Brat Kabobs – Beer braised bratwurst skewered with your favorite vegetables and a bacon onion dipping sauce to make them utterly exquisite.
Today I have a guest blogger, Debra from Bowl Me Over. We’ve decided to do a blog post swap, so today she’s featured here and my recipe will be featured on her site Tuesday. I absolutely love Debra’s recipes. Hope you enjoy this one as much as I have. Without further ado, here’s Debra….
I am honored to do a blog swap with my friend Michelle. I’ve been following The Complete Savorist for nearly a year – Michelle and I been blogging about the same length of time and am so impressed by her creativity and flare for food! I’ve also enjoyed following her culinary journey as she has quite the story to tell! Michelle, thank you for the opportunity to share this recipe on your blog!
I got to thinking about what I’d like to make and after lots of thought decided upon Sausage & Veggie Kabobs with a Bacon Onion Sauce! Is that a mouthful? Well just wait until you try it!
First you’ll start with a six pack of beer and by making some brats – now a long time ago I used to live in Wisconsin. I’ve done more than my share of tailgating and always enjoy a good brat! I cook them then and now the same way. You’ll start out by braising them in beer, onions and garlic.
Pretty simple, one bottle of beer, a cup of water, one onion & and two cloves of garlic, allow to simmer on the stove – turn the brats occasionally and braise them for about 30-45 minutes until the brats are fully cooked. Remove from the heat, discard the liquid and allow them to cool.
Now it’s time to make the sauce – for this you will take six slices of thick cut bacon. Chop them into lardons and place them in 2 qt. sauce pan over medium heat to render out some of the fat. While the bacon is cooking, chop one onion & mince a clove of garlic. When the bacon has browned, drain off the fat and add the onion and garlic to the pot.
Sauté the onions & garlic until they are soft, about five minutes then add in 12 oz. bottle of beer, 1 can of chicken broth and a few more things, sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Cook this over medium heat, keep it at a nice bubble – stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. This will allow it to cook down and intensify the flavors.
Oh! And talking flavors….this is absolutely amazing! The sauce is killer! Sweet and sour with the bacon and onion….wow! At the end you’ll thicken it up with a bit of butter & flour. That’s it the sauce is done!
Now it’s time to get grilling! Use whatever your favorite vegetables are – I would recommend trying yams – bake them in the oven first so they are fork tender (don’t overcook!) because the flavors mixed with the brats is sooo good! Or you can even use baby red potatoes. That’s quite delicious also! So, mix with your favorite veg – onions, zucchini, bell peppers, etc. Skewer them up and and toss them on the grill!
Remove 1/2 cup of sauce use it to baste the kabobs as you grill. Season them lightly with salt & pepper and that’s it – when you’re done grilling, dinner is ready! In addition to the kabobs I also grilled some yellow & green squash. This is a big ol’ platter of deliciousness here!
There is enough sauce for everyone to have at least 1/2 cup each and this will make 6-8 kabobs depending upon the size of the kabobs you assemble.
Grilling up extra veggies is always good to – because you can use them for soups or stews later if there are any leftovers!
The sauce is so packed full of flavor and with the brats, veggies and potatoes it’s the most incredible combination! I hope you give this a try!
p.s. remember I said to start with a six-pack of beer? But wait, we only used two bottles? Well, I was thinking of you….the rest of that six pack is yours to share! 😀
Ingredients
Brats
- 1 package brats (I recommend Johnsonville Brats)
- 1 12 oz . bottle of beer
- 1 yellow onion cut into wedges
- 1 clove garlic chopped
- 1 cup water
Vegetables for skewering
- bell pepper
- onion
- zucchini
- mushrooms
Bacon Onion Sauce
- 6 slices thick cut bacon , cut into lardons
- 1 yellow onion , chopped
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 12 oz . bottle of beer - recommend a lager
- 1 14.5 oz . can of chicken broth
- 2 1/2 tablespoons of sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
Instructions
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If using potatoes or yams, bake the yams until they are fork tender.
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If using baby red potatoes, boil them, again until they are just fork tender. Allow to cool.
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Next braise the brats.
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Add the brats to a deep frying pan set on medium heat.
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To the brats add the beer, onion, garlic and water.
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Bring to a boil & reduce to simmer.
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Occasionally turn the brats.
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Cook them for 30-45 minutes until they are completely cooked thru. Braising them will keep them juicy and flavorful.
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While the brats are cooking prepare the vegetables for the kabobs. Cut them into equal size pieces and set aside.
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Assemble the brats and grill basting with Bacon Onion Sauce.
Bacon Onion Sauce
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Chop the bacon into lardons and place them in 2 qt. sauce pan over medium heat to render out some of the fat.
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While the bacon is cooking, chop one onion & mince a clove of garlic.
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When the bacon is brown, drain off the fat and add the onion and garlic to the pot.
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Sauté for 5 minutes or until the onion is soft.
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Add the remaining ingredients, beer, chicken broth, sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper & red pepper flakes.
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Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low or medium low - you want to keep it at a low bubble (not boil) and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Mix together the butter & flour with a fork until it is completely incorporated.
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After 15 minutes, stir it into the sauce and cook for an additional five minutes and the sauce will be complete.
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Use 1/2 cup of the sauce to baste the kabobs during grilling.
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Also serve the sauce alongside the kabobs at the table. This will make about 3 cups of sauce - plenty to share!
Recipe Notes
For the veggies, I recommend using yams or potatoes - however they need to be cooked first to fork tender.
Michelle here, I hope you loved this recipe by Debra. If so, please check her on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram.
Thank you so much for this wonderful post Debra. I appreciate your willingness to guest post on The Complete Savorist.
28 Comments
Arman @ thebigmansworld
February 23, 2015 at 1:06 amMichelle, thank you so much for having Debra on here- This recipe looks absolutely delicious- I am obsessed with brats (my favourite sausage- especially with spicy German mustard) but with a bacon sauce too? Genius.
Michelle
February 23, 2015 at 1:22 amThank you Arman! I love the brats too. The bacon sauce looks good enough to just eat by the spoonful.
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom
February 23, 2015 at 6:03 amMy husband adores brats, but I rarely make them because I am not a fan. However, with that sauce, I would have no issue eating a whole platter 🙂
Michelle
February 23, 2015 at 8:11 amAwesome Kristen! Enjoy!
Lois
February 23, 2015 at 8:31 amThis looks so good. Will be makiing it very soon. What a wonderful dinner.
Michelle
February 23, 2015 at 9:58 amThank you Lois! Hope you enjoy it.
Lauren @ Healthy Delicious
February 23, 2015 at 11:48 amThat bacon and onion sauce saunds PERFECT for brats!
Michelle
February 23, 2015 at 8:14 pmI know, she did a great job on that sauce.
Joy @ Joy Love Food
February 23, 2015 at 4:39 pmI love brats, this sounds like a wonderful combination!
Michelle
February 23, 2015 at 8:51 pmIt does sound fantastic.
Healing Tomato
February 23, 2015 at 5:54 pmThis is a truly magnificent meal. Debra always out does herself. Love her ideas and presentation.
Michelle
February 23, 2015 at 8:51 pmShe’s great, so happy she was willing to guest over here.
Sandra - The Foodie Affair
February 23, 2015 at 7:55 pmThis would be a hit at my house! Love cooking with beer. It really adds a great flavor to foods!
Michelle
February 23, 2015 at 8:58 pmI love cooking with beer too, hope you enjoy this.
Bratwurst Kabobs with Bacon Onion Sauce - Bowl Me OverBowl Me Over
February 23, 2015 at 8:25 pm[…] Bratwurst Kabobs with Bacon Onion Sauce…does that entice you? Then, head on over to The Complete Savorist page! I’m guest blogging today and you can get the recipe and read all about it by clicking here. […]
Jamie @ Coffee With Us 3
February 23, 2015 at 10:28 pmThis looks simply delicious!!! I love the idea of having a sauce with the kabobs, and we just love grilled veggies- great idea to us the leftovers for stews!
Michelle
February 24, 2015 at 11:14 amI can’t wait to use that sauce in anything. and the kebobs are amazing.
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February 24, 2015 at 7:52 am[…] so excited to share with you this post today! Yesterday, I offered a guest post on The Complete Savorist and today, Michelle is returning the favor! You know me….I love things in a bowl and just […]
lizzy
February 24, 2015 at 8:03 amWow I absolutely love bratwurst this recipe looks amazing with that bacon onion sauce I am def. cooking this for the boyfriend this weekend 🙂
Michelle
February 24, 2015 at 11:16 amHope you both enjoy it.
Debra @ Bowl Me Over
February 24, 2015 at 6:46 pmJust wanted to pop by and thank you again for the opportunity to guest blog! 😀
Michelle
February 25, 2015 at 10:26 amThank you! I love the post.
The Food Hunter
February 25, 2015 at 9:23 amloving the onion sauce on this
Michelle
February 25, 2015 at 10:36 amIt looks great, can’t wait to make it.
Brandy M
February 25, 2015 at 12:44 pmWe are a big brat family! This meal looks like tasty, stick to your ribs kind of meal! I love there is beer left over of me!!
Michelle
February 25, 2015 at 8:00 pmHehehe, I like your style Brandy!
Erica (@Erica's Recipes)
February 25, 2015 at 7:15 pmdelicious! great post thank you!
Michelle
February 25, 2015 at 8:00 pmThank you Erica.