Cook your brats in beer instead of oil. (2024)

Posted on Oct 25, 2015

Embrace the swapportunities.

by Maitland QuitmeyerBuzzFeed Staff

Cook your brats in beer instead of oil. (2)

We asked members of the BuzzFeed Community to tell us their smartest ingredient swaps. Here are the tasty results.

1. Use oatmeal instead of breadcrumbs for all your binding needs.

Cook your brats in beer instead of oil. (3)

2. Try sunflower seeds as a cheaper alternative to pine nuts.

Cook your brats in beer instead of oil. (4)

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"About 1/4 of the cost but a similar texture."

Submitted by anitak4bcf585fa.

Get this recipe for pesto using sunflower seeds here.

3. Use the liquid from canned chickpeas (aquafaba) as a vegan substitute for egg white.

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4. Spread hummus rather than mayo on your favorite sandwiches.

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5. Ditch the breadcrumbs and add crushed goldfish to top your mac and cheese.

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6. Opt for applesauce rather than butter or oil in your baked goods.

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7. Substitute the white sugar for pudding mix in cookies.

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8. Swap out butter for avocado when baking a cake.

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9. Cook rice in broth instead of water to boost the flavor.

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10. Replace eggs with a combo of chia seeds & water.

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11. Substitute pure maple syrup for white sugar.

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12. Use yogurt instead of cream in curries or soups.

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13. Use cauliflower to make mashed "potatoes."

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14. If you're out of buttermilk, swap it out for milk with a little vinegar or lemon juice added.

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15. If you're out of brown sugar, mix molasses with plain white sugar.

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16. Cook your brats in beer instead of oil.

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17. Swap out one egg for half of a ripe banana.

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18. Use greek yogurt instead of butter and milk when making boxed mac and cheese.

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19. Coat your chicken in crushed Ritz crackers, not breadcrumbs.

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20. Use evaporated milk instead of heavy cream in desserts.

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21. Low on flour? Pulverize graham crackers to fill out baked goods.

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22. Use creamy avocado instead of mayonnaise in pretty much anything.

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23. Replace lasagna noodles with tortillas.

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Note: Submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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FAQs

Cook your brats in beer instead of oil.? ›

Assuming that they are uncooked, you can certainly simmer your brats in beer (don't let them boil, that will burst them). I'd try to get a hold of some Red Hook and use that. Simmer them gently until they are almost done, about 15 minutes. Simmering in beer will only intensify the beeriness of the brat.

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How long should I boil my brats in beer? ›

In a medium pot over high heat, bring beer and half the onions to a simmer (save remaining onions for serving). Add bratwurst to the pot, reduce heat to low, and simmer until they are just cooked through, about 10 minutes.

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Why boil brats in beer before grilling? ›

Boiling brats in beer will ensure that they are cooked through before grilling so that they don't burn and dry out on the grill. This will make them more flavorful and juicy. The boiling time will vary, but the general rule of thumb is that they will be fully cooked with 10 minutes of boiling.

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Should you soak brats in beer before cooking? ›

The first secret for making the most flavorful beer brats is soaking them in beer (and sliced onions) before they even hit the grill! This step infuses the brats with extra flavor while also adding moisture to help keep them from getting dried out on the grill. A win-win!

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What does beer do to bratwurst? ›

These awesome brats are simmered in beer with onions and spices to make them bursting with flavor before finishing them off on the grill. Place the grilled brats in hot dog rolls, and top them with the tender onions and mustard, or serve them alongside German potato salad.

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Is it better to boil brats in beer or water? ›

Many customers want to boil their brats in beer, but we do not recommend doing this, just boil them in water. The beer will change as it boils and the brats can take a bit of an acrid flavor while they're cooking.

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What beer is best for boiling brats? ›

Any beer will do, but pale lagers work best. Boil in the beer bath for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the brats turn white. Once your brats are cooked through, you'll want to sear them to achieve the crispy skin and grill marks we all love.

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How do you know when beer brats are done boiling? ›

How do you know when brats are done boiling? The boiled brats are done boiling and ready to grill or fry when the casing turns white and the brats float. The best way to check this is to see whether a meat thermometer inserted into the center of a brat registers145°F.

Why you shouldn't boil brats before grilling? ›

Sindelar said parboiling speeds up the unfolding process and can result in a mushy meat texture, the development of rubbery casings and separate the casing from the sausage. So, there you have it. It's settled science.

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Should you poke holes in brats before grilling? ›

Preparation. To Grill Bratwursts Like a Brat Grill Master: DON'T POKE HOLES IN YOUR BRATS: If you do, you will watch all that delicious flavor pour onto the bottom of your grill and sizzle away.

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What's the difference between brats and beer brats? ›

A beer brat is when you boil uncooked brats in a couple of cans of beer to fully cook it on the stovetop. Oftentimes, they are finished off on the grill. We truly believe beer brats are superior to any other kind of brat because they are so dang delicious.

Do you poke holes in beer brats? ›

Grill them to get some nice color on them, then add into the skillet with the onions. Add bratwurst and onions into the same skillet along with beer. Note: Do not poke holes in your bratwurst during the cooking process.

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Should you boil brats in beer? ›

Add extra flavor to your brats by cooking in your favorite beer. They'll take on some of the characteristics you love – citrus, hops, malt and more. Try different beers with different brat varieties. Place beer and onions in a large pot and bring to a boil.

How do Germans cook bratwurst? ›

These sausages are meant to be fried and should never be boiled. Boiling the uncooked bratwurst will boil out the spices and destroy the flavor. Oven cooking (as with pellet "barbecues" which are actually ovens) is acceptable but yields a dryer sausage. Start with a cool grill and use medium-low flame.

Can you taste the beer in beer brats? ›

The beer flavor is all through the brats and the onions, loved it!

How long should brats be boiled? ›

Bring to a low boil. Add brats to the pan, cover with a lid and cook over a low swimmer for 10-12 minutes. Preheat a frying pan or grill to medium to medium-high heat. Add cooked brats to frying pan or grill and cook for a few minutes a side until brown & caramelized all over.

How do you know when beer brats are done? ›

You will know the brats are done when an instant-read thermometer shows 160 degrees.

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