What To Serve With Bratwurst

Jump to recipe

A bratwurst makes an exceptionally delicious meal whether you’re having a BBQ with friends and family or are going for a more traditional German meal.

Bratwursts are extremely easy to prepare. They are typically grilled, seared, or smoked and are known to be exploding with flavor and juices.

The savory, smoky sausage is delicious on its own but if you really want to impress, serve your bratwurst with one of these 17 mouthwatering side dishes.

Contents

17 Side Dishes To Serve With Bratwurst

Assumed to have originated in Germany, you can’t go wrong when you pair these delicious sausages with a traditional German side. If you’re not feeling the German vibe today, don’t worry, we’ve got a side for that too.

1. Sauerkraut

While the only thing German about sauerkraut is the name, it is a very popular side dish for bratwursts. Throw your bratwurst in a bun and top it with some sauerkraut for a mouthwatering meal.

Sauerkraut can be eaten hot or cold depending on what you prefer. It can even be sautéed before serving. Try sautéing it in the same skillet as your bratwurst for some incredible flavors.

2. Kartoffelsalat

For those of us that do not speak German, Kartoffelsalat is a German potato salad. Unlike American potato salad, German potato salad is served warm and there is no mayo to be found.

Kartoffelsalat has some of the same ingredients as American potato salad but is coated in a cooked mixture of eggs, water, sugar, and apple cider vinegar for a nice tangy flavor.

3. Rotkohl

Rotkohl is sweet and sour red cabbage and is a very popular German side dish that will enhance the savory flavor of your bratwurst. Its flavor is milder than sauerkraut.

While simple to make, braising the cabbage can be a little time-consuming but well worth the wait. The sugar and apples are sweet to the sour of the red wine vinegar in this beautiful side dish.

4. Kartoffelpuffer

Kartoffelpuffer is also known as potato pancakes and is very similar to a hash brown. They are another traditional German dish and can add a little crunch to your bratwurst.

Grated potatoes are mixed with onion, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and egg and fried until crispy and golden brown. Try it with a jalapeno dill sauce or sour cream sauce.

5. Spaetzle

Spaetzle is a small dumpling that is a little chewier than egg noodles. The simplest version only needs 4 ingredients: flour, salt, eggs, and milk. More complex recipes call for white pepper and ground nutmeg.

For more flavor, try mincing some bacon and cooking it in a pan. Remove the bacon and heat the cooked Spaetzle in the bacon grease. The crumbled bacon will taste great on top or with your bratwurst.

6. Cabbage/Fried Cabbage

If you love cabbage but sauerkraut is a little too tangy for your taste buds, try cabbage with a little butter, salt, and pepper for a much milder, yet equally delicious flavor.

You can sauté it in butter, fry it in oil, or pressure cook it in your instant pot with some chicken broth. Add some sweetness by sprinkling in some brown sugar, or make it savory with bacon, onion, and garlic.

7. Grilled Mushrooms

Grilled mushrooms make a great side for grilled bratwursts. There are so many varieties of mushrooms but some of the best for brats are white mushrooms, baby portabella, or portabella mushrooms.

You can pack them with butter, garlic, and your favorite seasonings inside tin foil and place them right on the grill. Portabella mushrooms can be buttered, seasoned, and placed right on the grill.

8. Caramelized/Grilled onions

I loved grilled onions! Onions can be packed up in tin foil with butter, garlic, and seasoning of your choice. If you love both mushrooms and onions, make a foil back of both.

If you prefer your onions caramelized, the stovetop will be your best bet. It’s as easy as using a little butter or olive oil and cooking the onions until they are a beautiful caramel brown and serving them right on top of your bratwurst.

9. Vegetable kabobs

Kabobs are not only delicious, but they are also so much fun to make and eat. There are so many options when it comes to making kabobs, you are sure to make everyone at the table happy.

Big chunks of vegetables cook beautifully on the grill. Popular choices are mushrooms, red onion, cherry tomatoes, yellow squash, zucchini, and small corn on the cob.

10. Baked Beans

If you’re having a BBQ, baked beans are a must-have and they go great with bratwursts. Quick and easy from a can or homemade, you can’t go wrong with baked beans.

If you’re looking to add some flavor, try adding some bacon for some extra savory flavor, brown sugar for some sweetness, or jalapenos for some spice.

11. Homemade potato chips

Potato chips make a great side for bratwursts. They add some nice texture to your meal. If you really want to wow, try homemade potato chips.

Homemade potato chips can be customized any way you like. You can go simple and add some parmesan cheese, or mix up a myriad of spices to get some bold flavor.

12. Cheese Fries

French fries are pretty good but cheese fries are amazing! You can customize cheese fries to your tastes by using your favorite cheeses. Try cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack, Monterey jack, or a combination of two.

Take them to the next level by adding some toppings. Some popular toppings are jalapenos, olives, tomatoes, bacon, green onions, green chilies, chives, and chopped avocado.

13. Corn On The Cob

Corn on the cob is a super side that goes great with almost anything. Bratwursts are no exception. Sweet, juicy, and crunchy, corn on the cob is an easy yet tasty side.

Dress up simple corn on the cob by adding special seasonings. For a sweet and spicy side, blend butter, honey, and cayenne pepper. For an easy upgrade, slather it with butter and sprinkle it with parmesan cheese.

14. Cucumber coleslaw

If you’re looking for a more refreshing side, then look no further. Cucumber coleslaw is a fun, light, colorful, and refreshing side dish that can lighten up a hearty meal of bratwursts.

Loaded with fresh herbs, cucumber coleslaw is sure to be a hit. There are various recipes out there so choose your favorite or make your own recipe by combining your favorite aspects of a few.

15. Broccoli and apple salad

Who knew broccoli and apples went together. Fruit, vegetables, and nuts combine to make this incredible and healthy side to serve with your bratwursts.

Broccoli and apple salad are loaded with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein. Topped with a sweet and creamy dressing, even your pickiest eaters will be asking for more.

16. Applesauce

You’ve heard of pork chops and applesauce so why not bratwursts and applesauce. It makes a great side when you’re in a hurry but still want a delicious meal.

If time allows, definitely go for homemade applesauce. All you need is apples, water, sugar, cinnamon, and a little bit of time. Making it at home allows you to get the consistency you prefer be it smooth or chunky.

17. Watermelon Salad

Nothing says summer like watermelon so how about trying a watermelon salad. Full of fresh ingredients, watermelon salad is a very refreshing side that can serve as a nice contrast to bratwursts.

Watermelon, cucumber, fresh mint and feta cheese topped with olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper makes a bursting flavor side. This eye-catching side will impress.

Wrap-Up

Searching for sides to serve with your bratwursts has never been easier. Choosing one of these 17 mouthwatering side dishes is a little bit harder.

Traditional German sides, staple BBQ sides, and refreshing fruit and veggie sides all go great with bratwursts. From Kartoffelsalat and Rotkohl to baked beans, roasted vegetables, or watermelon salad, this list has something for everyone.

Related posts:

  1. What to Serve With Meatballs
  2. What to Serve With Meatloaf
  3. 17 Best Chinese Side Dishes
  4. What To Serve With Hummus

Leave a Reply