How to turn basic hot dogs or brats into something seriously flavorful using just beer and onions!
Learn How to Elevate Cheap Hot Dogs or Brats with One Simple Dairy-Free Marinade!
Hi! If you’ve been following me for long you’ll already know this, but for those who are new, welcome to Far From The Farm. I’m Mona, the Brit behind the recipes, learning life and food in the States while sharing our debt-free journey and what’s on the menu in our home today!
One of my favorite things about cooking like this, especially in this season of life, is finding those little tricks that take something basic and make it feel like a proper meal.
My husband still talks about this to this day. On one of his military trips years ago, he ended up paired with a guy he swears was the best griller he’s ever met. Not super fancy. No complicated seasonings or methods. Just someone who knew exactly what he was doing.
And what was the best marinade for brats and hot dogs? Beer and onions. That’s it.
No long list of seasonings. No marinades with ten ingredients. Just a tray of hot dogs soaking in beer with sliced onions before they hit the grill.
And somehow, they were that good that more than a decade later my husband still remembered them. So of course, we had to try and recreate it at home.
As a military family working through baby step 2 of our debt free journey, this is exactly the kind of thing we lean into. Taking something cheap and cheerful and making it taste like something you’d happily serve up to guests.
And just a reminder that if you’re struggling and you need help with managing your budget or starting your own debt free journey then here’s some FREE resources below you may find helpful!
living frugally and fully
free tips and resources to make the most of what you have
As always, these photos are from my real kitchen here in our sweet military base home. No staged lighting or spotless marble counters. Just real life and real food made in a small space. Proof that you can feed your family well without needing a dream kitchen or fancy tools!
So let’s head into the kitchen together and make this ridiculously simple marinade that takes hot dogs or brats to the next level!
Equipment
- Container with lid (glass or plastic, glass preferred as it doesn’t hold onion smell and easy to clean)
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Bottle opener (if needed)
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Ingredients
Yield: enough for 1 packet of brats or hotdogs
- 1 pack brats (about 5) or 1 pack hot dogs (about 8)
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 bottle beer (or enough to fully cover however many sausages you’re marinading)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step One: Add the sausages
Place your brats or hot dogs into a container.
A glass container works best here as it won’t absorb the onion smell.
Step Two: Slice the onion
Slice your onion and add them in.
Thick or thin slices both work here, so don’t overthink it.
Step Three: Add the beer
Pour in enough beer to fully cover everything.
As a rough guide:
- 1 bottle covers about 5 brats
- 1 bottle covers about 8 hot dogs
Step Four: Cover and refrigerate
Put the lid on and place in the fridge.
Let it sit for:
- at least 2 hours
- up to 24 hours for deeper flavor
Step Five: Grill as normal
Remove from the marinade and grill your brats or hot dogs as you normally would.
You’ll notice straight away they smell better and cook up with more flavor.
Step Six: Serve
Serve hot straight off the grill.
Perfect in buns with your usual toppings, or keep it simple and let the flavor do the work!
Notes and Tips
- No extra seasoning needed
- Works with cheap store-brand hot dogs or brats
- Glass containers help avoid lingering onion smell
- Longer marinade time = deeper flavor
Storage
- Store the marinated brats or hot dogs covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking.
- Once cooked, any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat on a grill, in a pan, or in the oven until warmed through.
Why This Works So Well!
- The beer adds flavor and helps tenderize
- The onion brings a bit of sweetness and depth
- And together, they take something basic and make it feel completely different
- You don’t need expensive beer – a cheap one will do just fine
Serving Ideas
- Serve in soft buns with mustard or ketchup
- Add grilled onions from the marinade
- Pair with fries or chips for an easy meal
- Perfect for cookouts or simple weekend dinners
FAQ
Can I use any beer?
Yes, whatever you have on hand works fine.
Do I need to cook the onions?
You can, but it’s optional. They’re great grilled alongside.
Can I do this overnight?
Yes, up to 24 hours works well.
The Best Marinade Recipe for Perfect Beer Brats or Hot Dogs Every Time!
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Place the brats or hot dogs into a container with a lid. Glass works best as it won’t hold the onion smell.
- Slice the onion and add it to the container.
- Pour in enough beer to fully cover the brats or hot dogs. As a rough guide, 1 bottle should cover about 5 brats or 8 hot dogs.
- Put the lid on and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 24 hours for deeper flavor.
- Remove the brats or hot dogs from the marinade and grill as normal.
- Serve hot in buns with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- No extra seasoning needed
- Works with cheap store-brand hot dogs or brats
- Glass containers help avoid lingering onion smell
- Longer marinade time = deeper flavor
Storage
- Store the marinated brats or hot dogs covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking.
- Once cooked, any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat on a grill, in a pan, or in the oven until warmed through.
Related Recipes
- Check out our Fluffy Hot Dog Buns that pair perfectly with grilled sausages!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The Takeaway
Three ingredients. A bit of time in the fridge. And suddenly something basic tastes like you actually tried. Cheap, simple, and genuinely worth doing!
What to Try Next?!
Share & Rate This Recipe!
If you try this, I’d love to hear how it turns out in your kitchen. And if you’ve got someone in your house who demolishes hot dogs like mine do, go ahead and save this one. You’ll be using it again!
Last update on 2026-05-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
