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    Home » Recipes » Smoker

    Smoked Brats - How to Smoke Brats

    Published: Feb 25, 2022 · Modified: Jan 3, 2025 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

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    Smoked brats combine the great flavors of bratwurst and rich smoke. Smoked bratwurst makes a great addition to any backyard barbecue! This post will show you exactly how to smoke brats.

    A side shot of two smoked brats in a bun with onions and mustard.

    What can you do for those days you want to cook outside but don't feel like standing over a hot grill? The answer is smoking brats! There is nothing like enjoying your brats smoked. They're so good and so easy.

    It doesn't take long to smoke brats at all. This recipe shows you how long to smoke brats and is a definite keeper. We use this easy recipe to serve a few or a crowd. I can't wait for you to try it.

    Smoked Bratwurst

    This was inspired by my smoked hot dogs and smoked bologna recipe and pairs well with this creamy smoked potato salad recipe.

    Smoked Brats Ingredients

    It takes less than a handful of simple ingredients to make these tasty bats!

    Raw Brats on parchment paper and a cutting board to show you how tosmoke brats.
    • Bratwurst
    • Brat buns
    • Whole grain mustard
    • Hickory wood chunks

    See the recipe card at the end of the post for quantities.

    How to Smoke Brats

    It only takes a few simple steps to make these tasty brats. It takes almost no work at all!

    Step 1: Prep

    Preheat the smoker to 225 degrees and add hickory wood chunks that have been soaked in water for about 30 minutes to the hot coals.

    Step 2: How Long to Smoke Brats at 225

    Showing the start of Brats smoked in a smoker.
    Brats smoked in a smoker on 225.

    Place the brats in the smoker and cook them for about an hour cook time or until reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees.

    Step 3: Serve Brats Smoked

    Brats removed from smoker and placed on a white platter showing how long to smoke brats.
    Brats placed on brat buns and topped with whole grain mustard and caramelized onions.

    Serve the fully cooked, smoked brats on brat buns with whole grain mustard.

    Hint: Always be sure to soak your wood chips. You want them to smoke not burn.

    Closeup shot of hand holding smoked brat with bite taken out.

    Substitutions

    Don't have the correct ingredients on hand or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change this smoked bratwurst recipe.

    • Your Favorite Brats - Brats come in all kinds of flavors and varieties. Choose your favorite for this recipe.
    • Dijon Mustard - If you don't have whole grain mustard, Dijon is a great replacement.
    • Hickory Wood - Use apple wood instead.

    Variations

    Want to personalize this smoked brats recipe? Here are some of my tried and true tips for changing up this recipe.

    • Caramelized Onions - Serve these brats topped with caramelized onions for more flavor.
    • Cheese - Try adding a slice of your favorite cheese to these brats.
    • Smoke the Whole Thing - Place the brats in the bun, along with mustard and onions, cheese, or both, if desired, and smoke the entire thing for a couple of minutes to get the buns hot and that smoky flavor even more intense.

    If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy our air fryer brats recipe or these Baked Chili Dogs!

    What to Serve with Brats

    If you're looking for some ideas for what to serve with brats you have some to the right place. We created a list with all of our favorites.

    Storage

    You can store these brats in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for up to 4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze these for up to 3 months.

    Tips

    This recipe is incredibly easy, but I do have a couple of tips to help you make the best brats smoked that you possibly can.

    • Always soak your wood chips for at least 30 minutes to ensure they smoke instead of just burning up.
    • Once your brats are in the smoker, keep the lid closed until it's time to check them. Keep all that smoke where it belongs!

    FAQ

    Do you have questions about smoked brats? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about smoked bratwurst.

    How long are cooked brats good?

    They'll last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer.

    How do I freeze cooked brats?

    Wrap the brats tightly in a double layer of cling wrap. Then place them in an air-tight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag.

    How do I defrost them?

    Leave them in the refrigerator overnight to defrost.

    Is it okay for brats to be a little pink?

    Absolutely. Brats are made with salt, which can make them retain some pink color rather than turning completely gray. As long as the internal temperature is correct, you'll be fine.

    How long to smoke brats at 225?

    Preheat the smoker to 225 degrees and place the brats inside and cook them for about an hour or until reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees.

    Half of a plate of smoked brats showing how long to smoke brats at 225..

    More Sausage Recipes

    Do you like sausage? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.

    • Honey Sriracha Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner with Vegetables
      Honey Sriracha Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner with Vegetables
    • Sausage balls without bisquick on white plate on top of a wire rack on the table.
      Best Sausage Balls Without Bisquick
    • A plate of sausage potato casserole on the table ready to eat.
      Cheesy Sausage Potato Casserole

    Smoked Brats

    Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.

    Closeup of a smoked brat on a bun with onions and mustard.

    Smoked Brats - How to Smoke Brats

    Karin and Ken
    Smoked brats are an easy recipe perfect for any day of grilling. These smoked bratwurst are full of flavor, not work!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 1 minute min
    Cook Time 1 hour hr
    Course Appetizer, Main Course
    Cuisine American, German
    Servings 6
    Calories 428 kcal

    Equipment

    • 2-3 hickory wood chunks
    • smoker
    • Tongs
    • platter

    Ingredients
      

    • 6 bratwurst links
    • 6 brat buns
    • whole grain mustard

    Topping, if desired

    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 1 onion, sliced
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Get out your ingredients.
    • Preheat your smoker to 225°F and toss a few wood chunks onto hot coals for smoking.
    • Place brats in your smoker.
    • Cook until the internal temperature reaches 155°F, about 1 hour.
    • Remove brats from smoker and place on platter.
    • Serve brats in brat buns with whole grain mustard and caramelized onions. If you're looking for some ideas on what to serve with brats you have come to the right place.
    • Enjoy every bite!

    Quick Caramelized Onions

    • I just sauté onions with butter in a skillet over medium high heat until translucent and starting to brown around edges. We love these onions on these brats with mustard.

    Notes

    • Always soak your wood chips for at least 30 minutes to ensure they smoke instead of just burning up.
    • Once your brats are in the smoker, keep the lid closed until it's time to check them. Keep all that smoke where it belongs!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 428kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 16gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 915mgPotassium: 350mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 13IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 131mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword brat, bratwurst
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    A bite missing from a smoked brat on a plate.
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