Easy Summer Grilling Bratwurst with Video

It’s almost Memorial Day, which means it’s time to break out the grill and ease into Summer with a weekend of friends, family, and Bratwurst on the grill! This is the time of year to celebrate fresh air, sunshine, and food that makes your body feel good. And if I don’t have to clean my kitchen as much because we’re using the grill – score!

This blog post was created in partnership with Grass Roots COOP and may contain affiliate links. All ideas, creations, and opinions are my own.

You know what’s funny? I feel as though nearly every post I have is me spilling some deep dark secret and telling you how I once didn’t like something and now I do. Anyone else picking up on that trend? Not sure if it’s pointing out how closed minded I was growing up, or if I am really just stumbling onto some true greatness. This time is no different – only I know I actually stumbled onto greatness. 

Subscription boxes are all the rage right now. There are so many of them popping up everywhere. I love the food ones because, I’m a foodie and anything that suggests to make meals easier to plan for this family is music to my ears. However, the trouble with most subscription boxes that are food focused is that they only provide enough food for a family of four, or you’re paying out the wazoo for it. That doesn’t help me at all. I might as well go to Whole Foods and keep throwing stuff in a skillet with fingers crossed.

But the other day I was scrolling through Instagram – my favorite platform by far – and came across a company called Grass Roots Coop. They had adorable pictures of cows and chickens, so obviously I was hooked. So I started looking deeper. Turns out, they are a multi-family farm subscription box company that ships meat. I don’t know if I’ve been living in a cave, but the whole idea of shipping meat (never mind the genius subscription box style) never occurred to me as something that was possible. After some research, I decided to contact the lovely folks at Grass Roots and give it a try.

Excuse me while I’m over here wiping the drool off my face. I come from a family of farmers and have a father that is a butcher. I know quality when I see it – folks, this is quality meat.

Still I was a bit hesitant. I’ve never been a huge fan of Bratwurst. I think the resemblance to kielbasa has always been too close for comfort for me. Times in the past that I’ve had Bratwurst, it’s been dry and chunky. Does that make sense? It just wasn’t pleasing. So it was an act of God that I decided to order some Bratwurst in my first case from Grass Roots.

This time though… 

That first bite of soft, juicy, fresh Bratwurst was enough to change my mind forever. Keeping the integrity of the meat in mind, I grabbed some fresh Summer vegetables for the grill and made rolls from scratch. The whole trio of flavor was just … ugh. I can’t even. I’m going to get off track. What was I saying?

What is Bratwurst?

Bratwurst is typically a cased combination of spices and ground pork or veal. Bratwurst originated in Germany long ago and was typically a winter meat. German farmers would take the pieces of meat typically considered “scrap” and case it together in an attempt to not be wasteful and keeping their bodies fueled in the winter months when they were living on “leftovers”. Literally translated Bratwurst means a mixture and without waste.

How to cook Bratwurst?

Bratwurst, while created for the colder months, is certainly a Summer time staple. Taking only 10-15 minutes on the grill and paired with almost anything, the simplicity and ability to be enhanced by herbs, spices, and the summer time favorite – melted cheese, makes it an easy and delicious choice when throwing a weekend get together with friends and family. Pair them with a mixture of vegetables, a cheese sauce, more meat like bacon, or even cut and added to pasta and it’s a winner-winner Bratwurst dinner!

My Favorite Tools for the Job

I feel like this kind of goes without saying based on what I’ve shared with you. But seriously, if you want to have legitimate, healthy, good for you food, and help families of farmers – check out Grass Roots Coop. They’ve cut out the middle man and low standards set by chain stores to be able to deliver super fresh meat right to your door.

Other Delicious Bratwurst Recipes

• Grilled Sauerkraut Stuffed Brats
• Beer Brats
• Instant Pot Brats and Sauerkraut

Easy Summer Grilling Bratwurst Recipe

See what I mean? Super easy and super delicious! I can hear those dogs barking now and calling my name. I’m seriously having some issues over here concentrating enough to finish this post. I am pretty sure I even forgot some things I wanted to share with you. But, I don’t care. I want to be done and go eat these – again. So, you should probably be done too and go order a box. Don’t forget to include some of the Forested Bratwurst in your custom box.

I would love if after you try this recipe, because I know you will, go ahead and rate the recipe with 5 stars! Leave me any comments or questions below and I’ll be happy to answer them. Then head over to Instagram and tag me in your stories @theKatieMChase and show me how you’ve made the recipe.