe baking tray, pan, casserole dish, or skillet will work just fine.

Parchment paper: we love to use pre-cut parchment sheets; there’s less hassle trying to cut the right size for your pan. You can also use aluminum foil or cooking spray instead.

How to Cook Fresh Brats in the Oven 

Begin by preheating your oven to 425°F. Then prepare a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. This will make for easy clean-up and prevent the brats from sticking.

Place the uncooked brats on the prepared baking pan, leaving room between them (at least 1/2 inch to 1 inch of space) to allow the heat around them and cook evenly.

Place the pan on your oven rack and roast for 10 minutes on the first side.

Then flip each bratwurst and cook an additional 8 to 10 minutes. Or until the brats reach an internal temperate of 160°F for pork or beef sausages. (165°F for turkey or chicken variations.)

Carmelizing: you’ll notice the sausages won’t come out of the oven as browned on the outside compared to pan-fried or grilled brats. To caramelize the exterior of the brats, you can broil them on high for a few minutes.

Remove the brats from the oven and let them rest for three to five minutes, using foil to loosely cover and keep them warm.

Serve the bratwurst on sausage rolls with your favorite brat toppings. Find the ultimate list of brat toppings here.

What temperature do you cook brats in the oven

Bake fresh raw brats at 425 degrees in the oven for 18 to 20 minutes total, flipping halfway through (every ten minutes). Make sure the brats reach an internal temperature of 160°F.

You can also bake at lower temperatures, but you will need to adjust the cooking time accordingly. Here are oven temperatures and times to use as a guide:

• 350°F – bake for 25 to 30 minutes (and internal temp 160°F)
• 375°F – bake for 22 to 25 minutes (and internal temp 160°F)
• 400°F – bake for 20 to 22 minutes (and internal temp 160°F)
• 425°F – bake for 18 to 20 minutes (and internal temp 160°F)

Be sure to flip each brat every 10 minutes; this will ensure the sides are evenly browned.

To caramelize – broil on high for a few minutes.

Keep in mind all ovens may vary based on how the temperature of each appliance is calibrated. So we recommend checking the temperate of the meat 5 minutes before recommended cook time is over to be on the safe side. Read about how to calibrate an oven.

How long to cook brats in the oven

Cook brats for 18 to 20 minutes total in the oven when baking at 425°F. Bake for 10 minutes on the first side and 8 to 10 minutes on the second side. Be sure the brats reach an internal temperature of 160°F.

According to the USDA, beef and pork brats need to reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit, or 71.1 °C. (For chicken or turkey, cook to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.)

Note: at lower oven temperatures, you’ll need to cook the brats for longer; see the guide above.

How to cook frozen brats in the oven

Frozen brats will take almost double the time compared to raw bratwurst. At 425°F, bake brats for 35 to 40 minutes. Because all ovens can cook differently, start checking the brats at 30 minutes to avoid overcooking.

When cooking brats from frozen without thawing first, your brats will tend to look more roasted and caramelized on the outside because of the longer cook time. But if they are not caramelized to your liking, you can still broil them on high for a few minutes.

How to cook beer brats in the oven

There are various ways to enjoy beer brats cooked in the oven. Here are three common ways to prepare them:

1. Beer brats
2. Marinated beer brats
3. Braised beer brats

#1 Beer brats – you can find beer-infused brats at your local grocery store or market, and many meat shops will also have selections of beer bratwurst. Prepare as directed here.

#2 Marinated beer brats – use original bratwurst and your favorite beer (traditionally, pilsners are used for beer brats) and marinate your bratwurst for 6 to 12 hours in the refrigerator. Then bake in the oven using the same process as regular uncooked brats – jump to the full recipe here.

#3 Braised beer brats – use a baking pan or casserole dish, add sliced onions and garlic drizzled with olive oil, then top with brats and enough beer so the sausages are partly covered with beer (not submerged). Cover with foil and cook for 30 minutes to start. Flip and return to the oven and cook uncovered for another 25 to 30 minutes or until the brats reach an internal temperature of 160°F. To caramelize, broil on high for a few minutes and return them to the warm beer bath.

What to Serve with Brats

There’s no better way to enjoy a delicious grilled brat than with the perfect side dish. But what are the best side dishes for brats? Here are some of our favorites:

• Mustard or German potato salad
• Sauerkraut
• Sauteed onions
• Peppers and onions
• Fried cabbage
• Potato pancakes
• Lettuce salads
• Potato wedges
• Baked potatoes
• Roasted potatoes
• Sweet potato fries
• Potato chips and dip

Wondering what to serve on your bratwurst? Here are delicious bratwurst topping ideas.

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Final Thoughts

You’ll love cooking brats in the oven, it’s a super-easy way to make them, and they turn out delicious every time. If you’re looking for an easy weeknight meal or something to serve at your next party, give bratwurst in the oven a try.

More Delicious Oven-Baked Recipes

• How to make meatballs in the oven
• How to cook frozen chicken in the oven + 4 other simple ways
• 7 methods to prepare asparagus from frozen (including baking in the oven)

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How to Bake Brats in the Oven (Easy Oven Cooked Brats!)