Homemade Authentic German Bratwurst

Name: Bratwurst
Prep time: 120 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: German
Ingredients: 2 1/2 pound boneless pork shoulder; 12 ounces pork back fat; 2 cups of crushed ice; 1 teaspoon of mace; 32 mm natural hog casing; 1 1/2 tablespoon of salt; 1 1/2 teaspoon of white pepper; 3/4 teaspoons of black pepper; 1 teaspoon of ginger powder; 1 teaspoon of dried marjoram; 3/4 teaspoons of mustard; 1/4 teaspoon of cardamom powder; 1/4 teaspoon of cilantro (coriander); 1/4 teaspoon of crushed cumin; 1/4 cup of dried powder milk

Use this simple German bratwurst recipe to make authentic sausages that are bursting with flavor! They are more than worth the time and effort and can enhance any dining experience!

German Cuisine

September 27, 2021

Difficulty Medium

Servings 8 people

Preparation 120 mins

Cooking 0 mins

Total 120 mins

Recipe Contents

Ingredients Directions Nutrition Equipments Tips

Ingredients

1 1/2 tablespoon of salt
1 1/2 teaspoon of white pepper
3/4 teaspoons of black pepper
1 teaspoon of ginger powder
1 teaspoon of dried marjoram
3/4 teaspoons of mustard
1/4 teaspoon of cardamom powder
1/4 teaspoon of cilantro (coriander)
1/4 teaspoon of crushed cumin
1/4 cup of dried powder milk
2 1/2 pound boneless pork shoulder
12 ounces pork back fat
2 cups of crushed ice
1 teaspoon of mace
32 mm natural hog casing

Directions

Add the diced pork and fat to the freezer for 45 minutes, so they reach a temperature of 32°F.
Take them out once 45 minutes have passed and add them to a bowl along with 2 cups of crushed ice. Use a meat grinder and grind the mixture through a 1/4 inch (6mm) die. Work quickly and keep the meat cold by grinding the meat into a bowl set on top of an ice bath.
Grind half of the already ground meat mixture a second time and then transfer all the ground meat to the refrigerator.
As the meat chills, work on assembling your spice mixture. As the meat cools, try to gather your spice mix. Combine all the spices in a small bowl.
Remove the meat from the refrigerator and transfer it to a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Add in dry milk powder and the previously prepared spice mix.
Process the meat in the stand mixer until threads start to appear in the meat (3-4 minutes), and then add the meat back into the refrigerator so you can prepare the casings.
Thread the hog casings into the sausage stuffer. Add the meat mix to the sausage stuffer and fill the casings while avoiding over-stuffing and air gaps.
Twist the stuffed sausages into links and prick any air bubbles present in the links using a sausage pricker.
Poach these sausages gently in lightly salted water to make authentic German bratwursts. Store tightly wrapped in the fridge for up to a week or grill/fry immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 Bratwurst

Serves 8

Amount Per Serving

Calories421

% Daily Value*

Protein 28 g56%

Total Fat 34 g43.6%

Cholesterol 88 mg29.3%

Sodium 993 mg43.2%

Potassium 508 mg10.8%

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Tips

High-quality sausage making equipment is key to making good sausages. Don't compromise on it if sausage making is something you're interested in doing long-term.
This Bratwurst recipe uses ground mace to get that traditional German flavor, but you can also use nutmeg if required.
If desired, you can also substitute part veal for pork or use this Bratwurst recipe to make Beef bratwursts instead.
The meat should be constantly cold when making German Bratwurst to prevent the fat from getting too soft. You should be able to see the specks of fat between the lean meat in the ground mixture.
When processing the meat in the stand mixer, take some into your hand and pull apart using your fingers. Then, move on to the next step once you can see the tiny threads pulling apart.
Add some ice water if the meat mixture feels too dry and stiff after processing in the stand mixer.
Fry a bit of your sausage mixture to taste it before adding it to the casing and adjust seasoning as required.
This Bratwurst recipe yields about 10 bratwursts, depending on the size and diameter of the casings used. Chill the bratwursts overnight before cooking for best results.

Rate This Recipe

As far as German fried food goes, bratwurst is the most popular. These distinctive German sausages are made with finely ground pork or beef and seasoned with several different spices; the most notable ones are ground mace, nutmeg, and marjoram.

They're a family favorite that can be enjoyed as breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a snack, depending on what you pair them with, but they are equally delicious either way.

Equipment for this recipe

Mixing Bowls

Stand Mixer

Ice Cube Tray

Measuring Cup

What is Bratwurst?

A bratwurst is a special type of fresh German sausage made with pork, veal, or beef and various seasonings. Common German Bratwurst ingredients include minced meat, onions, dried marjoram, ground ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, and mustard powder.

How to Cook Bratwurst?

The many ways to cook German Bratwurst are described below.

Bake: Cook these sausages in the oven by preheating to 400°F and baking them in a single layer on a parchment paper lined sheet pan for about 15 minutes. Flip and bake for another 10-15 minutes and enjoy.
Boil: Brats should be boiled for about 10 minutes at low heat in a mixture of beer, sliced onions, and butter. Grill or fry for a couple of minutes to finish up.
Grill: To make your bratwursts exclusively in the grill, preheat to 250°F and cook for 15-18 minutes on the indirect side of the grill while flipping occasionally. Then transfer to direct heat and grill for 1-2 minutes.
Fry: Heat a frying pan over medium heat with a tablespoon of oil or butter. Then add the brats and cover, cooking each side for about 5 minutes until well-browned.

What to Serve with Bratwurst?

Serve these tasty German sausages in crusty rolls with German mustard for the authentic German street food experience. Recipes with bratwurst and potatoes in the form of French fries, potato salad, and herbed potatoes are also quite popular.

Here are some our delicious recipes that you can serve with Bratwurst:

How to Store Bratwurst?

This Bratwurst recipe can be stored in the refrigerator for about 5 days after cooking. To store it for longer, flash freeze the cooked and cooled bratwurst before adding them to a freezer bag and sealing after removing excess air. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Recipe byPetite Gourmets