Updated at: 13-07-2023 - By: John Lau

Ever hosted a festive BBQ, only to watch your perfectly grilled brats go cold before they’re even served? The struggle is all-too-real.

This blog provides simple and effective solutions for keeping those delightful sausage links warm post grilling with methods like beer baths, foil wraps, slow cookers and more.

Ready to keep the party going without lukewarm food letdowns? Let’s dive into the world of warm grilled brats!

Tips for Keeping Brats Warm After Grilling

To keep your brats warm after grilling, try using a beer bath or wrapping them in foil while keeping them on a warm grill.

Using a beer bath

How To Keep Brats Warm After Grilling (1)

There’s a delightful trick to keeping your grilled brats warm with an unexpected twist – a beer bath. After grilling, take those sizzling sausages and plunge them into equal parts beer and water heated in a large pot.

This technique ensures the brats not only stay enticingly warm, but also soak up additional flavor from the liquid concoction. The pairing of deliciously grilled brats with this beer-infused heat treatment adds another layer to their taste profile while preserving their warmth for extended periods of time.

It’s an effective method that goes beyond temperature control, making your BBQ food more mouth-watering than ever while ensuring your guests enjoy servings of warmed, flavorful bratwursts any time they wish during your parties or outdoor gatherings.

Wrapping them in foil

How To Keep Brats Warm After Grilling (2)

Wrapping brats in foil after grilling is a simple and effective way to keep them warm and delicious. Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Start by preheating your oven to around 200°F (93°C). This will help maintain the heat of the brats while they are wrapped in foil.
  2. Once the brats are done grilling, carefully remove them from the grill using tongs or a spatula. Be cautious as they may still be hot.
  3. Place each brat on a sheet of aluminum foil large enough to completely wrap it. You can also individually wrap each brat for easy serving.
  4. Wrap the foil tightly around each brat, ensuring there are no openings or gaps where heat can escape.
  5. Place the wrapped brats on a baking sheet and transfer them to the preheated oven. The foil will help retain heat and keep them warm.
  6. Allow the wrapped brats to remain in the oven for about 10 – 15 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of at least 140°F (60°C). This ensures they are heated through and safe to eat.
  7. Once warmed, carefully remove the foil – wrapped brats from the oven using oven mitts or tongs.
  8. Serve the brats immediately, either on their own or on buns with your favorite toppings and condiments.

Keeping them on a warm grill

How To Keep Brats Warm After Grilling (3)

To keep brats warm after grilling, one simple method is to leave them on a warm grill. This allows the residual heat from the grill to continue keeping the brats warm and prevents them from getting cold while you prepare other food or wait for guests to arrive.

By placing the grilled brats on an upper rack in a preheated grill set to a low temperature, you can ensure that they stay hot and ready to serve.

This technique is especially useful for outdoor gatherings or parties where you want to have a constant supply of warm brats throughout the event.

So next time you fire up that grill, don’t forget to use it as a convenient tool for keeping your deliciously grilled brats nice and warm until serving time.

Other Methods to Keep Brats Warm

Other methods to keep brats warm include using a slow cooker, which provides a convenient way to maintain their temperature while also infusing them with flavor.

Using a slow cooker

How To Keep Brats Warm After Grilling (4)

A slow cooker can be a convenient and effective way to keep brats warm after grilling. Here’s how:

  1. Transfer the grilled brats to a preheated slow cooker. This will ensure that they stay hot and ready to eat.
  2. Line the slow cooker with a liner or spray it with non-stick cooking spray before adding the brats. This will prevent them from sticking to the sides of the cooker.
  3. If desired, you can also add some sauce or liquid, such as beer or broth, to the slow cooker. This can help enhance the flavor of the brats while keeping them moist.
  4. Set the slow cooker to its “keep warm” setting or low heat setting. This will maintain a gentle heat and prevent the brats from drying out.
  5. Cover the slow cooker with its lid and let it do its magic for about 1 – 2 hours, depending on how long you need to keep the brats warm.

Using a food warmer or chafing dish

How To Keep Brats Warm After Grilling (5)

Keeping your brats warm after grilling is essential to ensure that they stay delicious and satisfying. One great method to achieve this is by using a food warmer or chafing dish.

These are convenient tools that help maintain the temperature of your brats while also keeping them easily accessible for your guests.

Here’s how you can use a food warmer or chafing dish to keep your brats warm:

  1. Place your grilled brats in the food warmer or chafing dish, ensuring they are arranged in a single layer. This allows for even heating and ensures that all the brats stay warm.
  2. If using a food warmer, adjust the temperature settings according to the instructions provided with the device. Typically, you would set the temperature to low or medium to keep the brats warm without overcooking them.
  3. If using a chafing dish, make sure it is properly fueled with gel fuel or any other recommended heat source. Light it up and wait until it reaches a consistent heat before placing the brats inside.
  4. To prevent the brats from drying out, you can add some liquid to the bottom of the food warmer or chafing dish. This could be beer, water, or even a flavorful broth that complements the taste of the brats.
  5. Cover the food warmer or chafing dish with its lid to trap heat and moisture inside. This helps maintain an ideal temperature while preventing excess evaporation.
  6. Keep an eye on the temperature throughout your event and adjust as necessary to ensure that your brats stay warm but don’t overcook.

Preparing Brats for Warmth

Before grilling, you can enhance the warmth and taste of brats by boiling them and then wrapping them tightly in foil.

Boiling brats before grilling

Boiling brats before grilling is a simple yet effective method to ensure they stay warm and juicy after cooking. Here’s how to do it:

  • Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil.
  • Add the brats to the boiling water and let them cook for about 5 minutes.
  • Remove the brats from the boiling water and pat them dry with paper towels.
  • Preheat your grill to medium – high heat.
  • Grill the brats for about 2 – 3 minutes per side, or until they are nicely browned and cooked through.
  • Once the brats are grilled, transfer them to a serving platter or aluminum foil tray.

Properly wrapping brats in foil

To keep brats warm after grilling, proper wrapping in foil is key. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Start by preheating your oven to a low temperature, around 175°F (80°C). This will help keep the brats warm without drying them out.
  2. Lay out a sheet of heavy – duty aluminum foil, ensuring it is large enough to fully wrap the brats.
  3. Place the grilled brats in the center of the foil.
  4. Fold one side of the foil over the brats, tucking it tightly underneath to create a secure seal.
  5. Repeat this folding process with the remaining sides of the foil until the brats are fully enclosed and sealed within the packet.
  6. Place the foil-wrapped brats on a baking sheet or in a shallow oven-proof dish for easy transfer into and out of the oven.
  7. Carefully place the baking sheet or dish with the wrapped brats into the preheated oven.
  8. Allow the brats to warm in the oven for about 10 – 15 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  9. Once warmed through, remove from the oven and carefully unwrap them from the foil packet using tongs or a fork to avoid burning yourself on any hot steam that may have accumulated inside.
  10. Serve immediately while still warm, either on their own or in buns with your favorite condiments and toppings.

Conclusion

In conclusion, keeping brats warm after grilling is essential to ensure they remain delicious and enjoyable for your guests.

With simple techniques like using a beer bath, wrapping them in foil, or keeping them on a warm grill, you can retain heat and enhance flavor.

Additionally, utilizing methods such as a slow cooker or food warmer can provide convenient solutions for maintaining the temperature of brats during outdoor gatherings or parties.

By following these tips, you’ll never have to worry about cold or dry brats again.

Enjoy your perfectly warm and tasty grilled sausages!