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.
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.