{"id":1054,"date":"2022-03-18T11:28:56","date_gmt":"2022-03-18T11:28:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pitmastercentral.com\/?p=1054"},"modified":"2023-09-22T08:38:52","modified_gmt":"2023-09-22T08:38:52","slug":"how-to-know-when-brats-are-done","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmastercentral.com\/how-to-know-when-brats-are-done\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Know When Brats Are Done? A Simple Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Brats are done when their internal temperature reads 160\u00b0F. Use a good instant-read thermometer to check their temp. If you\u2019re cooking a batch of brats on the grill, it\u2019s a good idea to temp each brat individually – grills have hot spots, and cooking rates can vary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m from the Midwest, so I know a thing or two about brats. I cook brats at least once a week and pretty much every Saturday and Sunday in the fall for football tailgates. Brats and the Midwest go together like pulled pork and Carolina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this post, I will talk about the internal temperature of a perfectly cooked bratwurst, various tests you can run that hint at doneness, and drop some recipes<\/a> for the best-ever brats. Let’s get our brat on!<\/p>\n\n\n

\"How<\/figure>\n\n\n

How to Know When Brats Are Fully Cooked?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The best way to know that brats are fully cooked is by checking their temperature with an instant-read thermometer. <\/strong>160\u00b0F is the temp you\u2019re shooting for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You have probably heard lots of advice on how to know if brats are done simply by looking at them. While some of these tips have merit, the only way to know that these German-style sausages are fully cooked is to check the internal temperature. <\/strong>If you\u2019re an aspiring home chef or pit boss, a good thermometer is your best friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wait until you think the German sausage is cooked all the way through before checking the temperature. Then you will not have to poke the sausage quite so much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, in case you were wondering:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do you know when brats are done on the grill?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The same answer applies! Use a thermometer to check their temperature, whether grilled or cooked in beer. Again, grills have hot spots. Temp every brat before pulling them from the heat.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Happens If You Eat Undercooked Bratwurst?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The main concern here, of course, is food poisoning<\/strong>. You can get sick from undercooked bratwurst. There are a number of bacteria<\/a> in pork that can cause illness if your pork isn\u2019t fully cooked. Eating undercooked pork isn’t a chance that you want to take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can You Overcook Brats?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yes, leaving the sausages over heat for too long will lead to them being overcooked. This will cause them to dry out. No one likes dry brats! Track the temp and pull the brats from the heat at 160\u00b0F. If the sausages get too overcooked, they can burn and char, causing them to taste bitter.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Grilled<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

How Long Do Brats Take to Cook?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This depends on your cooking method as well as the temperature at which they are being prepared. Some brats are also bigger than others. Let me offer up some estimates:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are grilling brats or cooking them on a stovetop, then they will take a total of around 16 to 24 minutes to cook over medium heat (300\u00b0F – 350\u00b0F). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s best to cook brats over medium temperatures. <\/strong>They\u2019re oozing with fat. That fat can drip out and cause flare-ups. Medium cooking temperatures help mitigate this risk. Having a squirt bottle filled with water to spray down any flames and flare-ups is a good idea.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips for Checking Doneness Without a Thermometer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I know that some people don’t have a meat thermometer – but I would highly recommend getting one<\/strong>. The only way to truly know your brats are safe to eat is by checking their interior temperature.<\/strong> You don\u2019t need a Thermapen (although they\u2019re nice). A decent $20 thermometer is fine! They come in handy when cooking, grilling, or roasting almost any kind of meat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, here are the tests that you can use to determine if the brats are done:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Wiggle Test<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As the bratwursts cook, they firm up and become less tender. When they are nearing the end of the cooking process, pick up a brat – with tongs, of course – and wiggle it up and down. If there is only a slight bounce to it, then it is probably done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Touch Test<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Here, you follow a method that is similar to that of checking the doneness of a steak. Touch your thumb to your pinky and hold it there. Now, with the fingers of your other hand, feel the flesh beneath your thumb and take note of the level of firmness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next, press a finger against the bratwurst. If it feels similarly firm, then it is close to being done or is done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, the only way to ensure your brats are fully cooked is by using a meat thermometer. <\/strong>Visual and touch cues are merely indicators of doneness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Cook Bratwurst?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are many different ways to prepare brats. Here are two of my favorite ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Grill Brats?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Start off the grilling process by preheating the grill. Set the temperature to 350\u00b0F and let the grill heat up. The key here is to cook the brats on medium heat. The last thing that you want is to go too hot or too fast – these sausages are best when grilled slowly. All the fat in brats can cause flare-ups. Combat this by cooking over medium heat.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the meantime, brush the brats evenly in cooking oil. Use a basting brush. I use vegetable oil, but any cooking oil will do the trick. It makes the casing crispy. Just don\u2019t tell the Puritans in Wisconsin that I do this. (They don\u2019t brush brats in oil over there. Go figure.) Wipe the cooking grate with a paper towel soaked in vegetable oil. Use tongs to hold the paper towel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the grill is ready, place the brats on the cooking grate – your grill should make a nice sizzling sound. Make sure to leave enough space between each sausage. This way, they will cook more evenly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turn the brats every 4 to 6 minutes per side. Turning more frequently won\u2019t hurt. After 16 to 24 minutes, they will be done – or close to it. Check the temperature at this point. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Grilled<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Lid Up or Down – What’s the Verdict?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I leave the lid down when cooking brats.<\/strong> I find it\u2019s easier to maintain medium heat with the lid down. If you like the lid up and can control the cooking temperatures, more power to you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cooking Brats on a Stovetop<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For this recipe, you will require the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n