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    Home » Specialty Cooking Method » Grilling Recipes » Grilled Bratwurst with Caramelized Onion and Fennel Relish

    Grilled Bratwurst with Caramelized Onion and Fennel Relish

    Published: Jul 29, 2023 by Linda Warren

    Jump to Recipe

    Elevate your grilling game with these rich, juicy grilled bratwurst with caramelized onion and fennel relish. Smoky perfectly grilled bratwurst are topped with a savory blend of sweet caramelized onions with a hint of licorice from fennel that will raise your BBQ game to the next level.

    Overhead of grilled brats on rolls topped with caramelized onion and fennel relish.

    FYI - This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. All links are products I use when making my recipes.

    Table of Contents

    • Extraordinary Grilled Meat Recipes
    • What Makes This Grilled Bratwurst Recipe the One To Make
    • Ingredients
    • Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
    • How to Cut Fennel
    • How to Make Caramelized Onions and Fennel Relish
    • How to Grill Brats
      • How Long to Grill Brats
    • How to Store Grilled Bratwurst Leftovers
    • How to Reheat Grilled Bratwurst
    • How to Store Caramelized Onions
    • Uses for Caramelized Onions and Fennel
    • More Recipes for Grilling the Whole Meal

    Extraordinary Grilled Meat Recipes

    Plain old grilled meat is tasty, but pairing it with a special sauce or topping makes it extraordinary. Why settle for the usual when you can cook meat on the grill and wow your guests with an extra special touch?

    Think salsas flavored with fruit like this grilled mahi with pineapple salsa or grilled chicken with mango salsa, or salsas with vegetables like this grilled salmon with cucumber salsa. Or take tenderloin filets on the grill up a notch with freshly made herb butter. It's all good!

    Closeup holding a bratwurst with relish on a bun.

    What Makes This Grilled Bratwurst Recipe the One To Make

    If you like your hotdogs smothered in flavorful relish this caramelized onion and fennel relish will really put your grilled brats over the top. It's a delicious sweet and savory condiment that packs a punch of flavor and texture that will elevate your simple brats on the grill to a new level.

    Not only does this caramelized onion relish make your bratwurst more delicious but it adds a boost of nutrition in the form of Vitamins A & C too. What a great way to up your barbecue game this summer!

    Ingredients

    For the caramelized onion and fennel relish:

    Ingredients for onion relish.
    • Olive oil
    • Fennel bulbs
    • Red onions
    • White granulated sugar
    • Amber ale
    • Salt & pepper

    For the brats:

    Grilled bratwurst ingredients.
    • Bratwurst (ones that are not cooked or smoked)
    • Bratwurst buns - something sturdy that will hold up to the relish

    Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

    You can substitute the olive oil with avocado oil or vegetable oil. You can make caramelized onions with butter if you prefer caramelized onions without oil.

    The best buns for bratwurst are brat buns or rolls that are larger and sturdier than hot dog buns. They are also called sausage rolls. Look for them at the grocery store in the bread aisle.

    How to Cut Fennel

    How to cut fennel.
    1. Prepare the fennel by cutting off the stalks first.
    2. Turn it around and cut off the root end of the bulb.
    3. Cut the bulb in half.
    4. Then cut it in half again. You are essentially cutting the fennel bulb in quarters.
    Slicing fennel bulb.
    1. Take each quartered section and slice it into thin strips. You can save the stalks and greens for other uses such as soups and stews. Discard the root end.

    How to Make Caramelized Onions and Fennel Relish

    The relish can be made up to 3 days in advance then covered and refrigerated. Prior to serving, let it sit on the counter for an hour to bring it to room temperature.

    Steps to make caramelized onion and fennel relish.
    1. Heat the oil in a large skillet. Add thinly sliced onions, which I like to do with a mandolin, and the sliced fennel.
    2. Stirring often, cook for 20-25 minutes or until onions turn a soft golden brown. Sprinkle with sugar and cook another 5 minutes.
    3. Turn the heat to medium and pour the amber ale over the vegetables.
    4. Simmer for 7-9 minutes or until most of the ale has evaporated. Add a final touch of salt and pepper and set aside.
    Finished relish for brats in bowl.

    Place the fennel and caramelized onion relish in a bowl to serve alongside grilled bratwurst or place each brat on a bun and top with the relish.

    Note: You can also make the relish with chopped or diced onions and fennel to use on hot dogs. Sliced onion and fennel make it a great topping for brats and burgers.

    How to Grill Brats

    Bratwurst cooking on grill.

    Grilling brats is easy to do.

    1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Place the brats on grill and cook for 20 minutes, rotating often until they are browned all over. That's it!

    How Long to Grill Brats

    The brat grill time is generally 20 minutes with the bratwurst cooking temperature being medium-low heat (between 300 and 350°F). They should be grilled until the bratwurst's internal temperature is 160°F. The time can vary depending on the thickness of the sausage.

    Grilled brats dinner with relish, corn and potato salad.

    Top the grilled brats with the caramelized onion and fennel relish and serve with your favorite BBQ sides. I like to accompany mine with potato salad, corn on the cob, and baked beans.

    How to Store Grilled Bratwurst Leftovers

    Place the grilled brats in an airtight container or plastic ziptop bag. Refrigerate them for up to 4 days. To freeze, place them in a freezer-safe container or plastic freezer bag. Freed them for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the fridge overnight.

    How to Reheat Grilled Bratwurst

    There are several methods for reheating leftover grilled bratwurst:

    • Grill: Wrap the brats in aluminum foil and place it on the cooler side of the grill (medium heat) for about 8 minutes.
    • Microwave: Reheat grilled brats in the microwave in 30-second increments. They may splatter so it's a good idea to cover them with parchment paper.
    • Oven: Place them on a baking sheet and bake them at 350°F for about 10 minutes.

    How to Store Caramelized Onions

    Storing leftover caramelized onions is best in glass jars with airtight lids. Place the jars in the refrigerator. It will last up to 2 weeks in the fridge.

    Can you freeze caramelized onions?

    Yes, caramelized onion and fennel relish freezes wonderfully. Place the relish in a freezer-safe container or plastic freezer bag. Freeze it for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight.

    Uses for Caramelized Onions and Fennel

    Make a big batch of the relish and use it as a...

    • Topping for brats, hot dogs, and burgers.
    • Topping for grilled chicken and steak.
    • Topping for patty melts and cheesesteak sandwiches.
    • Topping for crostini with cream cheese or goat cheese.

    More Recipes for Grilling the Whole Meal

    From appetizers to sides to desserts, these are some fantastic recipes for your next cookout:

    • BBQ Chicken Skewers
    • Chorizo Burgers
    • Grilled Corn on the Cob
    • Grilled Fish Tacos
    • Grilled Sour Cream Pound Cake

    Find lots of easy grilling recipes right here on 2CM!

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    Grilled bratwurst with caramelized onion and fennel relish on wooden board.

    Grilled Bratwurst with Caramelized Onion and Fennel Relish

    Savor the earthy and sweet flavor of juicy, perfectly grilled bratwurst covered with a sweet caramelized onion and fennel relish. It will take your BBQ game to the next level.
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    Print Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Servings: 5 servings
    Calories: 499kcal
    Author: Linda Warren

    Equipment

    • Mandolin
    • Large skillet

    Ingredients

    Caramelized Onion and Fennel Relish

    • 2 Tablespoons olive oil avocado oil or vegetable oil
    • 2 fennel bulbs trimmed and sliced thin
    • 2 large red onions sliced thin
    • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
    • 12 ounces amber ale
    • Salt & pepper to taste

    Grilled Bratwurst

    • 5 bratwurst
    • 5 rolls

    Instructions

    Relish (can be made up to 3 days before). Makes 2 cups.

    • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced fennel (see above instructions on how to slice) and onion slices and cook, stirring often, until they are soft and start to brown. It usually takes about 20-25 minutes.
    • Sprinkle in the sugar and continue to cook for 5 more minutes.
    • Turn the heat down to medium and add the ale to the pan. Simmer for 7-9 minutes or until it has reduced and most of the liquid is gone. Salt and pepper to taste.

    Bratwurst

    • Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Cook bratwurst, turning often, until browned and well done. This usually takes about 20 minutes.
    • Serve in rolls topped with relish or serve it on the side with your favorite condiments.

    Notes

    HOW TO REHEAT BRATWURST
    • Grill: Wrap the brats in aluminum foil and place it on the cooler side of the grill (medium heat) for about 8 minutes.
    • Microwave: Reheat grilled brats in the microwave in 30-second increments. They may splatter so it's a good idea to cover them with parchment paper.
    • Oven: Place them on a baking sheet and bake them at 350°F for about 10 minutes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 499kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 891mg | Potassium: 581mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 99IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 69mg | Iron: 12mg

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    Hey, I’m Linda, the recipe creator, photographer and cocktail lover at 2 Cookin Mamas. Here you’ll find easy recipes that are not only delicious but can get you out of the kitchen ASAP. Come and join me and let me take you on a tasty trip through your kitchen. Thanks for stopping by! Learn more about me

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