Imagine tender, juicy bratwurst, bursting with savory flavor, and ready on your table in under 20 minutes. Sounds like a dream, right? With the magic of your Instant Pot, it’s an everyday reality! These Beer-Infused Instant Pot Brats are the ultimate solution for quick, delicious dinners, offering all the satisfying taste of grilled brats without the hassle of firing up the grill. Even if beer isn’t your preference, we’ve got you covered with equally delicious alternatives to ensure everyone can enjoy this incredibly easy and flavorful recipe.

Instant Pot brats on hot dog buns with sauerkraut, on a parchment paper covered tray.

Perfect Instant Pot Brats: Juicy, Flavorful & Ready in Minutes

Say goodbye to lengthy grilling sessions and unpredictable outdoor cooking. This Instant Pot bratwurst recipe brings the beloved flavor of perfectly cooked brats indoors, making them accessible any night of the week, no matter the weather. Our method ensures each brat is beautifully browned on the outside and incredibly tender and juicy on the inside, infused with a rich, malty beer flavor (or your preferred alternative). Get ready to transform your weeknight meals with this unbelievably simple, yet satisfying, dish.

Why This Instant Pot Bratwurst Recipe is a Game-Changer

Forget the myth that you need a grill for outstanding brats. The Instant Pot revolutionizes how we cook these savory sausages, delivering exceptional results with minimal effort. Here’s what makes this recipe truly special:

Effortless & Lightning-Fast Cooking: Traditional brats can take time and attention. This Instant Pot method condenses the cooking process significantly, getting perfectly cooked brats on your plate in less than 20 minutes from start to finish. It’s ideal for busy weeknights when time is of the essence but you still crave a hearty, home-cooked meal.
The Ultimate Texture Combination: We start by sautéing the brats directly in the Instant Pot. This crucial step creates that desirable, crisp, golden-brown casing, mimicking the sear you’d get from a grill. Following this, they are pressure-cooked in a savory liquid, ensuring the interior becomes incredibly tender and juicy, never dry or rubbery.
Deep Flavor Infusion: Steaming the brats in a bath of light beer (or broth) allows them to absorb a remarkable depth of flavor. The beer imparts a subtle, malty richness that elevates the taste profile, making each bite an experience. This isn’t just about cooking; it’s about infusing.
All-Weather Convenience: Whether it’s scorching summer or a frigid winter evening, your Instant Pot delivers perfectly cooked brats without worrying about the elements. No need to brave the cold or humidity; delicious brats are always within reach.
Minimal Cleanup: As a one-pot meal (mostly!), cleanup is significantly reduced compared to grilling and stovetop cooking. More time enjoying your meal, less time scrubbing dishes!

Essential Ingredients for Succulent Brats

This recipe shines with just a few key components. Choosing the right ingredients and understanding their roles will ensure your brats are nothing short of spectacular.

Bratwurst Selection: Size Matters

For this recipe, we specifically tested and perfected the cooking times using regular-sized bratwursts. These are typically found in standard packages at your local grocery store. If you opt for jumbo-sized brats from a butcher or specialty market, be aware that the cooking time may need to be adjusted. Jumbo brats are thicker and denser, requiring more time under pressure to cook through properly. While we recommend sticking to regular sizes for the guaranteed results of this recipe, feel free to experiment with larger brats, adding a few extra minutes to the pressure cooking time and checking for doneness.

The Liquid Foundation: Beer or Broth

The choice of liquid is where a significant portion of your bratwurst’s flavor will come from. Steaming them in liquid inside the Instant Pot is what makes them incredibly tender and juicy, while also infusing them with an extra layer of deliciousness.

Beer (Light Lager or Pilsner Recommended): Using beer for steaming is a classic method for a reason. The malty notes from a light lager or pilsner beautifully complement the savory pork, creating a rich, deep flavor profile without being overpowering. It tenderizes the meat and adds an authentic German-inspired touch. For an even more robust beer flavor, consider a non-alcoholic beer alternative if you prefer to avoid alcohol, or even a darker beer for a bolder taste, though these may alter the overall profile.
Alternatives for Non-Beer Fans: If beer isn’t your preference, don’t worry! You can achieve fantastic results with other liquids.

Beef Broth: Offers a rich, savory depth that pairs wonderfully with pork bratwurst, enhancing its natural flavors.
Chicken Broth: Provides a lighter, yet still flavorful, base. It’s a great choice if you want the brats to retain more of their inherent taste without strong additional notes.
Water: While less flavorful than beer or broth, water will still steam the brats to perfection, ensuring they are tender and juicy. It’s a neutral option that allows the bratwurst’s inherent flavor to shine, perfect for those who want to keep it simple or customize extensively with toppings.

Important Tip: Regardless of your choice, always use the amount of liquid specified in the recipe. Too little liquid can cause a “burn” warning on your Instant Pot, disrupting the cooking process.

Butter: For the Perfect Sear

A small amount of butter is used to sauté the brats before pressure cooking. This step is essential for developing a beautiful, golden-brown crust and locking in flavor. The butter adds a rich, unctuous quality that makes the brats even more appealing.

Overhead view of Instant Pot brats in a white bowl on a wooden serving paddle.

Chef’s Tips for Instant Pot Bratwurst Perfection

While this recipe is straightforward, a few expert tips can elevate your Instant Pot brats from good to truly exceptional.

Know Your Instant Pot: Just like conventional ovens, Instant Pot models can vary slightly in performance. The first couple of times you make this recipe, pay close attention to the cooking process. If your brats aren’t quite as tender as you’d like, or if the browning needs adjustment, feel free to tweak the cooking times slightly for your specific appliance. A minute or two can make all the difference.
Amplify the Flavor:
- Aromatic Additions: For an incredible flavor boost, add diced onions, minced garlic, or even some thinly sliced bell peppers directly to the liquid under the trivet before pressure cooking. These aromatics will steam alongside the brats, infusing them with extra layers of taste.
- Sauerkraut Boost: If you love the tangy kick of sauerkraut, place a layer of it under the trivet with the liquid. The brats will cook above it, soaking up its delicious flavors. For an even richer taste, you can briefly sauté the sauerkraut with a little butter or bacon fat before adding it to the pot.
- Pre-Cook Marinade: To lock in even more beer flavor, consider letting your brats soak in the beer (or broth) for an hour or two in the refrigerator before cooking. This acts as a quick marinade, allowing the flavors to penetrate deeper into the meat.
To Sear or Not to Sear (Pre-Cooking): We recommend sautéing the brats first for that crispy casing. However, if you’re truly short on time, you can skip this step and go straight to pressure cooking. The brats will still be tender and juicy, but they won’t have the same browned exterior. You can always quick-sear them after pressure cooking if you prefer.
Do NOT Puncture Your Brats: Resist the urge to poke holes or cut your bratwurst before cooking. This allows the delicious juices and fats to escape, leading to drier, less flavorful sausages. The Instant Pot’s pressure cooking method ensures even cooking without needing to puncture the casings.
Serving Suggestions Galore:
- Classic Pairing: Serve your brats on toasted hot dog buns, slathered with your favorite mustard (Dijon, stone-ground, or honey mustard all work beautifully) and topped with caramelized onions, sautéed peppers, or a generous heap of warm sauerkraut.
- Creative Toppings: Experiment with toppings like relish, chili, shredded cheese, pico de gallo, or even a homemade beer cheese sauce for an indulgent twist.
- Perfect Sides: Round out your meal with classic sides such as potato salad, coleslaw, French fries, a simple green salad, or corn on the cob. For a heartier option, consider serving them alongside mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables.
Storage and Reheating: Leftover Instant Pot brats make for excellent next-day meals. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can gently warm them in a pan on the stovetop, in the microwave, or even slice them and add them to soups or casseroles.

Frequently Asked Questions About Instant Pot Brats

Got questions? We’ve got answers to help you master your Instant Pot brat cooking experience.

Can I use frozen bratwurst in the Instant Pot?

Yes, you can cook frozen brats in the Instant Pot, but the method needs to be adjusted. You’ll reverse the order of steps: first, pressure cook the frozen brats (we recommend increasing the pressure cooking time to 8-10 minutes for frozen), then remove the liquid and sauté them in melted butter to get that desirable brown crust. It’s generally best to use thawed brats for optimal texture and flavor as described in this recipe, but frozen is doable in a pinch.

What kind of beer is best for Instant Pot brats?

A light lager or pilsner is generally recommended as it provides a subtle, malty flavor that enhances the bratwurst without overpowering it. However, you can experiment with other beers! A stout or porter will offer a deeper, richer, slightly roasted flavor, while an ale might add fruity or hoppy notes. Choose a beer you enjoy drinking, as its flavor will be infused into the brats.

How do I get a really good sear on my brats?

The key to a good sear is to ensure your Instant Pot is sufficiently hot on the “Sauté” setting and that you don’t overcrowd the pot. Work in batches if necessary to give each brat enough space to brown properly. Don’t rush the browning step – allow 2-3 minutes per side until they achieve a nice golden-brown color.

Can I prepare these brats ahead of time?

Absolutely! Instant Pot brats are excellent for meal prep. You can cook a batch and store them in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, simply reheat them gently on the stovetop, in the oven, or even briefly in the Instant Pot again with a little liquid until warmed through. They’re perfect for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week.

What if I don’t have an Instant Pot trivet?

The trivet is useful for keeping the brats out of the liquid while they pressure cook, ensuring they steam rather than boil directly in the liquid. If you don’t have the official Instant Pot trivet, you can use a steamer basket, a heat-safe metal rack, or even coil up a long piece of aluminum foil into a ring to create a makeshift elevated platform. Just ensure it’s stable and keeps the brats above the liquid.

If you loved this recipe as much as we did, don’t forget to leave us a review below. ★ Follow Easy Healthy Recipes on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram, too!

For more delicious recipes, visit our sister sites, 40 Aprons and Easy Cheap Recipes.

Instant Pot Brats

Prep:

5 minutes

Cook:

15 minutes

Total:

20 minutes

Beer-infused Instant Pot brats are tender, juicy, and full of flavor. Best of all, they’re ready to eat in less than 20 minutes, so they’re perfect for quick dinners on busy evenings. Don’t worry if you’re not a beer fan, we’ve included alternate ingredients for you!

Cheryl Malik

Print Recipe

5 brats

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
5 bratwursts (1 package, see Notes)
1 cup light beer (or beef broth)

Equipment

Instant Pot
Instant Pot trivet

Instructions

Add butter to your Instant Pot and set it to Sauté on High. Once the butter has melted and begins to bubble, add the bratwurst. Cook until they are nicely browned, which should take approximately 2 to 3 minutes per side.
Carefully remove the browned brats from the Instant Pot. Place the trivet inside the pot, then arrange the brats on top of the trivet. Pour the beer or beef broth into the bottom of the pot, ensuring the liquid is below the brats.
Secure the lid on your Instant Pot and set the sealing valve to the “Sealing” position. Set the Instant Pot to Manual High Pressure for 6 minutes. The cooking time will begin once the pot has pressurized. After the cook time finishes, allow a Natural Pressure Release for 10 minutes. Then, carefully perform a Quick Release for any remaining pressure. Serve your perfectly cooked brats as desired!

Notes

This recipe was developed and tested using regular-sized bratwurst, not jumbo brats.
For optimal juiciness and flavor, avoid cutting or poking holes in the bratwurst casings before cooking.
Always use thawed bratwurst for this specific cooking method. If using frozen brats, you will need to adjust the cooking process (see FAQ section above for guidance).

Nutrition Information

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

More Instant Pot Recipes You’ll Love

Instant Pot Chicken Paprikash
Boiled Peanuts in the Instant Pot
Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup
Perfect Instant Pot Bacon
Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage