How to Reheat Cooked Bratwurst [Avoid the Wurst Mistakes!]

Most of your loved ones will expect you to have brats when you invite them over for a barbeque party. Often, the hosts have them in excess to avoid having embarrassing moments, and you can almost be sure there will be leftovers. These can be consumed any day instead of throwing them. But how do you reheat cooked bratwursts?

Brats can be reheated using various techniques, depending on the type of kitchen equipment you own. Such methods include using an oven, a microwave, grill, air fryer, and a stove. You do not have to overcook your brats while reheating.

I will show how you can use these techniques while reheating the bratwurst without drying them up or overcooking. Continue reading.

1. Reheating Cooked Bratwurst in Microwave

Use a microwave if you are in a hurry. Most people, however, consider using a microwave for reheating brats as a bad option. I will show you how to use it to get satisfactory results:

1. Ensure your brats are at room temperature by removing them about 30 minutes before reheating.
2. Place them in a microwave-friendly bowl and add a little water. The water helps prevent your brats from drying up.
3. Place them in the microwave and reheat them on low heat
4. Heat the bratwursts at intervals of 30 seconds while checking their readiness after every 30 seconds.
5. Repeat the process until they reach your desired temperature. A digital kitchen thermometer is handy when checking food temperatures in the kitchen.
6. Remove them from the oven when ready and serve.

Tip: Do not submerge your brats in water. You only use water to prevent drying up. Too much will soak the brats and make them soggy.

2. Reheating Cooked Bratwurst in Oven

Using an oven is an excellent technique because you do not have to worry about your brats drying. When using an oven:

1. Bring your refrigerated brats to room temperature by removing them from the fridge approximately 20-30 minutes before reheating. 
2. Prep your oven by preheating it to 350⁰F.
3. Use a baking sheet to reheat your dish. Arrange the brats on the sheet, ready to bake.
4. Place in the oven and reheat for about 10 minutes. They should be adequately heated after this time.
5. If they have not reached your desired temperature, reheat them for 5 extra minutes.
6. Remove your brats and serve as desired.

Also read our latest blog on How To Reheat Krispy Kreme Donuts

3. Reheating Cooked Bratwurst on Stove

Reheating your brats with a stove is one of the best and easy techniques. The bratwursts become evenly heated while preserving their flavour.

1. Use a pot size relative to the bratwurst you want to reheat. Add water half-full and cover with a lid.
2. Put it on your stove over low heat, and do not let the water boil. You can reduce the heat further.
3. Use a plastic seal bag. It should be heat-resistant to prevent melting.
4. Put your bratwurst in the bag, half full, and carefully seal it.
5. Put the bag with brats inside the pot on the stove
6. Reheat for 5 minutes, ensuring the water does not boil.
7. Remove the bag from the pot and serve your brats. They should be evenly heated and juicy.

4. Reheating Cooked Bratwurst on Grill

It is the last method most people think of when considering reheating options. Not because it is inefficient, but because it is popular with preparing fresh ones.

1. Never reheat your brats before having them reach room temperature. Rest them for about 30 minutes after removing them from the refrigerator.
2. Use aluminum foil to cover the bratwurst in small batches to prevent them from drying.
3. Set your grill on low heat and place the covered brats for slow heating for 5 – 6 minutes.
4. Remove them from the grill and check if they are evenly heated. You can return them for 3 more minutes and serve while still hot.

5. Reheating Cooked Bratwurst in Air Fryer

Air frying is one of the cooking revolutions. It is a hassle-free technique that provides great results when used for reheating bratwurst.

1. Place a slice/ slices of bread to cover the base of the air basket. It helps in preventing your brats from drying up.
2. Arrange the bratwursts in the basket without overloading
3. Place the basket back and heat at 350⁰F.
4. Allow them to heat for 3 – 5 minutes. 
5. Check if they are ready and if not, heat for another one minute.
6. Remove the brats from the fryer and serve as planned.

Tip: it is not mandatory to wait for time to lapse when reheating bratwursts. If you find them ready, remove them and turn off the heat supply to prevent overcooking them.

Conclusion

How long have you been throwing your leftover brats because you didn’t know you could reheat them? It’s time you stop discarding and start enjoying the dish, days after your barbeque party is over.