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Easy German Bratwurst Skillet: 30-Minute Apple Sauerkraut Dinner

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A quick and comforting one-pan meal featuring juicy bratwurst, sweet apples, and tangy sauerkraut, ready in just 30 minutes. Perfect for cozy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bratwurst sausages (about 1 pound)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), cored and sliced into ¼-inch wedges
  • 1 ½ cups sauerkraut, drained but not rinsed
  • ½ cup apple cider (or unsweetened apple juice)
  • 1 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (for serving)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients first: slice the onion into thin half-rings, core the apples and cut into ¼-inch wedges, drain the sauerkraut.
  2. Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and let it warm for 30 seconds. Place the bratwurst in the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
  3. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the same skillet. Add the sliced onions and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent.
  4. Add the apple wedges to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring gently, until they start to soften and get some color.
  5. Stir in the drained sauerkraut and caraway seeds (if using). Cook for 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Pour in the apple cider and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let simmer for 1 minute.
  7. Nestle the browned bratwurst back into the skillet, pushing them into the apple-sauerkraut mixture. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes until bratwurst is cooked through (internal temperature of 160°F).
  8. Serve immediately: spoon the apple-sauerkraut mixture onto plates, top with bratwurst, and add a dollop of Dijon mustard. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

For best results, use fresh (raw) bratwurst rather than pre-cooked. Don’t rinse the sauerkraut to preserve its tangy flavor. Slice apples evenly to ensure even cooking. If using a non-stick pan, avoid metal utensils.

Nutrition

Keywords: bratwurst, German, skillet, apple, sauerkraut, 30-minute meal, one-pan dinner

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