Wondering what to serve with brats? Whether you’re grilling bratwurst on a bun, making beer brats, or serving bratwurst with sauerkraut, here are a variety of delicious, crowd-pleasing side dishes. These ideas will keep your meals fresh and interesting so you’ll never have to wonder what to eat with brats again.
Bratwurst pairs well with a wide range of sides: salads, potatoes, slaws, grilled vegetables, and flavorful condiments. Below are favorite recipes organized by category to help you plan a satisfying meal.
Potatoes and potato salad sides for bratwurst
A bratwurst dinner often benefits from a comforting potato side. Here are several tasty potato-based ideas.
Dill Potato Salad
Creamy and cool, this dill potato salad blends mayo and sour cream for rich texture and bright herb flavor—an all-time favorite alongside grilled brats.
Pesto Potato Salad
This Italian take uses basil pesto for a herby twist on classic potato salad. Use homemade pesto or a quality store-bought version for quick prep.
Crispy Potato Pancakes
These easy potato pancakes (deruny) are grated, mixed with onion, and pan-fried to golden crispness—great with a dollop of sour cream alongside bratwurst.
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Buttery Yukon Golds mashed with roasted garlic make a simple, comforting side that pairs perfectly with bratwurst for a more traditional meal.
Oven Roasted Potatoes
Crispy on the outside and tender inside, roasted potatoes can cook in the oven while the brats finish on the grill—easy and satisfying.
Salads to serve with brats
Light, refreshing salads provide contrast to the richness of bratwurst. Try these global-inspired salads to add bright flavors and textures.
Creamy Cucumber Salad
A Hungarian-style cucumber salad made with sour cream and dill—cool, tangy, and a perfect foil for hot sausages.
Raw Zucchini Salad with Lemon Caper Vinaigrette
Thinly sliced raw zucchini tossed with lemon, capers, herbs, and almonds for a bright, 15-minute side that complements grilled brats nicely.
Garbanzo Bean Salad with Tomato and Cucumber
Quick to assemble from canned chickpeas, tomatoes, cucumber, herbs, and feta—this hearty salad is refreshing and filling.
Nectarine Salad with Tomatoes and Herbs
Sweet nectarines and juicy tomatoes tossed with honey and red wine vinegar make a summer-forward salad that pairs beautifully with grilled sausages.
Ottolenghi Green Bean Salad
Green beans, red pepper, capers, and plenty of herbs with lemon dressing offer a bright, tangy counterpoint to rich bratwurst.
Mango Slaw
A tropical slaw with mango, crunchy cabbage, and a ginger-lime dressing—lively and refreshing with grilled brats.
Corn and Shishito Pepper Salad with Lime Dressing
Smoky blistered shishitos and fresh corn with a tangy lime dressing bring a fusion of flavors that complement bratwurst well.
Italian Mixed Greens Salad
A simple insalata mista with balsamic vinaigrette is a clean, easy option—serve brats on the side or on top for a streamlined dinner.
Strawberry Arugula Salad
Fresh strawberries, basil, and mint add bright sweetness and herbaceous notes—perfect for a summer barbecue spread.
Traditional Greek Salad
Chunky tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and big hunks of feta make a crisp, bold salad that stands up well to bratwurst.
Sugar Snap Pea Salad
Crunchy snap peas and peppery radishes with a lemony yogurt dressing make a fresh springtime side for grilling season.
Peach Salad with Prosciutto and Mozzarella
Juicy peaches, prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, and a basil vinaigrette form a sweet-savory salad that lifts the meal.
Grilled Vegetable Salad with Charred Lemon Vinaigrette
While the brats cook, grill vegetables and char a lemon to make a smoky vinaigrette—an ideal way to use the grill for both protein and sides.
Vegetable bratwurst side dishes
Think beyond the usual barbecue sides—these vegetable-forward dishes add variety and interest to a bratwurst dinner.
Corn Cakes with Jalapeño and Cilantro
Pillowy, gluten-free corn cakes with jalapeño and cilantro bring a touch of Southwestern flavor and are great alongside smoky brats.
Sautéed Beet Greens
Don’t discard beet greens—quickly sautéed with garlic and red pepper, they make an effortless, flavorful substitute for cabbage or sauerkraut.
Charred Broccoli with Calabrian Chile, Feta and Lemon Yogurt Sauce
Charred broccoli tossed with Calabrian chile, feta, and a lemony yogurt sauce offers smoky heat and creamy tang—great with grilled sausages.
Southern Corn Succotash
This classic succotash highlights sweet corn and lima beans for a comforting, summery side that fits any barbecue menu.
Roasted Beets with Goat Cheese and Orange Vinaigrette
Warm roasted beets absorb an orange vinaigrette and are finished with goat cheese and mint for a vibrant, elegant side.
Appetizers
If you want a more casual meal or a starter spread, these dips and small bites pair perfectly with bratwurst and chips or a vegetable platter.
Dill Pickle Dip
This tangy, creamy dip made with chopped dill pickles is terrific with wavy potato chips and makes a playful companion to grilled brats.
Elote Dip (Mexican Street Corn Dip)
Creamy corn mixed with cotija, mayo, sour cream, and lime—serve as a dip or a side for bold, familiar flavors.
Old Fashioned Pimento Cheese
Pimento cheese is a Southern party classic—quick to make in a food processor and perfect with crackers, chips, or soft pretzels alongside brats.
Bratwurst toppings and condiments
Toppings can elevate a simple bratwurst. Beyond the usual onions and mustard, try one of these creative options.
Obatzda German Cheese Spread
This Bavarian cheese spread, flavored with beer and paprika, is delicious smeared on a bun instead of a traditional condiment.
Quick Refrigerator Pickles
Homemade quick pickles are easy to prepare and add crisp acidity that brightens each bite of bratwurst.
Fresh Mango Habanero Salsa
A sweet-and-spicy mango habanero salsa adds tropical heat and brightness—excellent spooned over grilled bratwurst.
Blistered Shishito Peppers
Quickly blistered shishitos have a smoky, mild heat—chop and pile them onto brats for a tasty, pepper-forward topping.
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