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Home » Vegetables and Side Dishes

What to serve with Brats

Published: Sep 6, 2022 by Bowl Me Over · Leave a Comment

Nothing says "tailgate" like some brats fresh off the grill. Juicy, savory, and full of delicious flavor, bratwursts just have a way of making your taste buds sing. However, what to serve with brats is usually not such an easy decision—until today, that is!

Click here to learn how to cook your own Beer Brats on the Grill!

Brats cooking on a fiery grill with hamburgers.
Don't these look amazing? If you're wondering what to serve with brats, keep reading!
Jump to:
  • Why brats are great for tailgating
  • What are the best brats?
  • Ways to cook brats
  • What to serve with Brats
  • Best side dishes to serve with brats
  • Serve these sides with your brats next time for a game-winning combination!

Consider this your official bratwurst cheat sheet. We'll consider not only traditional german sides but all of the different ways you can cook, serve, and enjoy your favorite type of sausage. If it has amazing flavor and will contribute to a delicious meal, it'll be on this list!

Why brats are great for tailgating

✔️ Like hot dogs, you can eat 'em standing up—forks optional.

✔️ Super easy recipe, just grill until they're done.

✔️ They don't need extravagant sides. The best things are simple!

What to serve with brats, bratwurst in bun with sauerkraut and topped with German mustard.

What are the best brats?

  • Johnsonville brats - my favorite, hands down!
  • fresh German bratwurst, readily available almost anywhere
  • fränkische bratwurst

Ways to cook brats

A brat, short for bratwurst, is basically a German version of a sausage. Pork bratwurst is the most common variation of the classic dish, but other types of meat have been used, too, like beef or veal.

This means that the best ways to cook brats are just like your favorite ways of cooking hot dogs, Salsiccia (Italian sausage), or Kielbasa (Polish sausage.)

  • On the grill
  • In a smoker
  • On a sheet pan in the oven
  • In a cast-iron skillet on the stovetop
  • On a grill pan on the stove
  • In a slow cooker, instant pot, or air fryer
  • Over an open fire

Whichever method you choose, just make sure your brats reach an internal temperature of 160 F degrees and are a nice golden brown—then serve with a great side for an absolutely perfect dish. Cheers!

What to serve with Brats

Let's get down to the "meat" of this post—that is, what to serve with our favorite tasty tailgate meat: brats!

Deviled Egg Potato Salad in blue bowl with serving spoon.
The best bratwurst side dishes!

Best side dishes to serve with brats

The perfect side dish to serve with brats is within your reach. Here are classic sides, easy sides, filling side dishes, and even some creative side dishes to accompany your bratwursts:

  • Baked potato casserole
  • BBQ baked beans
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Cabbage and onions (it's traditional!)
  • Cherry tomato and green bean salad
  • Cracker Barrel cheesy potatoes
  • Creamy cucumber salad
  • Crockpot chili
  • Cucumber salad with apple cider vinegar (non-dairy!)
  • Egg noodles with butter and onions
  • French fries
  • Fresh green beans with red pepper flakes
  • Fried cabbage and noodles
  • German fruit salad
  • "Hard-boiled" eggs in the air fryer
  • Hash browns
  • Homemade potato chips
  • Honey-mustard chopped salad
  • Mac and cheese
  • Macaroni salad
  • Olive-oil toasted ciabatta rolls
  • Pierogies
  • Potato pancakes (or, more traditional kartoffelpuffer)
  • Potato salad
  • Potatoes and veggies on the grill
  • Red smashed potatoes
  • Sandwich buns
  • Sauerkraut with caraway seeds
  • Skewered veggies
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Sweet potato fries
  • Three-bean salad
Brats on board topped with all the fixings.

What to serve on bratwursts

It wouldn't be proper to discuss what to serve with brats without discussing what to serve on them. Here are some delicious recipes and ideas for toppings:

  • Beer cheese
  • Blue cheese
  • Caramelized onions
  • Cheddar cheese slices
  • Cheddar cheese sauce
  • Diced sweet onions
  • Dijon mustard
  • Feta cheese
  • Fresh sauerkraut
  • Fresh sliced red onion
  • Grilled onions
  • Horseradish
  • Hot and sweet pickled peppers
  • Jalapenos
  • Ketchup
  • Relish
  • Sautéed mushrooms
  • Sour red cabbage
  • Spicy mustard sauce
  • Yellow mustard
Casserole dish filled with Mountain Dew Apple Dumplings.
Easy to make Mt. Dew Apple Dumplings Recipe

Desserts for tailgating

For best results, always serve dessert at a tailgate party! There's just something so satisfying about a sweet bite after a savory bratwurst. However, aim for hand-held or bite-sized treats, rather than big, clunky cakes.

  • Apple dumplings
  • Apple pie bites
  • Apple turnovers
  • Brown sugar cinnamon pastry twists
  • Candy
  • Chocolate chip cookies
  • Cracker Barrel fried apples
  • Fruit-filled streudel
  • German-coconut macaroons
  • German chocolate cupcakes
  • Homemade applesauce
  • Homemade buckeyes
  • Linzer cookies
  • Pecan sandies
  • Trail mix

Beverages for tailgating

Tailgating is all about the beverages—and cheering for your team. (Mostly the beverages, though.) In fact, some would consider cold beer a proper bratwurst side dish. Here are some other "liquid sides" to serve with your brats:

  • Apple cider
  • Cider punch
  • IPAs
  • Lagers
  • Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate (games can get chilly!)
  • Pale ales
  • Pitcher punch
  • Seltzer waters
  • Spiked seltzer
  • Spiked ciders
  • Stouts
  • White wine
  • Wine coolers

Serve these sides with your brats next time for a game-winning combination!

Never again wander the aisles of your grocery store trying to come up with a side dish to pair with your favorite type of german sausage. Instead, peruse these bratwurst sides for easy prep and a super enjoyable tailgate.

The best part about beer, brats, and delicious sides? Being surrounded by all your friends—trust me, they'll want a bite (or two!) of what you're serving.

More Vegetables and Side Dish Recipes

  • Southern Style Ham Pasta Salad
  • Easy Breakfast Potatoes
  • Campbells Green Bean Casserole Recipe
  • Caramelized Mushrooms and Onions with Bacon

About Bowl Me Over

Welcome to Bowl Me Over! My name is Debra and I send warm greetings from sunny California. I am a serious foodie – I’ve been known as the go-to girl in our family for years, catering weddings and anniversary parties. In the summer I help cook mountains of food for our family reunions. Often times things I create end up in a bowl, hence the name Bowl Me Over! Let's stay connected, you can email me at [email protected] and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

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