What to Serve with Bratwurst? 10 BEST Side Dishes

Do you want to know what to serve with bratwurst?

Don't worry; we have ten excellent side dishes you can use to pair with German sausage and enjoy a filling meal.

Bratwurst contains pork and sometimes veal or beef.

While we know that it is absolutely delicious, this food is a favorite because it is easy to make.

The recipes for bratwurst developed around 228 AD, with the first recorded proof in Germany dating back to 1313.

The sausage is versatile, so you can eat it with various side dishes.

Sauerkraut, mustard, and red cabbage are classic sides for bratwurst.

However, check out our top picks below if you wish to make something more unique and substantial.

10 Popular Sides to Serve with Bratwurst

1 - Sauerkraut

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Nothing might be more iconic than serving bratwurst with a bowl of freshly-prepared sauerkraut.

Traditionalists will love this classic side dish that packs a punch of flavor.

Sauerkraut is fermented raw cabbage.

You can buy it from the store or make your own if you plan your bratwurst dinner ahead of time.

It is one of the most popular dishes in Germany, featuring a sour taste because of the lactic acid used in the fermentation process.

You can serve sauerkraut with bratwurst as is or sauté it in oil or butter - or pair it with pork and sauerkraut side ideas for a heartier plate.

Grilling sauerkraut until caramelizing is also another delicious way of eating it.

2 - German Spaetzle

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There are many unique and tasty dishes that German cuisine offers us.

One of them is spaetzle- a chewy, dumpling-like egg noodle pasta.

The dish originated in the Vienna region, where the recipe involved flour-water or bread crumbs dough boiled in meat or vegetable broth before tossing into butter.

The result is a batch of noodles that are moist on the inside and crispy outside.

Whether you're familiar with spaetzle or not, you'll love it with bratwurst.

It only needs four ingredients- milk, eggs, flour, and salt.

You must already have them.

German spaetzle is another classic dish you can serve with bratwurst - and see spaetzle side pairings for meals to expand the plate.

It is one of the best sides to present a filling German meal.

3 - Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Maple Syrup and Balsamic Vinegar

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Another great way to add vegetables to your meal without interrupting your taste is roasted Brussels sprouts with maple syrup and balsamic vinegar.

It is a nice vegan side dish containing Brussels sprouts, Maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, and salt & pepper.

You can use fresh or frozen Brussels sprouts; they are equally healthy and tasty.

Half the sprouts and evenly coat them with the maple syrup and balsamic vinegar mixture.

Bake them at 400 degrees for 20 minutes in the oven.

Try this side with your bratwurst to enjoy a simple yet delicious meal.

For another roasted-vegetable option that complements sweet-and-savory sprouts, try roasted carrots side ideas for balance.

4 - Grilled Corn on the Cob

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Corn on the cob might be considered a popular summer snack.

But they are just as good on a cold day when you want a comforting and hearty meal.

Get as many corns on the cob as needed for your dinner party, shuck them, and start grilling.

We love smearing melted butter on the freshly-grilled corn for that heavenly buttery flavor.

Bratwurst and grilled corn on the cob taste excellent together.

It's the perfect combination for any meal.

Plus, you'd get some fantastic fibers from the corn.

You can also boil or blanch the corn if you don't want to use the grill.

If the menu includes other grilled proteins, grilled swordfish side ideas for seafood offer complementary flavors to corn and sausage.

5 - Amish Macaroni Salad

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Brats taste great with pasta salads.

But don't go for any pasta salad when you can make an Amish macaroni salad - check macaroni salad side pairings to round out the plate.

It features a tangy dressing made from sugar, vinegar, paprika, mayonnaise, and mustard.

For the salad, you'll need elbow macaroni, eggs, celery, onion, and red bell pepper.

You can also add peas, pickles, pineapple, ham, bacon, and shredded carrots to your Amish macaroni salad.

Pick the ingredients based on your flavor preferences; they'll work as long as the taste profiles match.

In case of any leftovers, you can refrigerate this side dish in a sealed container for up to five days.

6 - German Sweet N' Sour Red Cabbage

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If you want to serve something that looks as bright as it tastes, try German sweet n' sour red cabbage - also see sweet and sour side pairings for similar tangy matches.

Also called rotkohl, this traditional German dish shows the savory flavors of the bratwurst and makes the meal healthy and satiating.

It is one of the best side dish options because making this dish takes very little work.

You just have to braise your red cabbage with apples, sugar, red wine vinegar, cloves, and sugar.

Rotkohl is a staple side dish in German cuisine because it goes well with almost anything.

Pair it with your bratwurst to add refreshing flavors and crunch to your meal.

You can even enjoy the leftovers the next day.

7 - German Kartoffelpuffer (Potato Pancakes)

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Potato pancakes and sausages will never disappoint.

Let's call them kartoffelpuffer and bratwursts since we're talking German here.

Perfect for any time of the day, this combination will give you a filling and satisfying meal.

So you can serve them to your guests for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

The recipe contains grated potato, flour or matzo meal, seasoning, onion or garlic, and applesauce or egg as the binding ingredient.

You can top kartoffelpuffer with cottage cheese or sour cream or serve as is.

If you want to cut down the starch, you'll be happy to know that some kartoffelpuffer variations use sweet potatoes.

8 - Homemade Applesauce

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In a hurry? You don't need to whip up a sophisticated side dish to impress your guests.

Buy a jar of applesauce from the store and serve it with bratwursts- everyone will love it.

You can make your own applesauce if you have extra time in the kitchen.

Although the name suggests, applesauce isn't really a sauce.

It is a puree made from sweetened or spiced apples.

Applesauce is very popular in Europe and North America.

This might be a good time to try it if you haven't.

You'll need apples, apple cider (or water), sugar, lemon juice, and spices like allspice and cinnamon.

9 - Grilled Squash and Zucchini

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We're all about fresh flavors and contrasting textures.

One such dish that provides these qualities is grilled squash and zucchini.

You'll only need zucchini, yellow squashes, extra virgin olive oil, garlic powder, dried parsley, and salt.

Substitute dried parsley with oregano or basil if you want.

You can also add some paprika or chili powder to give the side dish a kick of spice.

For a surf-and-turf-style plate, pair the vegetables with grilled shrimp side matchups that echo the charred flavors.

10 - Swabian Kartoffelsalat

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Don't let the name intimidate you.

Swabian kartoffelsalat is just potato salad with a little German twist.

First, you need to use red potatoes with their skin on.

It gives a flavor and texture different than your regular potato salad.

Second, use bacon grease and vinegar for the dressing instead of mayo.

Last, Swabian kartoffelsalat is served warm and not cold.

It's not that hard. Since it is another staple in German cuisine, serving it with bratwurst is only fitting.

Bratwurst vs Frankfurter offers a clear look at sausage differences. bratwurst vs frankfurter comparison and chili party side ideas for entertaining highlight complementary menu choices.