How Long Should You Cook Bratwurst on a Charcoal Grill?

By Avi Green October 06, 2023

Barbecue enthusiasts are always seeking the perfect way to cook their favorite meats, and bratwurst is no exception. The question, 'how long to cook bratwurst on a charcoal grill', is a common one among grilling aficionados. To achieve those perfect grill marks while ensuring the brat is cooked thoroughly, timing is everything.

how long to cook bratwurst on charcoal grill

Preparing Your Charcoal Grill

Before diving into the cooking process, let's talk about setting up your grill. A well-prepared grill is crucial for achieving even and consistent cooking. You can check out this guide for a detailed overview of how to prepare your charcoal grill.

Lighting the Charcoal

First, you'll need to light your charcoal. Arrange the coals in a pyramid shape and use a chimney starter or lighter fluid to ignite them. Once these coals are glowing red and covered with a light layer of gray ash, which usually takes about 10-15 minutes, you're ready to cook.

Setting Up for Direct and Indirect Heat

For the best results, set up your grill for both direct and indirect grilling. This means youll have a hotter area for searing the brats and a cooler area to finish cooking them through. Arrange the coals on one half of the grill, and leave the other half empty. This way, you can move the brats back and forth as needed.

Cooking Bratwurst: The Key Steps

Now, let's get to the main part: cooking the bratwurst. Understanding the right cooking time and methods will make your brats juicy and flavorful.

Pre-Cooking the Brats

Many grillmasters recommend pre-cooking bratwurst in a pot of simmering beer or water before placing them on the grill. This pre-cooking step can take about 10-15 minutes and helps to infuse extra flavor while ensuring the brats are cooked through.

Searing the Bratwurst

Place the pre-cooked bratwursts over the direct heat zone of your grill. Sear them for about 2-3 minutes on each side to get that desirable char and grill marks.

Finishing with Indirect Heat

Next, move the brats to the cooler side of the grill. Let them cook for another 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally. This ensures they cook evenly without burning the exterior.

Checking for Doneness

An essential step in grilling bratwurst is ensuring they are cooked to the appropriate internal temperature. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the brats has reached at least 160F. This confirms that they are safe to eat and cooked through.

Serving Suggestions

Bratwurst is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a variety of sides. Serve them on a toasted bun with mustard, sauerkraut, or grilled onions. Alternatively, enjoy them alongside a potato salad or coleslaw for a classic barbecue meal.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overcooking

One of the most common mistakes is overcooking bratwursts. This can make them dry and tough. Monitoring the internal temperature and moving them to indirect heat can prevent this.

Using Too Much Direct Heat

Another mistake is cooking the brats entirely over direct heat, which can lead to burning the exterior while the inside remains undercooked. Always balance your grilling with both direct and indirect heat.