Summer is the kick off to the grilling season (and especially in Minnesota, brat season)! With so many hot afternoons to spend on the patio or in the local park, a variety of brat pairings can keep things fresh, and accommodate everyone’s tastes and dietary preferences. Whether you’ve got a pickled palette or craving something spicy, fix yourself up a brat with bold toppings for your next summer picnic. Expand your palette with these 7 brat pairings:
The Reuben Brat
The Rachel sausage from Ferndale Market puts a smoky spin on a Reuben with turkey, Swiss, and kraut. Top it off with the classics to enhance that fresh summer flavor.
Brat: Ferndale Market Uncured Smoked Rachel Sausage
Bun: pretzel bun
Sauce: Annie’s Thousand Island
Topping: Bubbies Sauerkraut and melted Swiss cheese
The Old World Brat
Gerhard’s is a Twin Cities local brand known for Old World German-style sausages, lightly smoked and spiced. Enhance the smokey flavors with mustard and tangy sauerkraut.
Brat: Gerhard’s Smoked Bratwurst
Bun: Brioche bun
Sauce: Organicville Stoneground Mustard
Topping: Bubbies Sauerkraut
The Gyro Brat
Grab this brat for a Mediterranean-inspired picnic. Trade in your bun for some pita bread to fully experience the gyro flavor.
Brat: O’Neill Family Farm Lamb Gyro Brat
Bun: Pita
Sauce: Woodstock Lemon Dill Aioli
Topping: Wildbrine Pickled Red Onion and chopped cucumber
The Heartland Heat Brat
These pork sausages come with a rich, smoky Polish flavor. Top it off with something spicy to enjoy a little more heat in the summer sun.
Brat: Pastures a Plenty Smoked Polish Sausage
Bun: Pretzel
Sauce: Annie’s Horseradish Mustard
Topping: Caruso’s Giardiniera
The Wild Wurst
This sausage combines pork and beef, and is packed with wild rice and creamy gouda. Sweeten it up with some caramelized onions and honey dijon mustard.
Brat: Thousand Hills Lifetime Grazed Pork and Beef Wild Rice Gouda Sausage
Bun: Brioche bun
Sauce: Koops Honey Dijon Mustard
Topping: Caramelized onions
The Italian Summer Brat
Grab this organic chicken sausage featuring classic Italian herbs. Complete your own Italian Summer at home with some rich truffle aioli and some giardiniera for extra tang and heat.
Brat: Bilinski’s Italian Chicken Sausage
Bun: Brioche
Sauce: Sir Kensington’s Truffle Garlic Aioli
Topping: Caruso’s Giardiniera
The Vegan Brat
This bold, plant-based sausage brings smoky chipotle heat with a rich, savory bite. Choose between curtido or kimchi to add some crunch and tang.
Brat: Field Roast Spicy Chipotle Sausage
Bun: Pretzel bun
Sauce: Sir Kensington’s Truffle Garlic Aioli
Topping: Angelica’s Garden Curtido or Mother-in-Law’s Kimchi