Instant Pot Beer Brats and Sauerkraut
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Our Instant Pot brats and sauerkraut recipe uses your favorite lager, tangy sauerkraut, hearty bratwurst, and sweet onions.
Bratwurst with sauerkraut and beer is one of John’s favorite meals, and it’s easy to see why. Just pop the sausage and sauerkraut into hot dog bun and you’ve got a filling dish. I usually bake brats in the oven and let them cook in some beer, but I thought making these in the Instant Pot would be an easy option.
Everything turned out so good! John loved this version and his only suggestion would be to saute the brats in the Instant Pot liner before pressure cooking them. I skipped that part when developing the recipe, but it does add a nice snap to the casing.
Tips for the Best Brats and Sauerkraut
- Make sure the bratwurst are fully cooked by checking the internal temp with a meat thermometer. They should be at least 160°F and look more gray or brown rather than pink.
- We like to use a lager in this recipe but that’s about preference. Use whatever beer you like to drink. If you want to make these without beer, replace it with the same amount of chicken or beef broth.
- Be careful when removing the brats from the Instant Pot. They’re tender and can easily break apart.
- If you’re thinking way ahead time, prep some homemade sauerkraut to serve with the brats.
How to make Instant Pot Brats and Sauerkraut
- Start by gathering all your ingredients. You’ll only need a few: some cooking oil like canola or vegetable, sliced white onion, sauerkraut (drained), a package of bratwurst, and your favorite beer. Heat the stainless steel liner of the Instant Pot using the “saute” function. Add the oil and onions, and saute until the onions soften. Usually about 3 to 4 minutes. Toss in the brats if you want to saute them, too.
- Turn off “saute” and add the sauerkraut and beer (if you didn’t saute the brats, go ahead and add them). All of the ingredients except the hot dog buns should now be in the Instant Pot. Close the lid, and set the valve to “sealing.” Using the manual or pressure cook button, set the time for 15 minutes. After the time is up, complete a natural release for 10 minutes before turning the valve to release the remaining pressure. Fill a warm hot dog bun with a brat, some sliced onions, and top with lots of sauerkraut. Serve with a side of french fries or onion rings, and enjoy!
How to Video
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil, canola, vegetable, etc.
- 1 white onion, thinly sliced
- 16 ounces beer, lager/ale of your choice
- 28 ounces drained sauerkraut
- 1 to 1 ½ pounds bratwurst, about 5 bratwursts
- 5 hot dog buns
💌 Don’t forget to save this recipe!
Instructions
- Turn on Instant Pot using saute function and allow liner to get hot. Add the oil and onions, and saute until onions soften. Turn off the Instant Pot.1 tablespoon cooking oil1 white onion
- Add the sauerkraut, beer, and bratwurst. Close the lid and set the valve to sealing. Use the manual (pressure cook) button to adjust the time to 15 minutes.16 ounces beer28 ounces drained sauerkraut1 to 1 ½ pounds bratwurst
- After the time is up, allow a 10 minute natural pressure release before opening the valve to release any remaining pressure.
- Carefully remove the lid. The brats may have sunk into the sauerkraut, so use tongs to transfer them to buns. Load the buns with the brats, sauerkraut, and your favorite condiments.5 hot dog buns
Notes
- The calories listed are an approximation based on the ingredients and a serving size of 1 bratwurst, in a bun, topped with 1/4-cup of sauerkraut and onions. Actual calories will vary.
- Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Serving: 1bratwurstCalories: 674kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 25gFat: 44gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 22gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 101mgSodium: 2415mgPotassium: 852mgFiber: 6gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 38IUVitamin C: 26mgCalcium: 156mgIron: 5mg
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When pressure cooking (I’m using an Instant Pot Duo Crisp), should I use the high or low setting?
Hi Tom!
We’ve never used the Duo Crisp model, but our model is the Duo Plus. We cooked on high pressure. Hope that helps. 🙂 Have a wonderful afternoon!
@Kimberly, Much appreciated. Thanks!
You’re welcome!
I don’t drink beer, so I have no idea what the best kind of beer for this recipe might be. Any recommendations?
Good Afternoon Joseph, that’s a good question. Since you’re not a beer drinker, I would keep it simple. I recommend Heineken or Stella Artois, both varieties are light and won’t be overpowering. I hope this info helps, have a great day!
What a wonderful, easy, and quick dinner! My husband and I enjoyed this recipe so much. It’s definitely a keeper! Thank you!
Thank you Elaine! Kim and I are happy you both enjoyed the brats and sauerkraut. Also, we appreciate you coming back to comment on and rate the recipe card. Have a wonderful day 🙂
This looks delicious! Thank you for sharing. I haven’t made a good beer brat meal in a while! Can’t wait to make this.
Good Morning, Billy! Kim and I hope you enjoy the brats. Let us know how everything turn outs for you. Thank you for commenting on and rating the recipe. Have a wonderful day 🙂