Traeger-Smoked Beer Brats Recipe for Juicy Grill-Ready Sausages

Beer brats are a staple of summer in the Midwest, and these Traeger Smoked Beer Brats bring a Wisconsin–Minnesota favorite to the pellet grill with a clean smoky flavor and plenty of sweet onions.

Traeger Beer Brats Recipe

This smoked beer brat recipe is simple, fast, and flexible. It works for a casual weeknight dinner or a backyard cookout. The method is straightforward: marinate the brats in beer, smoke them at a low temperature alongside sweet onions, then braise briefly in beer and finish at a higher heat for color and texture.

What’s the best kind of brat to use?

Use fresh, uncooked bratwurst from a local butcher if you can — fresher brats have better texture and flavor. Grocery store fresh brats are fine too. Do not use pre-cooked or already-smoked sausages for this recipe.

What kind of onion is best for beer brats?

Sweet onions like Walla Walla or Vidalia are ideal; they caramelize nicely and complement the beer and smoke. If sweet onions aren’t available, yellow or white onions will work. Avoid red onions for this preparation.

75+ Delicious and Easy Traeger Recipes

Recipe Shopping List

Here’s everything you’ll need for the recipe. See the recipe card below for exact amounts.

• Uncooked bratwurst
• Beer (two bottles)
• Sweet onion (Walla Walla or Vidalia preferred)
• Buns
• Spicy brown mustard

Try our Traeger Bacon-Wrapped Cheese Brats

How To Make This Recipe

Below is a concise overview of the cooking process. Use the full recipe card at the bottom for exact timings and quantities when you cook.

1. Marinate – Place brats in a large resealable bag and pour in one bottle of beer. Refrigerate 4–6 hours.
2. Preheat – Preheat your pellet smoker to 180°F. Slice onions into long strips.
3. Smoke – Place onions in a grill-safe baking dish and put them on the grill. Drain the brats and place them directly on the grates. Smoke both for 1 hour at 180°F.
4. Grill/Braise – Increase grill temperature to 350°F. Add the second bottle of beer to the pan with onions and nestle the brats on top. Cook for 30–60 minutes, allowing the brats to simmer in the beer and onions for roughly 20–25 minutes total. Optional: remove brats from the beer and finish directly on the grates for 5–10 minutes to add a char.
5. Serve – Toast buns, top brats with the onions and a smear of spicy brown mustard, and enjoy.

Serve with Smoked Potato Salad!

More Summer BBQ Recipes

• Smoked Stuffed Cheeseburgers (Juicy Lucy)
• Sweet Chili Chicken Leg Quarters
• Traeger Grilled Pork Chops
• Smoked Pulled Pork
• Traeger BBQ Beef Sandwich

Yield: 6 servings

Traeger Smoked Beer Brats

These easy smoked beer brats are cooked on the pellet grill with sweet Walla Walla onions and finished by braising in beer for tender, flavorful sausages.

Prep Time
5 minutes

Cook Time
2 hours

Total Time
2 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 6 uncooked bratwurst
• 2 bottles beer
• 1 large sweet onion
• 6 buns
• 2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard

Instructions

1. Place the brats into a large resealable bag and add one bottle of beer. Seal and refrigerate 4–6 hours. Discard the marinade before cooking.
2. Preheat your smoker to 180°F.
3. Slice the onion into long strips and place them in a grill-safe baking dish.
4. Put the brats directly on the grill grates and place the pan of onions on the grill. Smoke at 180°F for 1 hour.
5. Increase the grill temperature to 350°F. Add the second bottle of beer to the pan with the onions and place the brats on top. Cook for about 30–60 minutes, allowing the brats to simmer in the beer and onions for roughly 20–25 minutes. Optional: finish brats directly on the grates for 5–10 minutes for extra char.
6. Serve brats on toasted buns topped with the beer-braised onions and spicy brown mustard.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 477Total Fat: 27gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 63mgSodium: 1006mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 2gSugar: 6gProtein: 17g

Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate.

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