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What To Serve With Bratwurst Sausages – Top Favorite Simple Sides
by: Lydia Fulson / Writer, Artist, Traveler, Granddaughter & Ever-Learning German Cook
Bratwurst sausages are the pride of German cuisine. When you think Germany, you think bratwurst! Maybe even bratwurst and sauerkraut? Well, here you can find sauerkraut recipes and more sides to serve with your favorite sausage recipe!
What to serve with bratwursts? Hmm. It sure can be difficult to decide. Feeling a salad, maybe? Or perhaps a classic veg and potato combination.
Keep on scrolling, and you can find all of those and more! If you find something that catches your eye, simply follow the links and get cooking!
In that picture above, you can see my very own bratwursts made in the air fryer! I used the Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven. Making these in the fryer took no time at all and tasted so wunderbar with sauerkraut on the side.
You can't start creating a meal if you don't have a good German bratwurst recipe to start with, after all, so give this one a go!
I love to have bratwurst during the summer over the fire. It's one of my favorite parts of the season. But why we love these so much is simply because of how easy and quickly they can be ready for eating. There are so many ways to make them and even more options to serve them with!
Never had bratwurst before? Think 'bigger and better hot dogs'. Paired with some good German mustard or BBQ sauce and it's irresistible.
If you're looking for something more traditional but equally as delicious, try this one out. Oma's grilled bratwurst recipe. Grilled, fried, boiled … there are so many ways to enjoy brats, and even more sides to go with them!
Let's get started on some delicious side dishes!
Salad Sides
Everyone loves a classic German salad. Bratwurst and salad is a very common combination. So, let's check some out!
1. Northern German Potato Salad
As you can see in the photo above, and this one too, potato salad recipes are served OFTEN alongside bratwurst. You can find these two served together, especially in northern Germany, the creamy ones. It's a German staple! It's so traditional and popular, but for good reason. They pair so nicely!
Enjoy the creaminess of the potatoes with the perfect kick of dill. I can guarantee that this will be a hit. It certainly is one in our family and is one of the greatest known bratwurst side dishes.
2. Sauerkraut Salad
Now, this is a German salad! This sauerkraut salad is what you want if you're looking to make the perfect German meal. Nothing says German quite like brats and sauerkraut, right?
This salad is another one that works well with just about any meat. Not only is it super good for you and your immune system, but it's guaranteed to please everyone with its color and bold flavors.
This salad could be spotted all over German towns during Oktoberfest time. But there's no reason this lovely salad can't be enjoyed any time of the year. I mean, it's just perfect for the summer season!
3. Tomato Salad
Oma's tomato salad recipe is one of those salads that pairs greatly with just about anything, and let's not forget to talk about that amazing color. It looks like summer in a bowl! Barbecue your brats and make this on the side for a real summery treat.
Make this with fresh garden tomatoes, or even cherry tomatoes. This makes it easier if you want to use it as a salsa.
We love eating this salad as salsa by scooping it onto tortilla chips. It's such a versatile recipe. The kick of flavor from the balsamic vinegar and the fresh juiciness from the tomatoes is unbeatable.
4. Southern German Potato Salad
This is an interesting one that I had never heard of until Oma introduced it. Another German potato salad, but it's not just a regular potato salad, this time, it's a warm potato salad. It's also considered one of the best sides in southern Germany.
Trust me, warm salad isn't a bad thing, you'll figure that out when you try this wunderbar recipe. It may be warm, but it sure is refreshing, believe it or not.
It gives off this comforting feeling. The same that some say bratwurst does. It will bring those wunderbar memories of being back in Germany enjoying bratwurst and traditional salad with your family.
Honorable Salad Mentions
Potatoes and Noodles
Potato dishes and noodles are a big part of German culture. Potatoes especially! So, let's look at a few favorites.
5. German Spätzle
German Spätzle is an interesting one and one to mention for sure! This recipe is very popular in southern parts of Germany, just like the warm potato salad.
This is traditionally made using a spaetzle press for the best results. I would almost resemble it to a cheese grater. It's a contraption that has a flat surface with tons of little holes to push the dough through to make funky-shaped noodles. It may seem tricky at first, but the end result is worth it ... and the best part ... the taste!
This egg noodle dish is one of the best side dishes out there.
6. Potato Pancakes
Potato pancakes and bratwurst will give you that 'breakfast for dinner feeling'. Our family loves having mixes like this for dinner. Some type of German sausage and applesauce on the side as well. Homemade applesauce is even better!
This is truly an authentic German recipe to make. These only take minutes to make and are such an easy side to prep and throw together. Shred with a grater or blend, it's up to you, the chef to find your favorite way of making them!
7. Sweet Potatoes
My air-fried sweet potato recipe is one that I often make as a snack because it's just that good. I made these in the Instant Vortex Air Fryer Oven, so this one's for all you air fryer lovers out there! But have no fear, these can be made just as easily in the oven,
It just takes a few easy steps to make. Simply brush with olive oil, sprinkle seasonings, lay on an air fryer pan, and VOILÀ ... delicious sweet potatoes! The brush of olive oil gives the skin such an irresistible crispness.
This may not be one of those traditional German sides, but it's a hard one not to mention. Not only are they easy, but there's so much to do with sweet potatoes. Try making sweet potato fries with any leftover potatoes!
Who can resist french fries?
Honorable Potato & Noodle Mentions
Veggie Sides
Now, let's add vegetables into the mix. Keep going to get to that yummy sauerkraut we mentioned earlier!
8. Brussels Sprouts
Here we have my Aunt Sylvie's Brussels sprouts with balsamic vinegar and maple syrup. This recipe is so delightfully yummy, and it's vegan! Use frozen or fresh Brussels if you wish. Both taste just as good as the other.
Try these with your bratwurst for a real lecker and simple meal. These Brussels are made with just four ingredients! It doesn't get much better than that.
Looking for another vegan Brussels recipe? Check out Oma's Brussels sprouts recipe, and cut out the bacon, and there you have another perfectly snack-able recipe.
9. Oma's German Red Cabbage
This German red cabbage recipe sure is one of a kind. You've never had anything quite as good as German red cabbage! Cabbage is something that goes with anything and can be found anywhere in Germany. Whether it be sour red cabbage, cooked with sweet apples, or jarred. It's a hit. In our family, it's one of those popular side dishes that we can't go without!
Oma's red cabbage quickly became one of my all-time favorite recipes when I was very young. She would always serve this, and I was skeptical, but now I eat it like candy! I often find myself making it as a late-night snack.
Red cabbage is also one of those recipes where the leftovers taste just as good. So when you feel a little full at dinnertime, you can wait until first thing the next day and you can have some more!
10. Sauerkraut
Finally, the classic you've been waiting for. A MUST have at your dinner table. The one and only German sauerkraut!
It's no surprise as to why sauerkraut is so popular. Prepping and cooking this side dish is such an easy task. No stress in the kitchen for this one! Can you taste it beside your bratwurst sausage already? YUM!
Sauerkraut recipes go back for centuries in Germany, but Oma's is one that is always guaranteed to impress. Speaking of great sauerkraut recipes.. Got leftovers? Make German sauerkraut casserole! No food goes to waste in Oma's kitchen.
Honorable Veg Sides
I'll say those all look really good, and perfectly approved to serve with german sausage. No matter which you choose, know that they will all be loved and enjoyed!
Time to get cooking, frying, and snacking along the way ;) Just follow the links, get your favorite apron out and enjoy some kitchen time!
Comments? Questions?
You can leave a comment about this recipe or ask a question...
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Meet with us around Oma's virtual table, pull up a chair, grab a coffee and a piece of Apfelstrudel, and enjoy the visit.
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