Easy Oven-Baked Bratwurst Recipe! The best way to cook a packet of bratwurst when you don’t want to fire up the grill!
“Perfectly juicy brats don’t have to come off the barbecue. This simple oven method gives you beautifully cooked brats every time, with hardly any effort.” – Mona, Far From The Farm.
One of the things I’ve really come to enjoy since moving to America is brats. They’re affordable, easy to find in almost every grocery store, and make a hearty dinner without much effort.
Most people think of cooking brats on the grill, and they’re certainly delicious that way, but it isn’t always practical. Sometimes it’s pouring with rain, sometimes it’s freezing outside, and sometimes you simply don’t feel like firing up the barbecue after a long day.
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!
Or back home in the UK it’s actually uncommon to have a non-charcoal grill any how so unless it’s a sunny day you’ll need another method!
Cooking them in the oven is an easy alternative that still gives you juicy brats with nicely browned skins. If you like a little more colour, a couple of minutes under the broiler at the end helps recreate some of that grilled finish.
If you’ve already made my Easy Brat Marinade, this method works perfectly for those too. Simply remove the brats from the marinade and bake them as directed. I’ll also link my homemade hot dog buns below if you’d like to make the whole meal from scratch.
Serve them piled into soft buns with mustard and sauerkraut for a quick weeknight dinner, or make them part of your Oktoberfest celebrations when you’d rather stay warm indoors than stand outside tending the grill.
As a military family working through Baby Step 2 of our debt-free journey, we’re making more meals at home these days because every dollar we can save helps us move a little closer to our goals.
A packet of brats, a few buns, and your favourite toppings make an inexpensive dinner that’s filling, comforting, and easy enough for even the busiest evenings.
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 AI recipe images or 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 grab a packet of bratwurst and let’s get them into the oven!
Recipe Disclaimer
All Far From The Farm recipes are shared as a guide based on what works in my home kitchen. Results may vary depending on your ingredients, equipment, and cooking setup, so always use your own judgement. Please check all ingredients for allergies, intolerances, or dietary needs before making any recipe. Far From The Farm is not responsible for any reactions or outcomes from the use of these recipes. Nutritional information is an estimate only.
Mona – Far From The Farm
Equipment
- Baking sheet (sheet pan/cookie sheet)
- Aluminum foil
- Tongs
- Oven gloves
- Instant-read meat thermometer
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Ingredients
Serves 2 – 5
- 1 package bratwurst (5 brats)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
Step 2
Arrange the bratwurst on the baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch between each one.
Do not prick the skins. Keeping the casing intact helps hold the juices inside while the bratwurst cooks.
Step 3
If using my Easy Brat Marinade, remove the bratwurst from the marinade and place them directly onto the prepared baking sheet.
Discard the leftover marinade. Because it has been in contact with raw bratwurst, it is no longer safe to use as a basting sauce or serve at the table unless it is first brought to a full rolling boil. For this recipe, simply discard it and continue baking.
Step 4
Bake for 15 to 18 minutes.
Step 5
Halfway through cooking, turn each brat using tongs so they brown evenly.
Step 6
Check the internal temperature with an instant-read meat thermometer:
- Pork, beef, and traditional bratwurst should reach 160°F (71°C) before serving.
- If you’re using chicken or turkey brats, cook them to 165°F (74°C).
Step 7 (Optional)
For darker, slightly blistered skins similar to grilled bratwurst, switch the oven to Broil for 2 to 3 minutes.
Watch carefully. The skins can blister and occasionally split if left too long.
Step 8
Remove from the oven and allow the bratwurst to rest for 3 to 5 minutes before serving. Serve in buns with mustard, sauerkraut, onions, or your favourite toppings.
Storage
- Allow the brats to cool completely before storing.
- Place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- To reheat, place them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or warm them in the air fryer for 3 to 5 minutes until heated through.
- Cooked brats can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Ideas
These oven baked brats are delicious served with:
- Homemade hot dog buns
- Sauerkraut
- Yellow mustard
- Spicy brown mustard
- Dijon mustard
- Caramelized onions
- Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes
- German potato salad
- French fries
- Potato chips
- Coleslaw
- Macaroni salad
- Baked beans
- Pickles
- Soft pretzels
- Oktoberfest beer
- Sparkling apple cider
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?!
- No grill required, hands-off approach.
- Perfect for rainy, cold, or busy days.
- Juicy brats with beautifully browned skins.
- Optional broiling adds a lightly charred finish.
- Easy enough for busy weeknight dinners.
- Budget-friendly family meal.
- Great for Oktoberfest celebrations.
- Pairs perfectly with homemade buns and sauerkraut.
- Works with plain or marinated brats.
- Ready in around 25 minutes.
FAQ
Yes. Simply remove the brats from the marinade, discard the remaining marinade, and bake as directed. They come out wonderfully juicy and full of flavour.
No. Leave the skins intact. The casing helps keep the juices inside while the brats cook, giving you a much juicier result.
The most reliable method is to use an instant-read meat thermometer. Traditional pork or beef brats should reach 160°F (71°C). Chicken or turkey brats should reach 165°F (74°C).
Absolutely. A couple of minutes under the broiler at the end gives the brats a darker finish that’s similar to what you’d get from grilling. Just watch them carefully, as the skins can blister or split if left too long.
How to Cook Brats in the Oven!
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
- Arrange the bratwurst on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch between each one. Do not prick the skins.
- If using marinated brats, remove them from the marinade and place them directly onto the baking sheet. Discard the remaining marinade.
- Bake for 15 to 18 minutes.
- Halfway through cooking, turn each brat using tongs so they brown evenly.
- Check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer. Pork, beef, and traditional bratwurst should reach 160°F (71°C). Chicken or turkey brats should reach 165°F (74°C).
- For a darker finish, switch the oven to Broil for 2 to 3 minutes, watching carefully as the skins can blister or split if left too long.
- Remove from the oven and allow the brats to rest for 3 to 5 minutes before serving.Serve in buns with mustard, sauerkraut, onions, or your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Do not prick the bratwurst before cooking, as the casing helps keep the juices inside.
- This method works beautifully with plain brats or those that have been marinated beforehand.
- Broiling at the end is optional but gives the brats a darker finish that’s closer to what you’d get from grilling.
- Chicken and turkey brats should always be cooked to 165°F (74°C), while pork, beef, and traditional bratwurst should reach 160°F (71°C).
Storage
- Allow the brats to cool completely before storing.
- Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or in the air fryer for 3 to 5 minutes until heated through.
- Cooked brats can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Related Recipes
- This Easy Brat Marinade adds extra flavor before baking.
- Quick and Easy KitchenAid Fluffy Hot Dog Buns Recipe
- All Oktoberfest Recipes
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Looking for more homemaking inspiration?
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The Takeaway
Not every packet of brats needs to end up on the barbecue.
This simple oven method gives you juicy, flavorful brats with very little hands-on work, making it perfect for weeknight dinners, colder weather, or any time you don’t feel like firing up the grill.
Serve them with homemade buns, your favourite mustard, and plenty of sauerkraut for a meal that’s simple, satisfying, and easy on the grocery budget too!
What to Try Next?!
Share & Rate This Recipe!
If these oven baked brats make it onto your dinner table, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a star rating on the recipe card and a comment below to let me know how they turned out!
Last update on 2026-08-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
