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Easy Bratwurst and Sauerkraut Skillet: Best One-Pan Dinner

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A simple one-pan bratwurst and sauerkraut dinner that comes together in about 30 minutes with deep, complex flavor. The apple and onion balance the tangy sauerkraut perfectly, creating a hearty and satisfying meal with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 bratwurst links (about 1.5 lbs)
  • 1 lb sauerkraut, drained
  • 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 medium apple (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), cored and thinly sliced
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1–2 tablespoons butter or oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: Thinly slice the onion. Core and thinly slice the apple (no need to peel). Drain the sauerkraut and rinse if desired for milder flavor. Pat the bratwurst dry with paper towels.
  2. Brown the bratwurst: Heat 1 tablespoon butter or oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bratwurst and cook, turning occasionally with tongs, until deeply browned on all sides, about 8-10 minutes. Do not pierce the sausages. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  3. Sauté the aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 1 tablespoon butter or oil if needed. Add sliced onion and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
  4. Add the apple and spices: Stir in sliced apple, caraway seeds, and brown sugar. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until apple starts to soften and sugar begins to caramelize.
  5. Combine and simmer: Add drained sauerkraut, chicken broth, and Dijon mustard. Stir to combine, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Nestle the browned bratwurst back into the mixture. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes.
  6. Finish and serve: Remove lid and let simmer for 1-2 minutes if you want the liquid to reduce more. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve hot with sauerkraut mixture on top.

Notes

For a more traditional flavor, replace chicken broth with ½ cup light lager or pilsner beer. To reduce tanginess, rinse sauerkraut before using. Let the skillet rest for 5 minutes off heat before serving for best flavor. Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: bratwurst, sauerkraut, one-pan dinner, easy skillet meal, German sausage, weeknight dinner, one-pot meal

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