Oktoberfest-Style Beef Bratwurst with Red Cabbage

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Grilled bratwurst seasoned with caraway and garlic, served with sweet-sour red cabbage and buttered spaetzle. This german-inspired grilling ready in about 60 minutes pairs links beef bratwurst, caraway seeds, garlic powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 German cuisine 580 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Mix caraway seeds, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in small bowl. Rub evenly over bratwurst.
  2. Step 2: Heat grill or skillet over medium heat. Grill brats for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
  3. Step 3: While brats cook, melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Add sliced onion and sauté for 5 minutes until soft.
  4. Step 4: Stir in shredded red cabbage, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and salt. Simmer covered for 20 minutes until cabbage is tender and sauce has reduced by half.
  5. Step 5: Toss cooked spaetzle with 1/2 tbsp butter and dill. Heat in skillet over medium-low for 2 minutes until lightly toasted.
  6. Step 6: Serve brats with red cabbage, spaetzle, and a sprinkle of extra dill.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Oktoberfest-Style Beef Bratwurst with Red Cabbage take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (25 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Oktoberfest-Style Beef Bratwurst with Red Cabbage?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep links beef bratwurst from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Oktoberfest-Style Beef Bratwurst with Red Cabbage?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Oktoberfest-Style Beef Bratwurst with Red Cabbage for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Oktoberfest-Style Beef Bratwurst with Red Cabbage?

German grilling like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes