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🌭 Smoked Brats made easy! Slow-cooked on the smoker for bold flavor and tender bites. Perfect for cookouts, tailgates, or weeknight dinners! 🔥
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There’s something magical about grilling on a slow weekend, especially when the smoker is involved. Smoked bratwurst sausage is one of those easy wins that brings big flavor with almost zero effort. I made this smoked brats recipe last summer for a small backyard get-together, and now it’s become a regular request for every cookout. Juicy, perfectly smoky, and hands-off – this smoked bratwurst is the ultimate no-fuss grilling option.
Whether you’re hosting a BBQ or just want to meal prep some killer sausage for the week, this smoked brats recipe is one to keep in your back pocket.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Just 2 minutes of prep
- Slow-smoked for deep, bold flavor
- Perfect for BBQs, tailgates, or easy dinners
- Great for leftovers – and totally freezer-friendly
🛒 Ingredients & Substitutions
- bratwurst sausage – use any sausage variety like beer brats, cheddar brats, spicy Italian, or even chicken sausage. Adjust cook time as needed.
✨ Variations
- Use applewood, hickory, or cherry wood chips for different smoke profiles
- Serve in toasted buns with grilled onions and mustard
- Add to mac and cheese, pasta salad, or a charcuterie board
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🔥 Tips
- Monitor internal temp of your smoked brats for perfect doneness – aim for 165°F
- Let the sausage rest before slicing to retain juiciness
- Make extra and reheat on the grill or in the air fryer for quick meals later
❓ FAQs
Yes, just thaw them fully before smoking for even cooking.
Apple, hickory, or mesquite are great options depending on the flavor you want.
You can! Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes, flipping once.
On hoagie rolls with mustard and grilled onions, sliced into pasta or mac and cheese, add it to breakfast hash, or with baked beans, grilled corn, slaw, potato salad, and corn muffins for a full BBQ spread.
Yes, soak the chips for at least 1 hour before smoking to help them smolder slowly and infuse more flavor into the bratwurst.
Yes, just make sure they’re similar in size and adjust cook time based on the sausage variety. Always check internal temp.
No, avoid poking holes. This helps keep the juices sealed inside for a juicy smoked bratwurst.
You can add beer, apple juice, or water to a drip pan in the smoker for extra moisture and subtle flavor.
🍽️ Other Recipes You May Enjoy
Quick and Easy
Southwest Hot Dogs
Main Dish
Smoked Hot Dog Burnt Ends
Grilling and Smoker
Gutter Dogs
Quick and Easy
Sweet & Sour Hot Dogs
Smoked Brats
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Equipment
- smoker or grill set up for indirect heat
- grill-safe thermometer
- wood chips
Ingredients
- 10 bratwurst, use any type of bratwurst or sausage you like (adjust cook time for thinner links or smaller sausages)
Instructions
- Soak your preferred smoking wood in water for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat your smoker or grill to 225°F. For Big Green Egg users, set it up for indirect heat using the ConvEGGtor (legs up).
- Place the bratwurst directly on the grill grates. If using a grill, use indirect heat. For best results, insert a meat thermometer probe into one of the brats to monitor internal temperature.
- Close the lid and smoke the brats for 2 to 2½ hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove the brats from the grill and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
🥡 STORAGE
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.♨️ REHEATING
- Air Fryer: Preheat to 350°F and heat brats for 5 to 6 minutes or until warmed through.
- Skillet: Add a splash of water or broth to a skillet, cover, and reheat over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes, turning occasionally.
- Oven: Wrap in foil and bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, or until heated through.
- Microwave: Place on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second bursts until hot.
❄️ FREEZING
Freeze cooked brats in a zip-top freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.💡 TIPS FOR BEST RESULTS
- Monitor internal temperature with a thermometer to avoid overcooking.
- Try different bratwurst flavors or sausage types for variety.
- Smoke ahead of time and reheat on the grill when ready to serve.
- Serve with grilled onions, sautéed mushrooms, or a side of slaw for a full meal.
🍳 ALTERNATE COOKING METHODS
- Grill: Cook over indirect medium heat for approximately 20-25 minutes, turning occasionally, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Oven: Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes on a lined baking sheet, turning once.
- Air Fryer: Cook at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
♻️ LEFTOVERS
Slice brats and add them to breakfast potatoes, mix them into scrambled eggs, toss them with pasta, or serve them in buns with melted cheese and grilled vegetables.Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
