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What to Serve with Bratwurst? 10 BEST Side Dishes

Do you want to know what to serve with bratwurst?

Don’t worry; we have ten excellent side dishes you can use to pair with German sausage and enjoy a hearty meal.

Bratwurst contains pork and sometimes veal or beef.

While we know that it is absolutely delicious, this food is a favorite because it is easy to make.

The recipes for bratwurst developed around 228 AD, with the first recorded proof in Germany dating back to 1313.

The sausage is versatile, so you can eat it with various side dishes.

Sauerkraut, mustard, and red cabbage are classic sides for bratwurst.

However, check out our top picks below if you wish to make something more unique and substantial.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Bratwurst?

Although popularly known as a German dish, Bratwurst is highly enjoyed in America, too.

People eat them as appetizers, put them in sandwiches, and even serve them for lunch and dinner.

But it isn’t ideal to eat bratwurst on its own, no matter how delicious.

To make the meal more rounded and balanced, you need some side dishes that complement it.

Bratwurst is all meat- you need carbs, fibers, and foods rich in vitamins and minerals to have a balanced meal.

We’ve listed ten side dishes you can serve with bratwurst.

What to Serve with Bratwurst? 10 BEST Side Dishes

1 – Sauerkraut

Nothing might be more iconic than serving bratwurst with a bowl of freshly-prepared sauerkraut.

Traditionalists will love this classic side dish that packs a punch of flavor.

Sauerkraut is fermented raw cabbage.

You can buy it from the store or make your own if you plan your bratwurst dinner ahead of time.

It is one of the most popular dishes in Germany, featuring a sour taste because of the lactic acid used in the fermentation process.

You can serve sauerkraut with bratwurst as is or sauté it in oil or butter.

Grilling sauerkraut until caramelizing is also another delicious way of eating it.

2 – German Spaetzle

There are many unique and tasty dishes that German cuisine offers us.

One of them is spaetzle- a chewy, dumpling-like egg noodle pasta.

The dish originated in the Vienna region, where the recipe involved flour-water or bread crumbs dough boiled in meat or vegetable broth before tossing into butter.

The result is a batch of noodles that are moist on the inside and crispy outside.

Whether you’re familiar with spaetzle or not, you’ll love it with bratwurst.

It only needs four ingredients- milk, eggs, flour, and salt.

You must already have them.

German spaetzle is another classic dish you can serve with bratwurst.

It is one of the best sides to present a filling German meal.

3 – Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Maple Syrup and Balsamic Vinegar

Another great way to add vegetables to your meal without interrupting your taste is roasted Brussels sprouts with maple syrup and balsamic vinegar.

It is a delightful vegan side dish containing Brussels sprouts, Maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, and salt & pepper.

You can use fresh or frozen Brussels sprouts; they are equally healthy and tasty.

Half the sprouts and evenly coat them with the maple syrup and balsamic vinegar mixture.

Bake them at 400 degrees for 20 minutes in the oven.

Try this side with your bratwurst to enjoy a simple yet delicious meal.

4 – Grilled Corn on the Cob

Corn on the cob might be considered a popular summer snack.

But they are just as good on a cold day when you want a comforting and hearty meal.

Get as many corns on the cob as needed for your dinner party, shuck them, and start grilling.

We love smearing melted butter on the freshly-grilled corn for that heavenly buttery flavor.

Bratwurst and grilled corn on the cob taste excellent together.

It’s the perfect combination for any meal.

Plus, you’d get some fantastic fibers from the corn.

You can also boil or blanch the corn if you don’t want to use the grill.

5 – Amish Macaroni Salad

Brats taste great with pasta salads.

But don’t go for any pasta salad when you can make an Amish macaroni salad.

It features a tangy dressing made from sugar, vinegar, paprika, mayonnaise, and mustard.

For the salad, you’ll need elbow macaroni, eggs, celery, onion, and red bell pepper.

You can also add peas, pickles, pineapple, ham, bacon, and shredded carrots to your Amish macaroni salad.

Pick the ingredients based on your flavor preferences; they’ll work as long as the taste profiles match.

In case of any leftovers, you can refrigerate this side dish in a sealed container for up to five days.

6 – German Sweet N’ Sour Red Cabbage

If you want to serve something that looks as vibrant as it tastes, try German sweet n’ sour red cabbage.

Also called rotkohl, this traditional German dish highlights the savory flavors of the bratwurst and makes the meal healthy and satiating.

It is one of the best side dish options because making this dish takes very little work.

You just have to braise your red cabbage with apples, sugar, red wine vinegar, cloves, and sugar.

Rotkohl is a staple side dish in German cuisine because it goes well with almost anything.

Pair it with your bratwurst to add refreshing flavors and crunch to your meal.

You can even enjoy the leftovers the next day.

7 – German Kartoffelpuffer (Potato Pancakes)

Potato pancakes and sausages will never disappoint.

Let’s call them kartoffelpuffer and bratwursts since we’re talking German here.

Perfect for any time of the day, this combination will give you a filling and satisfying meal.

So you can serve them to your guests for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

The recipe contains grated potato, flour or matzo meal, seasoning, onion or garlic, and applesauce or egg as the binding ingredient.

You can top kartoffelpuffer with cottage cheese or sour cream or serve as is.

If you want to cut down the starch, you’ll be happy to know that some kartoffelpuffer variations use sweet potatoes.

8 – Homemade Applesauce

In a hurry? You don’t need to whip up a sophisticated side dish to impress your guests.

Buy a jar of applesauce from the store and serve it with bratwursts- everyone will love it.

You can make your own applesauce if you have extra time in the kitchen.

Although the name suggests, applesauce isn’t really a sauce.

It is a puree made from sweetened or spiced apples.

Applesauce is very popular in Europe and North America.

This might be a good time to try it if you haven’t.

You’ll need apples, apple cider (or water), sugar, lemon juice, and spices like allspice and cinnamon.

9 – Grilled Squash and Zucchini

We’re all about fresh flavors and contrasting textures.

One such dish that provides these qualities is grilled squash and zucchini.

You’ll only need zucchini, yellow squashes, extra virgin olive oil, garlic powder, dried parsley, and salt.

Substitute dried parsley with oregano or basil if you want.

You can also add some paprika or chili powder to give the side dish a kick of spice.

10 – Swabian Kartoffelsalat

Don’t let the name intimidate you.

Swabian kartoffelsalat is just potato salad with a little German twist.

First, you need to use red potatoes with their skin on.

It gives a flavor and texture different than your regular potato salad.

Second, use bacon grease and vinegar for the dressing instead of mayo.

Last, Swabian kartoffelsalat is served warm and not cold.

It’s not that hard. Since it is another staple in German cuisine, serving it with bratwurst is only fitting.

Conclusion

So, these are our top ten side dish suggestions you can serve with bratwurst.

Try them each time you serve bratwurst to enjoy unique meals.

There are many German side dishes included in the list.

But that shouldn’t be a problem as they are easy to make and foolproof when it comes to serving with bratwurst.

What to Serve with Bratwurst? 10 BEST Side Dishes

Andrew Gray
Craving some bratwurst and need some side dish inspiration? Look no further! We've compiled a list of the 10 best side dishes that will complement your bratwurst perfectly.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Side Dishes
Servings 4 Servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 – Sauerkraut
  • 2 – German Spaetzle
  • 3 – Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Maple Syrup and Balsamic Vinegar
  • 4 – Grilled Corn on the Cob
  • 5 – Amish Macaroni Salad
  • 6 – German Sweet N’ Sour Red Cabbage
  • 7 – German Kartoffelpuffer Potato Pancakes
  • 8 – Homemade Applesauce
  • 9 – Grilled Squash and Zucchini
  • 10 – Swabian Kartoffelsalat

Instructions
 

  • Pick your favorite recipe from the article.
  • Organize your ingredients and utensils.
  • Follow the detailed instructions in the recipe to make your side dish.
  • Prepare and serve for delicious meal!
Keyword What to Serve with Bratwurst
Did you make this recipe?Mention @AmericasRestaurant or tag #americasrestaurant!

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