Easy Bratwurst and Sauerkraut Skillet Dinner: Best 20-Minute Recipe
A quick and delicious one-pan dinner featuring juicy bratwurst and caramelized sauerkraut, ready in just 20 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a comforting meal that will surprise even skeptics.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: German
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 bratwurst links (about 1 pound)
- 14–16 ounces sauerkraut, drained
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup apple juice or apple cider
- 1 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the bratwurst: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil or butter. Place bratwurst links in the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until deeply browned. Remove and set aside.
- Cook the onion: Reduce heat to medium and add sliced onion to the same skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes, scraping up browned bits, until softened and golden.
- Add garlic and caraway seeds: Stir in minced garlic and caraway seeds. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add sauerkraut and apple juice: Stir in drained sauerkraut and apple juice, scraping up any remaining browned bits. Spread into an even layer and nestle the bratwurst back into the pan.
- Cover and simmer: Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and cook for 10-12 minutes until bratwurst is cooked through (internal temperature of 160°F).
- Uncover and crisp: Remove lid, increase heat to medium-high, and cook for 2-3 minutes until sauerkraut has crispy edges.
- Rest and serve: Remove from heat and let rest for 2 minutes. Slice bratwurst on a diagonal or serve whole with sauerkraut. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
Don’t skip browning the bratwurst—it creates a flavor foundation. Drain but don’t rinse the sauerkraut to retain tanginess. Let the skillet rest for 2 minutes before serving. For a beer brat version, replace apple juice with lager or pilsner. For low-carb, use chicken broth instead of apple juice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bratwurst link wit
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 1200
- Fat: 30
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 20
Keywords: bratwurst, sauerkraut, skillet dinner, quick dinner, one-pan meal, weeknight dinner, German recipe, 20-minute meal