Need some delicious sides for your next barbecue? If you’re cooking up brats, we’ve got 30+ of the best bratwurst side dishes in this recipe collection!
Bratwurst is a popular grilling choice that’s great for backyard BBQs, beach trips, and weeknight dinners alike. Its’ delicious and savory taste is sure to please a crowd!
We love making grilled bratwurst. However, bratwurst alone cannot make a meal. To fully savor your bratwurst barbecue or dinner you’ll need side dishes that enhance the flavors without overshadowing the main attraction.
In this recipe collection, I’ve selected some of the best side dishes to serve with bratwurst.
From simple fruit salad and creamy paprika pasta to hearty broccoli crunch salad and tangy summer slaw, these sides are sure to fill you up.
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🌭 Best way to cook bratwurst
There are several different ways to cook bratwurst. Here are the top three methods.
- GRILLING – Our favorite method is grilling bratwurst. Grilling is a popular method That results in a smoky flavor and crispy exterior. This method allows for easy temperature control, preventing the brats from becoming too dry. However, grilling can sometimes lead to uneven cooking if the heat distribution is not consistent.
2. PAN-FRYING – Pan frying bratwurst is another effective approach. This method results in juicy and flavorful brats with a caramelized crust. It’s convenient for indoor cooking and doesn’t require much prep work. The downside is that it can be messy, with splattering grease, and requires constant attention to prevent burning.
3. BOILING – Boiling bratwurst before a quick sear is a third method. This method ensures the sausages are fully cooked and retaining moisture. This technique minimizes the risk of undercooking and can infuse additional flavors if boiled in beer or broth. However, it can result in a softer texture compared to grilling or frying and may require extra steps for a desired crispy finish.
🍷 Wine pairings for bratwurst
The wine that you choose to pair with bratwurst will often depend on the side dishes that you also choose to serve with it. Here are two examples based on different side dishes: in one, you would choose a red wine, and in the other you would pair bratwurst with a white wine.
If serving with a potato salad: A light, fruity Pinot Noir pairs well with the creamy, savory notes of potato salad. The wine’s red fruit flavors and subtle earthiness enhance the bratwurst without overwhelming the dish.
Served with cabbage: A good white wine pairing for bratwurst and cabbage is a medium-bodied Gewürztraminer. This aromatic white wine has a touch of sweetness and spiciness that complements the savory and slightly tangy flavors of the cabbage. Its acidity balances the richness of the bratwurst, making it a harmonious match for the dish.
Bratwurst is a delicious sausage that can be matched with a variety of side dishes to make a delightful meal. Whether you opt for accompaniments like sauerkraut and potato salad, or venture into options such as slaw or German potato salad, you’re sure to find the ideal side for your bratwurst in this recipe collection!
30+ best bratwurst side dishes
Best Side Dishes for Bratwurst
This is a delicious vegetable side dish that goes well with any meal and can be made in less than 20 minutes.
If you like cabbage, you'll love this recipe! it is easy-to-follow. making it a great recipe for Instant Pot beginners too!
This Italian Bowtie Pasta Salad is a hearty side dish that's full of flavor and easy to make! It's a great make-ahead dish for any family gatherings or dinner.
They're so hearty and satisfying. And you can create a different kind of pasta salad to pair well with almost any main course.
This broccoli salad recipe is fast and easy to make. A delicious and nutritious side dish or lunch!
This easy broccoli crunch salad recipe is packed with nourishing, healthy vegetables and satisfying crunch with every bite.
This popular copycat recipe is easy to make at home and makes a flavorful rice that's a great side dish for any meal.
The fresh cilantro and fresh lime brightens up the earthiness of the brown rice, making it the perfect side dish for so many meals.
Easy Elote Dip is a flavorful Mexican street corn recipe that is easy to make in just 15 minutes. Perfect as a side dish or appetizer!
This delicious dip can be served warm or cold. It's wonderful to serve with tortilla chips, flatbread, or nacho chips.
This viral TikTok air fryer corn ribs recipe is packed with big flavors. These corn ribs are delicious when served at any barbecue, picnic, party, or any dinner!
Enjoy these air fryer corn ribs with a glass of unoaked Chardonnay, crisp Sauvignon Blanc, or dry Riesling.
Air Fryer Broccoli is a quick, easy, nutritious side dish. With the Ninja Foodi or an air fryer, you can whip up delicious, healthy food in minutes!
Broccoli is packed with nutrients and antioxidants that help support good health. Broccoli is low in calories, and a good source of fiber and protein.
Grilled Asparagus in Foil is a healthy, delicious summer side dish that goes well with any BBQ, picnic, lunch or dinner!
If you're looking for a healthy, delicious summer side dish to go along with any of those mains, you'll love making Grilled Asparagus in Foil!
Make these frozen onion rings in the air fryer! They are inexpensive, quick, easy, delicious and perfect for appetizer, side dish, snack, or Game Day food.
And while these quick snacks are definitely not diet food, most fresh onion rings and frozen onion rings are still better-for-you than what you'd find at a fast-food restaurant.
Baby Potato Salad with Bacon is a tangy, delicious side dish perfect for picnics, potlucks, and any weeknight dinner. It's easy to make in under 30 minutes!
This potato salad with bacon is great for picnics, parties, or Sunday night family suppers. It's actually on the lighter side of potato salads, and as a bonus, it's insanely fantastic to saute and serve up with breakfast the next day.
This simple fruit salad is easy to make and delivers delicious fresh flavors. This is a bright and light side dish to serve at any gathering, but especially at picnics, barbecues, and potlucks!
Summer Slaw with Corn, Peaches, and Tomatoes is the perfect summer side dish! The best fruits and vegetables of the season come together in this colorful, crunchy slaw.
Making this summer slaw couldn't be easier! The majority of the work is just in chopping up the veggies.
This Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes recipe is a super rich and creamy mashed potato dish done all in one pot, making prep, cooking, and cleanup a breeze.
Feel free to add any of your favorite potato toppings like sour cream, green onions, bacon, or cheddar cheese to this mashed potato recipe.
These Instant Pot Green Beans are the perfect, flavorful side dish to go along with almost any meal!
This simple side dish is a quick and easy recipe that goes so well with almost any main dish.
This easy Asian Carrot Cucumber Salad is simple to make in 15 minutes and is a great side dish for any meal!
This is a great make-ahead salad: simply prep the crunchy veggies and make the sauce, then store each separately in the fridge. It's the perfect side dish to complete any meal. Or, enjoy it as a quick, healthy, delicious lunch.
Filipino Macaroni Salad is a classic traditional side dish that is often prepared for almost any Filipino gathering.
It's especially a staple at Christmas time! This sweet pasta salad with crunchy vegetables is easy to make and a great make-ahead dish.
This Creamy Paprika Pasta recipe can be made in just 20 minutes! It's a delicious main vegetarian pasta dish that can also be served as a side dish.
This easy pasta recipe is a fantastic plant-based pasta that's delicious as the main meal, or as a side dish. It's amazing because:
This is the easiest pan-fried squash and zucchini and you are going to love how quickly it comes together. Zucchini and squash are such versatile vegetables that pair well with a plethora of dishes.
This easy sautéed zucchini and squash recipe is one of my favorites to make. It’s low-calorie, versatile, and packed with nutrients.
This ultimate potato salad is a classic potato salad that includes hard boiled eggs, crunchy celery, onion, and more tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing! Perfect for any BBQ, potluck, picnic, or summer outing!
This sauerkraut is also delicious with herbs or spices added in, such as caraway seeds, thyme, or chives.
Serve it as a side dish (cold or hot). It's also pretty delicious stirred into a veggie pasta sauce, or served with a slice of buttered rye bread.
The vinegar-based potato salad you love, but without bacon and it's vegan, gluten-free, paleo, and allergy-free!
Served warm or cold, this easy side dish still packs all the zesty & smokey flavor with the help of homemade coconut bacon!
This creamy and tangy coleslaw is the perfect side dish for any meal. Made with finely chopped cabbage, carrots, and onions, and dressed in a flavorful blend of mayonnaise, buttermilk, lemon juice, sugar, and a hint of spices, this coleslaw delivers the same irresistible crunch and zest you love from KFC.
Green bean caprese salad is a twist on a classic caprese salad. This summer side dish recipe pairs well with a variety of foods and proteins, and is a fun and flavorful way to add vegetables to your meal.
Tender Brussels sprouts and sweet butternut squash are roasted to perfection. Tossed in olive oil and lightly seasoned with salt and pepper, these vegetables caramelize beautifully in the oven, creating a deliciously crisp exterior and a soft, flavorful interior.
This chopped salad is one of the quickest salads to throw together – just chop your veggies, mix in the salad dressing and you are good to go. And leftovers taste great the next day – so that is lunch easily sorted.
Creamy cauliflower mashed potatoes is a delicious low carb alternative to regular mashed potatoes. With only 5 ingredients you can enjoy a smooth and silky keto mashed cauliflower recipe. It’s the best replacement for potatoes!
These Air Fryer Baby Potatoes are super crispy on the outside, soft and creamy on the inside! They are so easy to make, just baby potatoes and your favorite seasonings to flavor them up!
You can have this oil-free and healthy side dish ready in less than 20 minutes! Naturally gluten-free, vegan, and paleo, these potatoes will be a hit!
These Smoked Baked Potatoes cook to perfection on the Traeger Pellet Grill. They only take a few minutes to prep, then smoke on high for a little over an hour until tender. Load them up with your favorite toppings for the best side dish.
Flavorful German Coleslaw Recipe side dish with vinegar, caraway seeds and oil. Easy to prepare, it enriches most main course meals with its light and wholesome flavors.
This German coleslaw is an easy to prepare low carb vegan salad side dish. The slaw is aromatic and seasoned nicely to bring out the fresh crisp slaw flavors.
Baby yukon golds smashed and roasted to perfection in a luxurious coating of velvety smooth duck fat. Topped with a zesty lemon chive dressing, this dish has incredible texture and flavor.
If your taste buds are yearning for a culinary masterpiece to grace your dinner table, look no further than this divine duck fat potatoes recipe!
These oven roasted vegetables are delicious, nutritious and super easy to prepare. Perfect in salads, as a side dish or with delicious extras, roasting vegetables can’t get easier than this.
This side dish is easy, pairs well with a variety of meals and is a crowd pleaser! The best part is that they are super easy to make and pair well with almost any main dish.
Roasted potatoes accommodate a variety of dietary restrictions since they are gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan.
This Boursin mashed potato recipe is perfect for Sunday dinner or a special occasion. Creamy potatoes with flavorful Boursin cheese. Leave the skins on for a rustic finish, plus it makes this recipe quick and easy so you can focus on your main course.
This Avocado Potato Salad is a delightful side dish, bringing together creamy avocados and perfectly cooked potatoes for a refreshing and nutritious dish.
Bursting with vibrant flavors, this recipe combines the rich, buttery texture of ripe avocados with the satisfying bite of tender potatoes
This Mediterranean quinoa salad is a delicious recipe boasting plenty of fresh herbs, vegetables, beans, and more in every delicious bite.
It’s filling, tasty and pairs wonderfully with the fresh ingredients used. It’s a versatile recipe and you can enjoy the Mediterranean quinoa salad as a side dish or as a main course.
More side dish recipes
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