How Long to Boil Brats?

Even though Bratwursts may have originated in Germany, you don’t have to go all the way there to enjoy one! Brats are becoming popular worldwide. There are so many types available: pork, beef, vegan, even veal. And they are quite easy to prepare.

One of my favorite ways to cook brats is to boil them! You just put them in the pot of boiling water and wait. It’s too easy, When I first started learning about boiling different foods, I learned that brats was of no exception. I wondered how long to boil brats and whether there was some magical time I should be following.

Well, I’m here today to share those boiling times for the juiciest and best tasting brats!

So, read on to learn more!

So, how long will it take to boil brats?

You can boil brats in 3 to 20 minutes, you just have to take a few things into account first. Are you boiling precooked brats to heat them up? Are you boiling raw brats to cook them? Are they frozen or already thawed out? This might seem like a lot to remember, but I have all the times listed below.

• Frozen Uncooked Brats- 15 to 20 minutes
• Frozen Precooked Brats- 5 to 6 minutes
• Fresh Uncooked Brats- 8 to 10 minutes
• Fresh Precooked Brats- 3 to 4 minutes

I have found that these times stay true regardless of the quantity of brats you are boiling, within reason. If you’re boiling 10 or less, you can follow the above guide worry free. If you are boiling more than 10, you may need to add 2 to 3 minutes boil times, just to ensure they all get cooked evenly!

Frozen Brats

It’s best to thaw out frozen brats prior to boiling, but sometimes that isn’t possible! So, you will just boil the frozen brats a couple minutes longer. However, it is a good idea to rinse the icy layer off of the frozen brat under cool running water first! Then you are all set.

How to Boil Brats: A Step by Step Guide

Follow my guide below to boil the perfect brats every time!

Step 1: If you can, thaw out frozen brats. I personally prefer to boil thawed out or fresh brats over frozen. But sometimes, I’m in a hurry, and I don’t plan my meals! Or my kids decide what we’re having at the last minute, and of course it’s frozen. But if you do have time, simply place the frozen brats in the refrigerator overnight. At the very least, rinse the frozen brats under cool running water to get the icy layer off prior to boiling.

Step 2: Preboil the water. Grab a pot large enough to hold all your brats and enough water to fully submerge them, leaving an inch of room at the top. One quart should do for 2 medium sized brats. Do not add the brats to the water yet. Add a dash of salt and cover the pot with a lid to help speed up the boiling process.

Step 3: Time to boil the brats! When the water is boiling, place your brats in the water. If you have 10 or fewer you’ll follow the below times! If you have more than 10, you’ll add 2 to 3 minutes boiling times.

• Frozen Uncooked Brats- 15 to 20 minutes
• Frozen Precooked Brats- 5 to 6 minutes
• Fresh Uncooked Brats- 8 to 10 minutes
• Fresh Precooked Brats- 3 to 4 minutes

Step 4: Reduce to a medium heat. Immediately after placing the brats in the boiling water, reduce the heat to a medium and cover with a lid. Start with the minimum time and go up to the maximum time if needed. I find that my brats are ready when the juices start bubbling on the skin. If you over boil or boil longer than the appropriate amount of time, the brat could explode and disperse its juices everywhere! So only boil for the minimum amount of time you have too.

Step 5: Drain. Remove the brats from the water. You can season with salt and pepper or however you’d like!

Step 6: Eat and Enjoy! Eat however you like, even if it’s just dipping them in mustard.

What goes well with boiled brats?

• Make a bratwurst sandwich! This is my favorite way. Grab a Kaiser roll, put some mustard on it and place the brat in between the bread. Eat like a hotdog.
• I’ll boil some red potatoes to enjoy with the brats too! They make an excellent side dish.
• Make a potato salad.
• Eat in place of breakfast sausage with eggs and biscuits.
• Dip in mustard as a snack.

Tips for Boiling Tasty and Delicious Brats

Here’s a few tips I’ve learned over the years to make sure my brats always turn out great!

• Pierce the brat prior to boiling. This is optional and depending on who you talk too, they may or may not recommend this. Personally, I do pierce a few holes in my brats prior to boiling. I find that it helps keep the brat from potentially exploding in the water. Piercing the brats with holes beforehand allows the juices to stay contained within the brat.
• Boil your brats in flavor! Instead of water, boil your brats in beer, onion, garlic powder, and pepper flakes. You will lock the flavor into the brat making it taste extra delicious and juicy! The beer is used specifically for flavor only if you’re worried about making them around kids. All the alcohol is killed in the boiling process!

Wrapping UP

Now you know the process I use to boil frozen, fresh, raw, or precooked brats each and every time. You’ll be able to bring a little piece of Germany into your own home with this popular dish.

You’ll never have to wonder how long to boil brats again as long as you follow the guide I have listed on this post!

Drop a comment below letting me know how your next brats turn out!