Learn how to cook brats on the stove in a few simple steps. In this recipe, we will show you how to boil the brats first to ensure they are fully cooked and juicy on the inside, then use a grill pan on the stove to give them a delicious char and crispy texture on the outside.
This cooking method is a great way to achieve that classic grilled brat flavor, even if you don’t have access to an outdoor grill. Whether you’re cooking for a summer BBQ or a cozy winter meal, these brats are sure to be a hit.
Other grill favorites that you can make indoors include our Broiling Burgers, Broiled Flank Steak, Beef Tenderloin Recipe and Steakhouse Baked Potato. Add these recipes along with stovetop brats to the menu rotation anytime!

We enjoy summertime grilling and find many recipes hitting the grill as soon as weather allows. From roasted garlic, steaks and even spaghetti squash, we use our grill as much as possible.
Now with this stovetop brats recipe, we don’t have to compromise one of our favorite grill meals as rainy days hit and the weather turns cold. We cannot wait for you to learn how to cook bratwurst indoors!
Brats are the perfect party food or weeknight dinner meal. Serve alongside a dipping sauce or stuffed in a bun topped with everything from sauerkraut, grilled onions or coleslaw. Keep reading for a list of the best sides to serve with brats.
If you enjoy pan fry brats, you’ll want to check out Brats in Air Fryer and Brats In The Oven for two more easy indoor cooking methods.
Table of Contents
Tips for Cooking Brats
- Keep warm by storing in a crockpot, foil container or on warm in the oven.
- Cook a variety of flavors (bacon and cheddar, jalapeno and cheddar, garlic or spicy brats), especially if you are planning to feed a large crowd.
- Do not pierce before cooking. This will release all the juice and flavor.
- Swap with kielbasa or Italian sausage if brats aren’t available.
- Thaw overnight in the fridge or place the frozen brats in a tightly sealed plastic bag then fill your empty sink with cold water. Take your plastic bag with brats and immerse into the sink full of water. Set a timer and change out the water every half hour to keep it nice and cold.
- Once cooked, let rest for 3-5 minutes to prevent losing all the juices. Slice the sausages to serve to younger kids with a dipping sauce to make it easier to eat.
Ingredients
- 1 package fresh brats
Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.
How To Make
Add the brats to the stockpot. Fill the pot with water, covering the brats by at least 1 inch of water. Cover and bring to a boil.
Once boiling, remove the lid and turn the heat down to medium. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the brats and place them onto a paper towel lined plate.
Heat the grill pan over medium heat. Place the brats onto the hot grill pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes, flip then cook an additional 3-4 minutes.
Serve as is or on a bun with your favorite toppings.
Serving Suggestions
Some would say that brats aren’t complete without mustard but there are many other toppings to pick for your brat and bun! From sauteed peppers and onions to pickle spears and relish, you could also add coleslaw, sauerkraut or chili.
Of course, you can’t forget about all the amazing side dishes to pair with brats. Keep things simple with sliced vegetables and potato chips or a opt for a homemade side like Dairy Free Deviled Eggs, Broccoli Salad without Mayo, Brown Sugar Baked Beans, Gluten Free Potato Salad, and Gluten Free Pasta Salad.
Serving brats with a side is the best way to offer a heartier meal that everyone is sure to enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
It takes under 30 minutes to cook brats on the stove when fresh. It can be helpful to have a meat thermometer ready to temp the brats since every brand and stovetop differs. The brat internal temperature you are aiming for is 165°F before serving.
Once the water is boiling, only simmer for 10 minutes. Leaving the brats in the boiling water longer can result in overcooked brats or the casing to split causing the juices to seep into the water.
Yes! Boiling helps to fully cook the inside of the brats before they are seared on the grill pan for that delicious charred texture.
We use a grill pan; however, a skillet or cast iron pan also work if you aren’t looking for grill marks.
You can cook as many brats as your pan will hold without the brats being stacked or touching.
Kids In The Kitchen
Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.
- Pick a flavored brat such as bacon and cheddar or jalapeno and cheddar for more flavor. Always read labels before purchasing.
- Insert a meat thermometer into the center of the brat to temp at 165°F before serving.
- Do not poke a hole in the casing of the brats before cooking. The end result will be an overcooked sausage without flavor.
Storing Leftover Brats
In the fridge: Place leftovers in a covered container and store for up to 3 days in the fridge.
In the freezer: Add to a Ziploc bag, stasher bag or freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge then use within 3 days.
Reheating Instructions
Microwave: Brats can be reheated by placing in a microwave safe bowl with a splash of water to heat in 30-second increments until hot.
Skillet: Add sliced brats to a pan over low heat until heated through.
Leftovers can be enjoyed with a sauce or added to pasta dishes, on top of a pizza, in a Mug Pizza, served with Long Grain White Rice or mixed with Roasted Broccoli and Carrots for a tasty meal.
More Meals Using Sausage
- Chicken Sausage Skillet
- Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies
- Stuffed Pepper Soup with Sausage
- Gluten-Free Sausage Cheese Balls
- Sausage Mac and Cheese
- Chicken Sausage Soup
- Chicken Sausage Pasta
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
How To Cook Brats On The Stove
Ingredients
- 1 package fresh brats
Instructions
- Bring the brats and water to a boil. Add the brats to the stockpot. Fill the pot with water, covering the brats by at least 1 inch of water. Cover and bring to a boil.1 package fresh brats
- Simmer. Once boiling, remove the lid and turn the heat down to medium. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the brats and place them onto a paper towel lined plate.
- Grill. Heat the grill pan over medium heat. Place the brats onto the hot grill pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes, flip then cook an additional 3-4 minutes.
- Serve. Serve as is or on a bun with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Keep warm by storing in a crockpot, foil container or on warm in the oven.
- Cook a variety of flavors (bacon and cheddar, jalapeno and cheddar, garlic or spicy brats), especially if you are planning to feed a large crowd.
- Do not pierce before cooking. This will release all the juice and flavor.
- Swap with kielbasa or Italian sausage if brats aren’t available.
- Thaw overnight in the fridge or place the frozen brats in a tightly sealed plastic bag then fill your empty sink with cold water. Take your plastic bag with brats and immerse into the sink full of water. Set a timer and change out the water every half hour to keep it nice and cold.
- Once cooked, let rest for 3-5 minutes to prevent losing all the juices. Slice the sausages to serve to younger kids with a dipping sauce to make it easier to eat.
Nutrition
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