How Long To Grill Brats On Gas Grill

Grilling brats on a gas grill may seem simple, but there’s more to it. In other words, simply tossing them straight onto the grill with flames shooting high in the air isn’t the right way to go about it. They’ll just burn to a crisp before getting cooked through the inside.

So, how do you get the perfectly grilled bratwurst that’s juicy on the inside and snappy on the outside? Well, don’t worry, it’s not rocket science! Just remember the key to grilling brats or any sausage for that matter is to grill slowly on moderate heat.

On that note, I’ll now explain a few tips on grilling brats, focusing on the two primary factors that need to be considered during the overall cooking process - time and temperature.

1. Parboiling Before Grilling

As you know, like any other sausage, bratwurst is a mixture of high-fat content ground meat with seasonings enclosed in a pressure-stuffed casing. So, when you toss it onto the grill, the fat renders, releasing juices from within. But these juices may expand too quickly, causing the casing to crack. As a result, it tends to lose all its delicious, mouthwatering flavors.

You may try cooking it slowly, but even then, the heat of the grill may burn the exterior before cooking it all the way through. For this reason, I prefer parboiling my brats before hitting the grill.

The process involves simmering them in any liquid, be it beer, broth, or water. You won’t need to submerge them completely. Simply place the sausages in a pan and pour the liquid till it reaches 3/4th of the sausage.

Once that’s done, slowly bring the mixture to a simmer on a low flame, allowing the sausages to cook evenly. It will take around 15-20 minutes for them to reach 150-degree F. You may measure the temperature using an instant-read thermometer.

2. Sear To Finish

Once the sausages are cooked from the inside, it’s time to hit the grill! So, you can transfer the parboiled brats from the pan to the gas grill.

Now, remember the sausages require just a light sear since they’ve already been perfectly cooked. For this, don’t spend more than 4-5 minutes while grilling each of the four sides. This will help you achieve the desired golden, snappy finish.

3. Direct Grilling

You may also skip the parboiling step and directly cook your brats on the gas grill. Just make sure you grill them according to the “low and slow” approach. What do I mean?

Well, simply place the sausages on the grill over a medium flame, and start grilling them until the internal temperature reaches 160 to 180-degree F. This usually takes around 25 minutes. However, you’ll need to be ready to lower the heat as required when the juices begin to flow.

Furthermore, it’s critical to note that the cooking time may differ depending on the type of bratwurst being grilled. For instance, traditional brats need to be grilled for 15-20 minutes, while turning them often, until the temperature reaches around 160-degree F.

On the other hand, you can grill skinless casein-free brats for 10-12 minutes, turning once, until the temperature reaches 160-degree F. The same goes for brats patties.

4. Grilling Frozen Brats

When it comes to grilling frozen brats, you can choose between one of the two options - wait for them to thaw out or simply cook them while frozen. But it’s better to choose the latter only when there’s no other alternative.

That said, grilling frozen brats involve the same process as mentioned above. The only difference is that you’ll need to braise them a bit longer. In other words, cook them for an additional 5-10 minutes (30-35 minutes in total) until the internal temperature reaches around 165-degree F.

Summing It Up…

When it comes to grilling bratwurst, timing and temperature are the two crucial factors that need to be monitored closely. That said, you can’t expect perfect cooking results if you’re not patient. In other words, cranking up the heat in order to speed up the overall grilling process is a strict no-no.

You’ll end up with black, charred and undercooked brats. So, you can well imagine how it would taste. That’s why grilling brats on a gas grill requires a slow and low approach. The flame should be kept on medium while they cook for 20-25 minutes.

The bottom line is that you may always rely on the tips I’ve mentioned above without any worries. Just remember not to rush through the process.

On that note, I’ll now be taking your leave. Till next time, take care!